16-04-2025
Tennessee lawmakers file Memphis Shelby Schools 'hostile takeover' at last minute
A House Democrat is calling a move by Republicans to replace an elected school board with a state-appointed board a "hostile takeover." (Photo: Karen Pulfer Focht)
With only days remaining in the 2025 Tennessee session, Shelby County lawmakers filed new legislation Tuesday that critics call a 'hostile takeover' of Memphis Shelby County Schools by the state.
The bills sponsored by Rep. Mark White of East Memphis and Sen. Brent Taylor of Shelby County would create a state-appointed board with authority over the locally-elected school board on budgets, contracts, policy and potentially allow district directors and board members to be replaced. White's bill isn't to be taken up until the legislature approves a budget for next year, and Taylor's version was deferred until April 21, then scheduled for Wednesday.
I'm disappointed in the tactics that have been used to gain control of the schools. This wholesale takeover is not good for business.
– Rep. Joe Towns, D-Memphis
Liz Marable, president of United Education Association of Shelby County, called the bills a 'worst-case scenario' because the state could subvert voters' decisions.
'We have so many positive things going on every day in our school district, and the state has shown that they are not in the business of running schools well,' Marable said, referring to the state's failed Achievement School District. 'I just feel like this is another version of the state trying to take over a local school district.'
Democratic Rep. Joe Towns of Memphis labeled the situation a 'hostile takeover.'
'I'm disappointed in the tactics that have been used to gain control of the schools,' Towns said. 'This wholesale takeover is not good for business.'
Towns acknowledged he isn't satisfied with students' performance, but he said if the state starts overseeing Memphis schools, it could broaden that to cover every district in Tennessee.
Tennessee planning $6 million audit of Memphis Shelby schools
Memphis leaders have been fighting the proposal for months, even as White has said action is needed to solve a 'decades-old issue of underperformance.'
In addition to the state 'takeover,' lawmakers are putting $6 million in next year's budget for a forensic audit of the school district.
Both bills create a state-appointed oversight board that would oversee operations of low-performing school systems for at least three to four years. The measures don't name Memphis Shelby County Schools, but the district is clearly the target, even though the law could be used to go after other school districts.
The state-appointed board would hold authority over district budgets, contracts exceeding $50,000 and under-used and vacant school properties.
Besides establishment of an advisory board, the Senate bill allows the state education commissioner to recommend that the district director and board members be replaced. The commissioner also could propose schools be put under a charter group.
Under White's bill, the governor would appoint four members and the speakers of the House and Senate would select two members each, all of whom must reside in the school district's county. The Senate version would give state leaders seven appointments and allow the Shelby County mayor or a designee to serve on the board. Under that version, the board would remain in place for at least four years and would end only if the state education commissioner decides the school district has made 'sufficient progress.'
Tennessee lawmakers push Memphis-Shelby schools takeover
In addition to veto authority over district budgets, the oversight board would be able to override the regular elected school board's decision to turn down charter school applications.
Both bills would kick in if 50% of students fail to meet grade-level standards in math and English; 30% of schools receive a 'D' or 'F' from the state Department of Education; 25% of students are chronically absent, and at least one school school is identified as a 'priority' school for poor performance, and the local elected body declares it has no confidence in the school board.
The Senate version is markedly different, requiring the oversight board to make a comprehensive study of the school district and recommend a 'transformation plan,' including goals the district should meet. The review would cover everything from policies and disciplinary incidents to financial statements and accounting principles. The advisory board's meetings would be closed to the public, except for the meeting in which it adopts final recommendations.
The advisory board would be able to hire up to three staff members for assistance, and they would be paid by the school district, not the state. Under both bills, the board would be paid by the local district.
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