06-02-2025
Shelby County Commission to track MSCS spending habits
MEMPHIS, Tenn — The Shelby County Commission wants to take a closer look at the spending habits of the Memphis Shelby County School District this week.
The commission moved closer to voting for an audit of MSCS. They are taking the next step to examine how the school district spends Memphians' tax dollars.
'For some elected officials to basically ask the state, which gives over $800 million to MSCS, to just take pause when the school board has lost the confidence of constituents, and the majority of this body, is unconscionable, ' said Shelby County Commissioner Edmund Ford Jr.
During a committee meeting, Ford said he requested an audit of the school district five years ago, but it was shelved when MSCS said it would submit its financial records to the commission.
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'The way of doing business over the last five years has not worked. We tried it that way and it's time to go another route,' said Ford.
Commissioners say the state gives MSCS more than $800 million a year and the county allocates $427 million annually.
With the recent firing of former superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins, commissioners now have to vote on a resolution calling for a forensic financial audit.
'I hope there is a big shift here that we are finally we are going to put the right people in the right places to actually help the people of Shelby County and Memphis and the suburbs all around,' said Shelby County Commissioner Amber Mills.
Some commissioners also questioned recent decisions made by the MSCS board involving a charter school.
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'The decision to renew the 10-year charter of City University School of Independence, despite the enrollment of only 14 students and staff recommendations against renewal, raises concerns for this commissioner,' said Shelby County Commissioner Erika Sugarmon.
The commissioners are willing to spend $50,000 from their contingency fund to pay for the audit as they continue to zero in on the school district and how it spends citizen's tax dollars.
'I'm for addressing this issue while at the same time making sure our children understand we care enough about them to continue to fight whoever however we have to,' said Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell.
The Shelby County Commission is expected to vote on the audit resolution at its next meeting on Monday, February 10.
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