001Welcome to the August 27, 2025 board business meeting at Memphis Shelby County Schools. Miss Clark, please call the role. >> Board member Garcia, >> present. >> Board member Porter, >> present. >> Board member Love, >> present. >> Board member McKenna, >> present. >> Board member Williams, >> present. >> Board member Otay, >> present. Board chair Coleman >> present. Board member McKisik is also present. >> Present. Board member McKisik. Thank you. Present. >> Thank you. We do have a quorum. Tonight's posting of the colors is presented by Overton High School. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I alian to the flag. of the United States of America and to the republic for it standyice for all. >> It is with extremely heavy hearts that tonight's moment of silence is in remembrance of Miss Opel Crawford.
002She was an assessment specialist in the department of assessments and accountability and worked for the district for 28 years. Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you. You may be seated. We are now on to the approval of the agenda. Are there any amendments? In Superintendent Richmond? >> Yes, Madam Chair. I'd like to add uh I'd like request for action item number 12.1, University of Memphis affiliation agreement. >> And that's it. Thank you, >> board member. Board member McKenna. >> Thank you, Chair Coleman. I have two resolutions for the board. The first resolution is to authorize interim superintendent to enter into a temporary occupancy agreement. This is just an agreement um that we need for the um head to to transfer Head Start um equipment and real property over um in a
003timely manner. We are trying to get them into the building by September 1st and I would ask that we put that on for um general counsel to explain to us. And then the second amendment I want to add I would like to add Shelby County Board of Education selection of schoolboard governance training provider. Again, we um I gave you all the um several of the um providers that gave us requests for information and I think we talked about at our board retreat that we needed to make a decision about who we wanted to move forward with in terms of uh helping us with our goals, our visioning, core beliefs and and commitments and also our um our training. So again, that's just asking us to think about who we want to name in that and
004make it public. That's it. >> Any other board members? There being no further amendments to the agenda, is there a motion for the approval of the agenda? >> So moved. >> Moved by board member Williams. Second by board member McKisik. Roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Love. >> Hi. >> Board member McKenna. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> Hi. >> Board chair Coleman. >> I. >> You have aid in the affirmative. >> Thank you. The agenda is approved. We are now on to public comments. In accordance with state statute, the board shall reserve a period for public comment during business and special call meetings. Only those members of the public
005who sign up for public comments prior to the commencement of this meeting shall be permitted to address the board. Public comment shall be taken in the order in which the public signups are received. A signup sheet for public comment will be will become available 30 minutes prior to each applicable meeting and will be closed at the start of the meeting. The signup is located at the entryway table just past the security checkpoint. Speakers must state their name, organization he or she is representing, if any, and subject of their comment before they are permitted to proceed. Speakers may offer an objective comment about school operations and programs that concern them. Speakers are asked to refrain from using names of personnel or names of persons connected with the school system, particularly when lodging a complaint. Speakers will
006not be permitted to engage in gossip, make defamatory comment, or use abusive or vulgar language. The chairman shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who is disruptive and does not adhere to board rules. Dr. Dr. Schultz will announce the number of speakers and time allotted per speaker. >> This evening we have five speakers at 3 minutes each. >> Your time is projected on the screen to your right and directly behind the board. When you hear a bell, your time has expired. Our first three speakers, Amy, U, Bana Campbell, and Claudet Boyd. Hello, Amy U509 Denim Cove. Good evening, board members, community members, and interim superintendent. My name is Amy U, and I'm a senior at White Station High School. Three years ago, I founded the GEM X outreach program. We're a
007passionate group of over 10 White Station high schoolers who volunteer every Thursday at WhiteStation Middle School, helping with homework and extra lessons so that kids can keep up in class and so that teachers can make the most out of their class time. Now, the mission of MSES is preparing all students for success in learning, leadership, and life. And over the past three years, we've supported over 200 students and formed a tight-knit community. As students who've been through online school, we tutors know the importance of in-person support. That's why more and more of us are stepping up, not just as proud students of our district, but as advocates for improving public education and keeping kids in school. But our challenge right now is simply just getting there. We can only send a few tutors to the
008middle school at one time by ourselves. But the reality is there are so many more students who could benefit from help if we just simply had the means to get there. Whit Station High School and Whit Station Middle School are just one bus ride away. What my peers and I asked tonight is if we can secure transportation like riding the school bus every Thursday to continue to reach our students and expand our impact and more importantly expand our community. Thank you, >> Miss Yu. We we will the district will make that happen for you all. I thank you so much. >> You're welcome. Thank you for your service. [Applause] Good evening. My name is Brianna Campbell. My address is 2316 Burdock Boulevard West. I'm here on behalf of Servicemaster. Um, good evening members of the
009board, Madame Chair and Dr. Richmond and to the community. Um, again, my name is Brianna Campbell and I serve as the director of operations for Servicem. I want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of you along with the district leadership for the continued partnership and dedication. As we have began the new school year, our team remains committed to supporting a safe, clean, and welcoming environment for students to thrive. We're aligned with the district's focus on student outcomes and are actively investing in upgraded equipment, increased staffing, and enhanced training for our team. In addition, we're excited to launch a student entrepreneur program this fall, further deeper investment in the community's future. None of this would be possible without your support. A special thank you to the custodial team in the entire department as they
010have been outstanding partners. So I just wanted to say thank you again for your support. [Applause] My name is Claudette Boyd. 713 Burststone Avenue, Memphis, Tennessee 38109. Now, this is my third time coming. I'm here to thank Superintendent Richmond. You did what you said you was going to do, and I appreciate that. I thank uh Alicia Ker uh Miss Whitelo for responding to our cry for help at Merrell's High School. You and your team demonstrated professionalism and sincere desire to do right by our students, school, and the entire Orangebound community. We are galvanizing our alumni members to dedicate time, money, and efforts to improving the atmosphere at Merose. Our new principal has brought high energy, commitment, and making us feel welcome within Merrill's High School. We pledge to work with our new principal and especially
011our students in the Orange Mound community. We are here to stay to work to improve the atmosphere, the learning, the respect between the staff members, teachers, and the community. Therefore, we thank Dr. Richmond, entire Memphis Shelby County School Board for taking a giant step forward for our beloved Merose High School. Wait a minute. I got some more. We still got work to do, though. We have to clean up and make our school whole again. So, we're here to thank every person who participated. And as you see, we brought our community with us to let you know how strong we stand with you, how strong we stand with our school, and anything that we can do to make it better, we will. So now I want all of my alumni members to stand up. All Mos
012High School people, stand on your feet. [Applause] So, so, so we're here. We will be back if we need to come back, but hopefully not. We're working with what we got, and we will do all we can to make you proud of us at Merose High School. Thank you. Wait a minute. People, >> all the rest of our folks had a chance to come in. All right, everybody can stand up again. Now again, [Applause] we told you we was going to come back. We told we'll come back strong. Thank you. Our last two speakers, Stephanie Hope and Liz Marble. >> Good evening. I'm Stephanie Hope and I'm here on behalf of Memphis Arts and their interest in purchasing Humes. >> Oh, just speak. Okay. uh their interest in purchasing Humes to create an artistic facility
013and outlet for those youth at 38107. I grew up in 38107 and I am an artist. I was blessed. I grew up in a two parent household and my mother was able to adjust to my creative whims. She was also able to find out of the box opportunities for me to express myself and to create. But if this opportunity is put dead smack in the middle because we know we have talent in Memphis and have these children be able to have somewhere to go to have a creative outlet and teach them how to use it professionally. That would be awesome. That's it. Thank you very much for your time. [Applause] Liz Marble, 6263 popppler 38119. Good evening, board chair, interim superintendent, and board commissioners. As we welcome back our educators and students for a new
014school year, I want to begin by recognizing our shared commitment to public education and to the families and communities that we all serve. Your leadership plays a vital role in shaping the environment where students learn, grow, and thrive, and where educators dedicate their lives to this important work. And I do mean their lives. I stand here as president of the United Education Association, the largest local and affiliate of the Tennessee Education Association and the National Education Association, 3.2 million strong. representing the dedicated educators of this district. These professionals provide not only academic instruction but also emotional support and daily stability for all of our children. They work tirelessly in and beyond the classroom to meet the needs of every student who walks through our doors and even some that haven't shown up yet. Our schools
015cannot thrive without educators. And our educators cannot thrive without fair pay, safe conditions, and respect. Every day, they give their all to our students. Yet, too many are leaving the profession, not just locally, but nationwide because they feel undervalued. I want our district to continue to make teachers feel valued. Budgets are moral documents. They reveal what and who we value. If we truly value our students, we must invest in the people who teach, mentor, and support them both in the classroom and out of the classroom. I'm talking about our mental health professionals, our seas, our TAs, our clerical, our cafeteria workers, our maintenance crew, and all of you in this room as well. We must ensure that every student feels safe, supported, and valued in our schools. This includes protecting and uplifting all students from
016every background, culture, and community so that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, succeed, and even thrive. While Nashville writes the laws, it is you who decide how those laws are lived out here in our Memphis community. Your decisions shape the reality in our classrooms. Right now, our educators are asking for more than words of appreciation. They're asking for action. UEA stands ready to be your partner, a resource, a collaborator, and a voice for the classroom. As you make decisions that affect our students, educators, families, and communities, together, we can make Memphis the best place to live and Memphis Shelby County Schools the best place to teach and learn. Let's begin this school year rooted in mutual respect, shared purpose, steadfast focus on what's best for the students and educators. It truly does take
017all of us. [Applause] We're now on to the approval of the minutes for the following meetings. Approval of the minutes of the AP of the July 22nd, 2025 work session. Are there any corrections? >> There being no corrections, do we have a motion to approve the minutes? >> I move to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Only for the 22nd. This is only for July 22nd work session. Roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >> I. >> Board member Love. >> Hi. >> Board member McKenna. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. Board Chair Coleman. >> I. You have nine in the affirmative. >> Those minutes are approved. Motion to approve
018>> the the minutes of the July 29th, 2025 business meeting. Are there any corrections? There being no corrections, may I have a roll call vote, please? >> Motion to accept. I'm sorry. >> Motion. Second. >> Second. >> Roll call vote, please. Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >> I. >> Board member Love. >> Hi. >> Board member McKini. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. Hi. >> Board chair Coleman. >> I. >> You have nine in the affirmative. >> Thank you. The minutes as listed are approved. Now we'll take a moment. Board member Otay has something she would like to say. >> Thank you, Chair. I just want to say thank you all for coming
019out. Thank you for your positive comments. U we appreciate it. We are working very hard as a board to ensure that we're providing the best environments as possible as well as our administration. So I want to thank the administration. Thank you uh Dr. Richmond and thank you all for coming out um just to share those that positive feedback and what we're pushing forward to do. We really appreciate your support and as a community we can do this together. So I just wanted to say thank you. >> Thank you. Now superintendent's recognition, we'll turn it over to Dr. in Superintendent, Dr. Richmond. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh what I'd like to do under my recognition, I'd like to recognize our new uh principal appointments. uh if that's okay with the board uh so that their
020families and friends who are here won't have to stay uh late into the meeting. But I would like to recognize them. I think we have one of the best core principles. We had a principal meeting today. It was really really nice to see all of our principles and it's really really nice tonight to recognize uh our new addition. So first up, principles, as I announce your names, I'd like for you all to come to the front so we can take a picture with the board members. Uh, first I'm gonna start with uh Mr. Peterson, Colonial Middle School. Rod Peterson. Next, we have Mr. Gayen Davis for Grahamwood Elementary. Mr. Antonio Harvey, Hawkins Mill Elementary. Tara Wilson, Kirby High School, [Applause] interim principal, Mrs. Salton for Oak Haven Elementary. [Applause] Dr. Angela Ascu for Peabody Elementary.
021Miss Alicia Scott Riverwood Elementary. He retired and came back. Dr. Javon Marshall for Sharp Elementary. Also, we have Dr. Cedric Gray from White Station Middle School. And last but not least, I flew all the way to Deval County to get a Miss Andrea Tally for Mel Rose High School. [Applause] All [Music] right. Congratulations. I'm sure [Applause] You will [Applause] [Music] Oh man, we got some We are now on to committee reports. the board chair's report. And I would like to take this time to wish two very special people a very happy birthday. The first one is Chief Carolyn Jackson and the other one is Director Terren Riley. They both celebrates celebrate their birthdays on today. They are outside handling business. So if you see them, please please tell them happy birthday. Also, I would like
022to take a special privilege to wish three of my colleagues birthdays that had birthdays in the month of August. The first one is our very own Miss Toana Murphy. August the 2nd. Our OG, Mr. Keith Williams, August the 3. >> Original player. >> Original. >> That's original. original, none like you, Mr. Keith. And last, but certainly not least, Mr. Tomarcus Porter. August the 14th. A very happy birthday. At this time, we have a video for them. >> Happy birthday to triple threat to Marcus, Toana, and Keith. I hope you had a great time celebrating your birthday. The month of August is always a time of new beginnings for us as school board members. So, I hope you have a great time celebrating the new beginning of the next year. >> Happy birthday to Marcus Porter,
023Keith Williams, and to Rana Murphy. I hope your birthday was filled with light and laughter. You deserve it. >> Happy birthday to Marquez, Keith, and Toana, the trifecta of August birthdays. I hope you all are celebrating well. I hope you're celebrating often and I hope you're enjoying it. Happy birthday. Have a good one. Somebody's celebrating a birthday. Happy birthday to Marcus. Someone else is celebrating her birthday. Happy birthday, Mr. Keith. and someone else is celebrating all month a had a great great birthday because you truly deserve it. Much love and happiness to you. Happy birthday board member Porter, board member Murphy and board member. truly deserve this. Much love and happiness to me. Happy birthday, board member Porter, board member Murphy, and board member Just can't say wheels. >> Happy birthday, Will. >> Happy birthday.
024>> Can I turn off the sound? >> It's hard to hear. >> Can I turn up the sound? >> Happy birthday. I think it's the maybe on the computerated um that you got to spend time with people that you love doing things that you enjoy um and really to just took some time for yourself to relax. Happy birthday and love you all. Keith Kate, I didn't know your birthday was a day after mine. I wanted to wish you a happy happy birthday and thank you for paving the way for me and many others. I hope that your next chapter be your best chapter. I love you and have a great birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday. Yeah. What it is it good for? Absolutely nothing. Say it again. Happy birthday to Marcus. Have a great birthday. I
025know you going to turn up and I will see you soon. Be safe. I love you. Have a great day. >> Happy birthday to Keith and Toana. You guys always put students first. So I hope that on your birthday you was able to put yourself first. So again, happy birthday to both of you. >> Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Turn around this way. Happy birthday to Marcus. >> Happy birthday to you. [Music]