001Board member Garcia >> here. >> Board member Porter >> here. >> Board member McKisik >> here. >> Board member Love >> here. >> Board member McKini >> here. >> Board member Williams. and board chair coleman >> present. >> You have seven in the affirmative. >> Thank you. We do have a quorum. Please stand for the pledge of allegiance. Tonight's posters of color of colors is presented by Overton High School. Mar, it is with extremely heavy heart that tonight's moment of silence is in remembrance of Joshua. We're going to do it all at one time. Okay, we'll do the pledge. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. [Applause] Forward color. It is
002with extremely heavy hearts that tonight's moment of silence is a remembrance of Joshua Henderson, a Memphis Shelby County School student from Bolton High School, and Jaylen Barrett, an MS student from Central High School. Please keep these families in your thoughts and prayers. Thank you. May be seated. We are now on to the approval of the agenda. Are there any amendments? Church of Superintendent Richmond. Yes, madam chair. We'd like to remove item 11.34 code for kids. Board members Garcia. Thank you, chair. I'd like to formally request that we add a discussion action uh action item on today's agenda titled resolution approving in kind donation and authorizing superintendent to enter into memorandum of understanding. Um I I'm going to let you all have copies of of the resolution and an accompanying document of which I will also
003read at the time we discuss. But just to give you an overview of what this includes um is regarding a proposed inind donation from a local company XAI. This private entity has expressed interest in supporting four southwest area schools. John Freeman optional school for high school, Westwood High School and Mitchell High School. Uh at this point there's no agreement between XAI and uh and to my knowledge and Dr. which means there's not been any depth work done requiring board approval at this point. And we have received a non-binding letter of intent outlining all of those in kind contributions. These are facility enhancements, academic lab modernizations, athletic field improvements, and technology upgrades. So, you all have a copy of that letter as well. So, the purpose of this is to be explicit and transparent about what
004the investments would be be. uh ask questions, raise any considerations. You have those on the back of yours. You don't have a copy of the letter? No. Okay. Let's make sure that we get a copy of the letter since this will be at the request for action. Okay. Okay. We got >> Okay, great. Um and provide guidance regarding the next steps. So particularly our board policy uh 2019 which governs the acceptance of all grants, gifts and donations and in that policy indicates a certain uh significant a certain threshold over $15,000 or significant financial value um for facility al alterations must be approved by the district. So, I'm bringing that with a a resolution and their intent for us to to discuss tonight and hopefully uh acceptance of the proposed resolution. [Music] Yes, this is a
005point of um clarification. This is for us to I'm reading it for the first time and so this is for us to accept any kind donation that we're not sure exactly what it is and we just got it this today. So I will just let you know that I'd be okay with adding it for the purposes of discussion but we'll be seeking to to um think about how we may amend this resolution to talk about allowing this resolution asking our superintendent to enter into the conversations. This seems to say authorizing mean to accept something. We're not quite sure what it is. So, um I just want to put it on the floor that the reason why I'm saying okay to this is because I want to get it on the floor so we can have
006a robust discussion about what this looks like. Understood. And it does share the parameters and locations and types of investments that they are going to make. And just to be clear, as an inind donation, there will be no there's no intent for money to exchange hands. They are asking to do that work on behalf of the school district. I get that we will keep on discussion clear of where I where I am and why I'm going to go ahead and say okay to letting let's get on. Yes, ma'am. I appreciate your um supporting the discussion. Thank you. Williams, the discussion that we will have surrounding this is worth the conf. Do we will we understand every implication or everything that could possibly be done with the construction of this facility in the area where they're
007trying to put it around several of the schools in my district. And I'm concerned because the parents and the citizens that in that community are very concerned about what they will construct and what if there will be any ramifications on the health of the citizens in that community as there was in Boxtown and White and Castion and places. question on the floor now. Is there any objection to us adding this to the agenda? Discussion for discussion. I hope discussion calling. That's what we're talking about. Adding it to the agenda for discussion. Excellent. Yes. So, we're Anybody's okay with us? Adding it to the agenda for open discussion at the appropriate time. Can we do that by consent or do we need a roll call? Okay. I move that we add the resolution approving in kind
008donation authorizing superintendent to enter into memorandum of understanding under request for action. Thank you. Roll file vote please just to add this item to the agenda. Second roll file vote please. Board member McKisik I. Board member Garcia I. Board member Porter. >> Hi. >> Board member Murphy. >> Hi. >> Board member Love. >> Hi. >> Board member McKenna. >> Hi. >> Board member Otang. >> Hi. >> Board member Williams. >> Hi. >> Board chair Coleman. >> I. You have nine in the affirmative. >> That item pass. Please also let the record show that board member Otay is present. and board member Murphy. I'm sorry. I thought you came. We are now on to public comment. >> Okay. Can we get a motion and a second to approve the agenda with the added item? I move
009to add the item to the agenda. >> To approve it. >> I move to approve the item. >> Thank you. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> Hi. >> Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >> Hi. >> 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 agenda is approved. We're now on to public comment. 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 who sign up for public comments prior to the commencement of this meeting shall be
010permitted to address the board. Public comments taken shall be taken in the order in which the public signups are received. A signup sheet for public comments will become available 30 minutes prior to each applicable meeting and will be closed at the start of the meeting. This signup sheet 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 objective comments 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 not be permitted to engage in gossip, make defamatory comments, or use abusive or vulgar language.
011The chairman shall have the authority to terminate the remarks of any individual who is disruptive or does not adhere to board policies. Dr. Booker will announce the number of speakers and time allotted per speaker. Your time is projected on the screen to your right and directly behind the board. When you hear a bail, your time has expired. Dr. Booker. 31 community members have signed up to speak. Each member will have one minute per speech. Our first three speakers are car Carolyn Quinn, excuse me. last name McGee and London Jordan. Those are our first three speakers. >> Can you state your name and address? My mailing address is 6947 Finch Road. Okay. Uh again, thank you. Um I am going to be reading out what I'm what I'm hear about. I'm about hear about the dream
012cash uh the dream crashes um charter school. Uh, I write uh to you today only as a Tennessee state representative, but also as a lifelong Livian who witnessed firsthand the escalating crisis of youth homeliness. And we urge in the the strongest possible terms that you approve the charter application for Dream Catchers Charter Academy, a school designed to serve for one of the most vulnerable and often for uh forgiven populations in Shelby County, our homeless and housing insecure youth. As you all know, the state of Tennessee has already approved $750,000 federal startup grant for the dream catchers. Do I need to stop? Yes, ma'am. Your time is up. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. [Music] Last name McGee. [Music] My name is Kiara, last name McGee. My address 90 Cold Codwell Lane. My reasons here is
013to represent the community, dev community and parents. Also, my concern also is following the ADA. you all are not following the ADA process. I'm warning you because you could lose federal money because that's they've already paid money for the deaf community and also along with the TCAP it doesn't match the deaf students curriculum or kids with a disability. We need to have that. That's a big concern for me. You could lose government money for that. London. My name is Is the microphone. Can y'all hear me? >> We can hear you. >> My name is London Jordan and my address is 1535 cent. Hi. Hi everyone. I hope you are all doing well. My name is London Jordan and I've been a student of MSEs all my life. So MS is all that I know and
014so much of my gratitude is in is in the school system. I'm thankful for the school board that has poured so much into being the change that we all want to see, especially in the context of Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 11 199, which mandates at least one non- voting student representative on each school board in Tennessee. Because the truth is, I've been hold on so much for so long and the rate is finally showing. Well, have a school board representative who understands the rate of being a youth now. But what good is that representation without the power to vote? Because adultism, the belief of young people that they should stay quiet until we're older required to easier to manage. But how are we supposed to grow when we're silenced before you can bloom?
015Because youth leads to life just as rich and heavy as a spin with with your own. I have a dream. I have a vision. I'm fighting for students voice. And we want a democratic youth on the school board. Thank you. Our next three speakers, Isaiah Alexander, Audrey Brooks, Carly Hall. All right. Good evening everyone. Can you hear me? Um, my name is Asia Alexander, 477 North Foot Street. All right. Good evening everyone. My name is Asia Alexander and I've had the privilege of working with phenomenal young people at the Bridges USA's Youth Action Center. And it can be dehumanizing for schools to not treat their youth as a full person and just a responsibility to be taken care of. And Senate Bill 161/House Bill 1199 can easily fall into the responsibility by the state and
016not an intentional act of personhood. With your collaboration, we want you all to consider today having London and other youth from this campaign sit on the policy advisory committee and for you all to attend a youth and adult equity training because it's truly life-changing. The training primarily focuses on bridging shared experiences and generational gaps while challenging youth tokenization and building real partnerships with an emphasis on the systemic oppression that youth face and how schools can be a part of the solution. Ultimately, the goals of this campaign are to reform student congress to be the forers of democracies in school as well as go beyond the state mandate and have a representative for each high school grade level and have them be elected by the students of other states have done. Let's build this together. Miss
017Brooks. >> Good afternoon. On May the 2nd, I went attended the job fair at Graceland um Elvis Presley's home. Well, >> Miss Brooks, Miss Brooks, I'm going to let you start over. I want you to give me your name and your address. Okay. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> You're fine. >> Okay. Audrey Brooks, 1550 North Parkway. Okay. On May the 3, I attended the job fair and Dr. Isaac Richmond saw the potential in me and he added me to his staff. I took my TB test. I lifted to 25 pounds. I took my eye test and then I got to be best friends with Amazon. I ordered pictures and books and calendars and this and that and the other. And somebody asked me, "Well, is the fifth grade self-contained or do they pass classes?" I
018said, "Let me call the school and find out." So, I called the school and they said, "Your name is not on the faculty list." And I had the big one like Fred Sanford. Well, I called the board and they said, "Well, Miss Brooks, we uh sent you two emails and asking for your transcript and you didn't answer either one." So, I scrolled through my phone and I said, "No, you didn't." She said, "Yes, I did." I said, "No, you didn't." She said, "Yes, I did." I said, "No, you didn't." And she said, "Yes, I did." So, anyway, what she did was >> Miss Brooks, someone's going to step out in the hallway and have a conversation with you. She's right behind you, Miss Brooks. >> Okay. >> Right there. She's going to take care of
019you so you will not have another big one. [Applause] I do. I love her. Yeah, she had a story. Right. Right. I was excited. I love her. She my friend. I love her. >> I think she'd be an extraordinary teacher. The kids would love her. I >> I love her already. Hello. Okay. Um, good evening all. My name is Karly Hall. Uh, my address is 6226 Marian Cove. Um, I'm of the Bridges Shelby County Youth Council. I'm 16 years old, a rising junior for my first year at Harding Academy. And I would like to start my comment by saying thank you to the sitting board members for your leadership and adaptability in a diverse community like ours. Today I'm advocating beside um London and Asia who spoke prior to me as well as other youth
020to sit on the policy committee for the enactment of Senate Bill 161 and House Bill 1199. Personally, I've been an MS student in all my years of schooling schooling up until this upcoming school year. Part of the reason why I am transferring out of um this school system is because I felt unheard throughout my years in the system and my peers that I've spoken to can agree. Um often decisions of which I and my peers have been affected did not include us in coming to those outcomes and this ine inequity is unacceptable and and if we want to make positive change in our community. I hope that you will consider all of our voices and what I share with you today. Thank you. Thank you. The next three speakers, Zaharia White, Malik Fields, and Anna
021Gail Robinson. Can you hear me? Okay. Okay. >> Good evening. My name is Zara White Chapony and 477 North Fifth Street and I would like to speak about youth and adult equity in schools. So I am here representing Intercore and I'm here to support London and Asia and I want to talk about youth and adult equity in school. Youth and adult equity is shared power between youth and adults for partnership to make decisions and have a ground a great common ground. Then this can be modeled in school by having our admins and counselors share power in the decisions for us such as making decisions about our resources for us. We can have a say in what we need and want in our school to better accommodate our education opportunities. So we have to face obstacles
022as youth that are to limit our expression of ourselves and voices to address issues and challenges that we face through the education system of our schools. We don't know it all and we need your help. >> Thank you. adjust this. Can I like just hold this? All right. Hello, my name is Malik Fields and my address is 3735 Shenna Drive. I'm a member of the Bridges Shelby County Youth Council. The topic of my comment today is to affirm London Jordan and Asia Alexander's campaign in incorporating the youth's voice in schoolboard matters. I would like to begin by thanking every schoolboard member for your individual and collective work, leadership, and willingness to adapt in an everanging society. Your efforts are truly essential essential and I appreciate them. But the concept of striving is one I'd love
023to discuss today. Looking at the current status of the school system, I feel underrepresent under represent under reppresented. While I can say that I'm privileged in having access to funded public education, I also feel as if I have little to no say in the school system. There have been so many times where the school board has made a decision for me and every other student and I'm asked I'm left to ask why. Why are these decisions made without my attention? and why can't I be in the conversations that they happen in? The more youth begin to recognize that they have a voice, the more true change is possible. And I encourage you all to understand that. Good evening, Memphis Shelby County School Board chairman and members. My name is Angel Robinson and my address is
0241576 Trans Drive. I'm here with the Bridges Youth Action Center to push forward a campaign that supports equal partnership between the youth and the school system. With that being said, we want you all to attend a youth and adult equity training so that you can see why we're advocating for four students to be on the board and reforms to student congress. I bring this into consideration because I believe strongly that that our generation is is the next generation of leaders that can help others thrive through better education. This can bridge bridge the generational gap and bring us better test scores. Overall, I ask the school board to consider this request because this can be very beneficial for us as students and future leaders. Thank you. >> Good afternoon. Good afternoon. Uh name is Mark Williams.
025Uh 918 East Demster Avenue representing uh Shelby County Youth Council on the topic of youth uh youth voice mandate. Um I would like to thank the board first being present here. Um I am here as part of a youthled campaign to support your goal on building more stronger and equitable schools. We are excited by the recent step to include one youth board member through public chapter number 359. We believe that together youth and adults can model what authentic collaboration looks like. I want to talk about one of the considerations. I want to focus on amending student congress policies to promote better school level democracy and better represent the needs of students. Currently, MSCS policy number 6061 is a governing documents for student congress. This document has not been updated in the past 12 years. We
026would like for student congress policies to help support student voices, use equity principles to help uplift every student's concerns and more. The first for everything, however, is for the MSCS board members and superintendent to attend the youth and adult equity training hosted at Bridges USA. None of this will happen if you don't attend the youth equity training. I'm a legacy builder and we both need student congress and legacy builder to help address the needs of the student voice. My name is Mark Williams and I thank you for listening to my speech. Our next three speakers, Miss Latasha Griggs, Cadet Kibler, and Aaron Walker. Good afternoon. My name is Tasha Griggs. My address is 3321 Bridges Drive. Um, I want to tell this board, it's amazing how when y'all do stuff, it's against the law, but
027when it come to us, it's okay. They'll be all right. Uh-uh. That don't make sense to me. Second of all, I want to put you all on notice that my kids will not be going to school this year. I'm not putting them in school cuz I don't trust none of y'all. None of you. I've been dealing with one issue a whole school year. I've had somebody over here to try to help me with it, but it don't it does nothing for me. And third of all, I received this card in my address and it said by February 15th that your financial records need to be turned in to the election commission. So, if you didn't turn them in, you might need to. Here's your meal. Y'all have a nice day. Hello, my name is Chad
028Kibble, Senior, uh, located at 3229 Legiew Road. I'm the director of the Memphis Shelby County Lead Safe Collaborative, and I'm here to talk about lead. I have some handouts I would like to get the board one to each board member. >> At the end, you can leave it with the desk and they'll get it to us. >> Okay. Okay. What that handout is is it's 20 years of research. Uh as I said, I'm Chad Kibble, senior, the director of the Memphis Shelby County Land Safe Collaborative. Le Moore College opened up the environmental research and training center in 2000. I was selected to be the manager of the school which focused on teaching state required training in the lead fields along with researching lead effects in our community. Our nonprofit has continued that research. Science has
029continued to make advancements on the level equal to the DNA breakthrough. In 2010, a congressional investigation of the CDC proved that lead in the water was extremely dangerous and there was no safe level. The sterilization plant in South Memphis was proven to be 15 times stronger than what EPA thought. Science has proven many of the toxins are more dangerous than what we knew. And lead is a major player in the problems in our school system as well as the crime rate. Memphis needs to give lead the respect it deserves. Lid is much more dangerous than it best. >> Mr. Keebler, your time is up. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you. [Music] Good evening. I am Aaron Walker, 3309 Berea Road, ManUp Teacher Fellowship. [Music] This is my first time speaking to the board. I've been
030an English teacher for the past nine years working for FCS, ASD, and now the MSCS school system. But I am here to tell you that without the Man-Up Teacher Fellowship organization dedicated to growing the number of black male teachers in our region, I would not be entering my ninth year of teaching. In fact, I've tried to leave education about three times. And because of this one organization, uh, I've now gone on to get my master's degree, and I've also recently gotten my instructional, uh, leadership, uh, license, and that's why I'm here. Usually, I would be preparing for my students to come in right now, but they said, "Aaron, got a little problem. funding is out of whack and we need you and other manup fellows to go down and tell the board just how much
031you love that we came into your life and I really do. Uh and overall I would love to ask the board uh to enter a formal partnership to support manup in its future so that we can keep black male teachers coming into our classrooms. Thank you. Rodney Miller, Damian Noel, and Aia Green. [Music] Oh boy. [Music] Good evening, um, to the board and residents of Shelby County. My name is Rodney Miller and I'm a proud parent of two uh of Shelby County school students. One of which has been in Mr. Aaron Lissy's class who I'm here to support tonight. I feel that Mr. Lissy would be a great fit for the leadership team of Shelby County Schools because of his dedication in and out of the classroom. My daughter seemed like she had a very
032enriching experience and was always talking about uh the things that they were doing in the classroom. Uh some things that he did was he um he had a program a play uh that my daughter participated in and this play address social issues like bullying and selfrespect and he also had a a recognition program that he provided outside of school to recognize the students and I think that it was just a a a wellthoughtout uh thing to do for the students. Okay. And also he introduced my daughter to a program called determined to be a doctor one day which I think uh has really enhanced her. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Damon Noel, 1650 Ray Brad 38016. Um, I'm a parent of a student here in Shelby County, but uh, I wanted to address
033some concerns. When Dr. Richmond first addressed the district, he promised fairness and equity and leadership appointments. He said no principal would be moved to central office or promoted unless the data supported it. But what message does it send when before data had even be released? Dr. Michael Lowe, a personal friend and fraternity brother from my understanding uh and of the superintendent was promoted. And while I don't speak to Dr. Loe's qualifications, I do speak to the inconsistency of this city and what was said and what was done. Even assistant superintendent Dr. Whitaw saw the need for real leadership when she asked the former principal of Riverwood Elementary, Dr. Rita White, to come back to rebuild a struggling school. This isn't just about one person. It's about a continued pattern here in Memphis that needs to
034be addressed, please. And it's about whether we are willing to align our actions with our values, which I know that's hard to do in politics, but if we say equity matters, we need to ensure our selection process reflects that. God bless. [Music] Good evening. My name is Akiia Green. I reside at 7571 Spring Morning Court 38125. I am here to support the opening of Kip Cordova Collegic Elementary as an expansion of Kip Memphis. I am both a proud Kip Memphis teacher and parent of three Kipsters, each at the elementary, middle, and high school. My children and I have experienced the Kip journey firsthand, and I can truly say it's been transformative. I've watched my three children thrive in Kip, Memphis. The love, structure, and academic excellence we've received have supported my family's growth in every
035way possible. As a parent, I want families in Cordova to have that same opportunity for their children to thrive just as our Kipsters are now. And as a teacher, I know what's possible when students are given the right environment to learn, lead, and grow. A new Kip Memphis in Cordova is the right next step and I ask you to please vote to approve the new Kip Cordova Collegiate Elementary School. Thank you. Sharon Mlin, Joshua Robertson, Kimberly Howard. >> Good evening. My name is Sharon Mlan. I reside at 3234 Foxgate Drive, Memphis, Tennessee 38115. I'm here to speak on the behalf of Dreamcatchers Academy. This is a rare and bold effort to meet the students where they are. Children who live without stability, safety, or a clear path forward. Dreamcatchers would provide wraparound support services and
036tailor education to those most at risk of falling through the cracks. Dreamcatchers Academy is long overdue here in Memphis. We, the community, voted for you, not the employees of the charter school office. You are the voice of the people. We elected you to stand up for the children of Shelby County, particularly those who have no voice. Tonight we ask you to vote for the homeless students who have no stability and no champion. Be the leaders we believe in. What when we casted our votes for you. Please vote yes for Dreamcatchers Academy. Thank you. >> Good evening. All right. Uh Shelby County has nearly 3,000 homeless students out. >> Mr. Robinson, will you state your name and your address? Robinson. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Shelby County School is facing nearly 3,000 homeless students are
037documented with advocates saying the real number is higher. These children deserve more than temporary solutions. So, Dream Catchers Academy will provide stability, meals, counseling, and uninterrupted education for their needs. Approving this school is not just an act of leadership. It's an act of humanity. the academic model, the leadership, and the mission stands on it. Even though the city or the state has given the approval for the $750,000, we still need your approval to go forth. Good evening. My name is Kimberly Hot. I reside at 2684 Blue Ridge Drive. I am here to advocate on behalf of voting to approve Kip Cordova Collegiic Elementary School. I am the assistant principal at Kilip Memphis Collegiate Elementary. As someone who's grown with this organization under our CEO's Dr. Bur's leadership, I've seen the deep commitment we have with
038supporting families. We are building strong communities each and every day and expanding to CADova means more students and family can benefit from the KIP difference. I truly support this growth. Memphis scholars are ready. We need your vote. Thank you. >> Danielle Taylor, Aaron Litzy, Darlene Wales. >> Good evening. I'm Danielle Taylor. My address is 1617 Harrison Street. I stand in support of Kip Kova Collegiate Elementary School as a part of the Kip Memphis network. I'm a proud Kip Memphis parent and employee. I have the privilege of helping families discover the power of our schools. Whether I'm in the community, at events, or simply talking with neighbors, I'm always sharing what makes KIP so special. Our strong team and family culture, our unwavering focus on student growth, and the real lasting results we see in our
039students every day. That's why I'm asking for your support for the new Kip Cordova Collegiate Elementary. This school would be a blessing for the Kdova community and I'm excited to be a part of the effort to make it happen. Thank you. Aaron Litzy 5344 Longwood Drive 38134 Good evening members of the board and interim superintendent Richmond I stand before you tonight as a parent since June the 11th I've reached out multiple times my mentor principal encouraged me to reach out to Stacy Davis to inquire about enrolling my son Aaron Jeremiah into Memphis Shelby County Schools. We've expressed clear interest in a couple schools. We've even explained why we wanted to transition from private to public school because we believe in the promise and the potential of MSCS. Yet, after multiple emails and a month and
040a half later, we received no response to any of our emails. Uh we say that we want enrollment here in the district, but when a family like mine committed to this city and these students tries to enroll, we're left with silence. How can we ask families to believe in a system if the system doesn't believe in them? Certainly, we would appreciate some followup from that. Aaron Litzy, thank you. Good evening. Uh Darlene Willis is 572 Bunton Street, Memphis, Tennessee. Uh dear uh fellow board members. Um I would like to speak on the charter off questioning whether there's a demand for schools serving the homeless students. I'm here for the Dreamcatching Academy. Um, I wanted to find out whether or not how can anyone doubt this when there's over 2,000 homeless students are documented by the
041district itself. The Dream Catchers Academy Charter School will be a model directly addressing the population that is so underserved, marginalized, and forgotten. Unlike other schools, we focus solely on providing stability and academy excellence for the students who are often invisible in our system. We appreciate if you all can just support us on this matter. Thank you. >> Marcus Randolph, my angel Benton Centuria Johnson. Marcus Randolph, 2797 East Hickory Bluff. Um, we must be a little careful about what we say in the press. Uh, we looked at today I watched the interview with you, Dr. Richmond, and um, we got 45 schools with air conditioning problems. Also, why should any of our teachers pay for a cheer coach at East High School? Everything you do, everything you say will be scrutinized. Whether you like it or
042not, this started off bad. And the only advice I got for you, do the work. Stop trying to make yourself look good. If you do the work, the work will speak for itself. I understand that. Even though I don't like a lot of you, I don't wish that you fail. Reason being, if I wish that you fail, I wish that our students fail. Thank you. Good evening. I'm Miss My Angel Benton, 546 Frasier Drive, Memphis, Tennessee 38127. I'm here to support KIF Cordova Collegiate Elementary School. I'm a proud Kip Memphis teacher and active community member. I've seen how KIP transforms lives through high expectations, inclusive spaces, and investing in every child's future. At KIP, we don't just teach, we empower. Cordova deserves a school that uplifts, leads, and listens to families. That's why I strongly
043support opening a new Kilip Elementary School in Cordova. Your vote for the new Kil Cordova is a vote for more classrooms like mine where high expectations meet deep relationships and lasting impacts. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Centuria Johnson. I reside at 3428 Kirby Parkway and I am here to ask that you all approve Dream Catcher Charter. I am currently in a homeless situation with my daughter who is 11 years old. I have seen firsthand the work that Dr. Ker and all of the board members and everyone involved in Dreamcatchers has done. They have helped me and my daughter. We have not only come from a hotel and a extended stay, we are now in a rooming house. And for me to have to constantly move her from school to school because I have
044nowhere to live based on my disability and the fact that I cannot get a job at the moment is ridiculous. And also the fact that you all are thinking about not granting this charter school the ability to help my daughter and other kids like my daughter is absurd. I would ask you all to really think about and ask yourselves what is the message that you're sending my daughter Faith Johnson. Are you telling her that her education does not matter because she's homeless? I just ask that you all consider her and the rest of the homeless kids who are going through things with their family. Thank you. Melissa Thomas, Kesha Jones, Patricia Ross. Hello, my name is Melissa Thomas and I reside at 4829 Judy Lynn and I'm here for to speak on behalf of the
045Dream uh Chaser School. I feel as though we need the school because we have so many children that are out here. They don't have any support at all. They need to feel belong somewhere. If if we keep pushing them away and not giving them some hope, where are they going to be? We we have to also think about them like we think about ours. We want our children to have an education. We want our children to have free will. Why not that be for the homeless kids? They already go through enough. Please think about the dream chaser school. Thank you. Good evening. My name is Kesha Jones. My address is 45005 Shadow Creek Street, Memphis 38141. Um I'm speaking in behalf of the Dreamcatchers Academy. Um the Dreamcatchers Academy is offering solution to provide for
046the homeless children in our community and just in Shelby County period. um is requiring to do a safe school environment designed for the uniqueness and needs of the kids that are in need. Um these are children that's moving from school to school that have no stability, nowhere to stay. And Dreamcatchers Academy is offering stability by providing education, by providing the needs of these children, by providing the needs even of those that are homeless. Right now, we are asking that you all consider Dream Catchers Academy and approve them to have education in our community. Thank you. Good evening, dear school board, the charter school. >> I'm sorry. My name is Patricia. I apologize. My name is Patricia Ross. 2446 Park Avenue 38114. That's in Memphis, Tennessee. My apologies. Dear school board, the charter school office re
047recommended or re recommendation was to deny the Dreamcatchers Academy. That was a mistake. Just because the staff office makes a recommendation, it doesn't mean that the electric the elected board that's blindly accepted it. Okay? Think about it like it's a doctor's office. If a doctor recommended surgery, up to me, it's up to the patient to actually go and get a second opinion to use the wisdom. But you, you're the elected leaders. You're the ones who must weigh and also have the evidence to make the decision. The evidence is clear. Dreamcatchers is needed. Please correct the error. The charter school office and the dream catchers vote homeless youth for Shelby County. Our last three speakers, Amber Crawford, Venita Dogget, Dr. Gerald Ker. Good evening. My name is Amber Crawford. My address is 4915 Saddle Horn Drive,
048Memphis, Tennessee 38125. Memphis Shel Shelby County Schools has often been criticized with some pointing to the statistics to justify a state takeover. But a proven dream catchers academy can change this narrative instantly. By opening the first charter school for homeless students, you show the world that the district is not just surviving, but it's also innovating. You demonstrate a proactive approach to the most challenging issues that we face in education today, which are poverty, instability, and homelessness. The decision, this decision to approve Dreamcatchers Academy, can put Memphis back on the map for forwardthinking educational leadership. So do not let this opportunity go by as we do need this opportunity in our community. Thank you. >> Good evening board members. Venita Dog at 4678 Orange Tulum Drive. I'm here to speak on item 10.1 policy 0000 schoolboard
049meetings and flag a proposed change that would shift the meeting posting the meeting agenda to 48 hours before a work session or business meeting instead of your 5 days. I'd like to note that while I understand that the state law creates this as a minimum, this body has traditionally used 5 days as a way to provide greater transparency to the public. As a former board policy um staffer and board office staff, I'd urge the board to maintain its previous standards as it has served as a best practice for others across the state. Thank you. Good evening, school board members, Mr. Superintendent. Um, I'm Gerald Kiner, 145 Fleece Allen Drive, Memphis, Tennessee 38 103. Um, I just want to say it's a life-changing opportunity not only for the students who are homeless in Memphis and Chevy
050County, but also for this district to become the first school board in the country to create a homeless charter school would be innovative, would be breathtaking, would gain us national uh attention. Just because someone recommends something doesn't mean we accept it. The charter school office unfortunately did not recommend us. But again, my doctor can recommend surgery, but doesn't mean I'm going to accept it. My doctor can recommend medicine, doesn't mean I'm going to accept it. You have to use your heart and your common sense in these moments. Representative Carolyn Camper, who is one of the most wellrespected women in politics on both sides of the aisle. She knows the crucial importance of this moment. So, I'm asking you all to seize the moment to do something and break the narrative of our negativity that the
051state attributes to our school board into our city. You all can do this. Thank you to our speakers. We're now on to the approval of the minutes from the following meetings. Approval of the minutes from the June 17, 2025 work session meeting. Are there any corrections? There being no corrections, do we have a motion to approve these minutes? >> I move to approve the minutes. A >> second. >> Motion by board member Murphy, second by board member Porter. Roll call vote, please. Board member McKisik. >> Hi. >> Board member Garcia. >> Hi. >> Board member Porter. >> Hi. >> Board member Murphy. >> Hi. >> Board member Love. >> Hi. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> Hi. >> Board Chair Coleman. >> I. >> You have eight in the affirmative.
052>> Thank you. That motion is passes. Approval of the minutes of the June 24th, 2025 business meeting. Are there any corrections? There being no corrections, may I have a motion to approve in a second? >> I move to approve the minutes. >> Second. >> Motion by board member Murphy, second by board member McKisik. Roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisick. I >> board member Garcia. >> I >> board member Porter. >> I >> board member Murphy. >> I >> board member Love. >> I >> board member Otay. >> I >> board member Williams. >> I >> board chair Coleman. >> I. >> You have Aiden affirmative. >> Thank you. That motion passes. >> We're now on to our report, our committee reports. 8.1. the board chair's report. We have a very special presentation we
053would like to do at this time. Miss Timberlake, please. Happy birthday, Michelle. Okay, I know we were late saying happy birthday, but you're the only person I know that actually celebrates the entire month of their birthday from June 1st through June 30th or 31st, whatever. But I want to say happy birthday. I know you had a great day and I wish you many, many more. >> Happy happy birthday, Michelle. I hope you enjoyed your wonderful, wonderful birthday. >> Happy birthday, boy. Michelle McKisick. Uh, thank you for all your hard work and dedication that you poured into our school system. I know you spent many late nights, countless nights, sleepless nights. As you can see, it's night time when I'm doing this because I'm working hard just like you. But again, happy birthday. >> Happy birthday,
054Michelle McKissy. It has been a joy watching your kids grow up, especially this. >> Happy birthday, Michelle. I know your birthday was in June, but this is July and we didn't get a chance to say happy birthday to you. So, happy birthday. Enjoy. I can't say enjoy your day because you was already gone. So enjoy the birthday that you did have and the trip that you did have. So have a great birthday. Best wishes. Happy birthday Michelle. I hope you had a wonderful day and you were celebrated. I am so thankful to serve with you and to call you my friend. Love you. >> Happy birthday board member McKis. [Music] If I may, thank you all so much. You know that I'm just kind of lowkey. >> Well, here we go. One one more time.
055Let's do it again. Um, but thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I I thoroughly enjoy. It's been uh just an experience always to to to work and come together because we all have that same go same goal of helping children. So, thank you so much for those kind words. Much appreciated. >> Thank you. And we just want you to know we appreciate you and wish you the best. Is Angel Basley present with us this evening? Angel, we want her to be present when we recognize her. Board members, if you all want to go down, we're going to recognize her. We want to recognize Miss Angel Basisley, I may be saying the last name incorrectly, for winning a top honor and do the right thing writing competition. Angel of sixth grade in Hamilton K8
056will be representing MSCS as a national ambassador for our region. This award is a prestigious honor that reflects both her brilliance and the transformative power of student voice within our district. [Applause] They concludes the chair's report. We are now on to academic performance committee report. No report. >> We're now on to budget audit and finance committee report. >> Yes. Thank you, chair. I just have a few items. First, uh we talked about this uh last week at our work session, but our teachers listening one first, welcome back. We can't wait to start school next week. Uh but your teacher bonus checks, we have received our uh our cash from the state and so that will be on your Friday, August 1st check. So we we are just following up on our promise last week. We
057want to let you know that you should see those $2,000 bonuses. Uh we will be bringing our budget calendar next month and starting in the committee um so we can get that approved and get all of the uh budget meetings and retreats that we need to have uh well ahead of where we were at last year and including it in our strategic priorities that I know were coming and some of the facilities conversations that are coming up. So expect a budget calendar. Um and then the last uh thing I want to flag is that we do need to do a business business systems review. So start thinking about the priorities and the things that we want to see um connected both to our strategic plan but also personal board priorities. So getting those ideas ready
058to share for committee next month. >> Thank you. That concludes budget audit and finance committee report. Thank you. We're charter schools committee report. >> Everything's on the agenda. >> Thank you. 8.5 community outreach and engagement committee report. No report. 8.6 evaluation committee report. There's no report tonight. Policy governance and legislation committee report. Yes. Thank you, Chair Coleman. Um, we have a couple of announcements. Our board governance training request for information documents came back in. I believe that GC Bailey sent all of us um copies of that information. Could you please take a look? or no, I'm sorry, he did not. Uh, forgive my cloudy brain. I will send them all to to everyone for us to um review and discuss at our next board committee meetings. So, you did send them to everyone. Okay. Yeah,
059I thought so. Okay, then I'm not so cloudy. Okay. Yes, you got them in your emails. So please review those so that we can um discuss whether any of those are things that are meeting the expectations that we have set forth in the um RFI. The next thing that I wanted to um make sure that you all did and remembered, we will be having our board relations training on August 15th at TSBA in Nashville. There is a survey that TSBA has asked us to fill out by August 8th. I want to remind everyone to please fill that out. And I also sent you all the um proposed agenda as well that if you could give your input and feedback by Friday, that would be great so that we can get it back to TSBA. And
060finally, um I just wanted to say you we talked about the um student board member policy and needing to do that last board um committee meeting if you recall. And I think we saw all the youth come and say they're ready and waiting for it. So, um I I um know that we we hear you youth um and that um I believe that Miss Stewart met with them to get their names so that she can figure out how um well they can figure out how to select the representatives that they want um to put on the policy advisory committee. I think that um we need to be creative about trying to get a a wide variety of students. So this is just one one um um set of suit students. So I would definitely ask
061that our policy office think about how we we do that and make sure we incorporate a wide perspective of students. And I want to say too that um we heard the youth um and we even talked about adult and youth equity training dur during our last board committee meeting. So I think that's something that we'll put on our board committee um agenda as well. So, I think that is all that we have for the policy um committee report. If anybody has um anything that I've missed, please let me know. Make sure that you let Miss Waters know if you're planning on going Thursday up to Nashville so the hotel accommodations can be made or if you're going to stay Friday night over till Saturday. Please let her know that by Friday so she can make
062our hotel accommodations for who which one you want to do. Which one? Uno one. Thank you. >> Thank you. That's the end of my report. Thank you. Procurement committee report. Everything is on the agenda this evening. >> Excuse Excuse me, Madam Chair. I apologize. I think this is where we talk about the facilities under procurement. Is that correct? >> I thought it was >> just want to just make the announcement for the ad hoc uh facilities committee. That's going to happen on August 13th at the TLA building at 5:30. Uh everyone that's on the committee should have have already gotten an email and they have should uh should have gotten a draft of the agenda. Uh again, we we heard you. Uh for our scholars, we heard you. We do still have two slots for
063student uh representatives and we're still um looking for those two teachers to be nominated by the the two uh um teachers union. So we we we hear you youth and we are looking forward to having uh two of you uh represent um the community and our school district as well on the facilities ad hoc committee and that's going to be on August 13th at 5:30 at the TLA building. >> We're now on to the general counsel's report. Uh good evening board members. Interim superintendent no report this evening. >> We're now on to superintendent report. >> Yes. Good evening board members. Uh tonight I want to present the main structure of our updated organizational chart. I know people have had questions about it which provides a clear and strategic view of how Memphis Shelby County Schools
064is organized to operate more efficiently and effectively. Uh the chart will outline the alignment of our departments and the reporting relationships to key district leaders, offering insight into how we're structuring to deliver our core priorities. Uh while individual names and some unfilled positions have been intentionally excluded for clarity and confidentiality, the full version, including all finalized staff and details, will be uploaded to board docs for your comprehensive review. This updated organizational framework reflects our continued commitment to a leadership structure that is transparent, responsive, and grounded in accountability. More importantly, it supports our mission to ensure every action we take is rooted in putting students first, creating the conditions for academic excellence across the district. In addition to the organization chart, we're also excited to announce the launch of our new regional structure. This model divides
065the district into four geographical regions, each led by a regional superintendent. These leaders will provide localized consistent support to schools within their assigned region. Our focus is ensuring stronger communication, fostering problem solving and deeper engagement with principles, teachers, families, students, and our communities. This structure is also aligned with the greatness grows here model reinforcing commitment to the five A's academics athletics arts attitude and attendance each of each of which is essential to developing well-rounded successful students. We'll also follow up with an update on preK uh where we'll provide the historical context impact and next steps. Next slide. So the MSCS organizational chart um I wanted to start with the regional region first. So the regional structure next slide. Uh first of all I want to thank you board members for supporting us around the regional
066structure. Next slide. Of course, you all know we've mentioned our f five A's which are the foundation of our academic plan and our commitment to every student. Next slide. Introducing our regions. So, we want to compare the organizational structure in MCS to what it was last year. Last year, we were broken up into what you would call performance networks. As you all know, we had our source schools which were our A and B schools. We had our Ignite schools which were our C schools and we had our DNF schools which were our soup schools. And in those performance networks, they emphasize collaboration and flexibility allowing the organization to respond quickly to changes. However, under the regional structure, the focus is on localized decisionmaking, enhancing the responsiveness and accountability in specific areas throughout our whole entire
067county. The reason for this shift is the need for better alignment and strategic focus uh which will drive the shifts from performance networks to regional leadership. Next slide. Why the shift? So, the performance networks to regional leadership. Why? Performance-based networks in response to the challenges introduce performance-based networks to enhance school support and accountability. As you all know, last year we talked about ecosystems and how we uh pushed behavior specialists. We pushed uh family engagement specialists. We pushed many support staff into schools. What happened when we did that is that uh principles were responsible for mileage reporting of time and the like around those network performance structure. The shift to regions will adopt a regional model aimed at aligning schools geographically for better resource allocation. So those same resources will be in the regions and they'll
068be deployed. This is a is a better model because in the old model I could have had to travel across town if I were a network leader versus traveling in a geographical region. Also community engagement. The new model fosters stronger community ties enhancing collaboration between schools and local communities. We want to have more of a community approach as we move into the regional model. Next slide. old versus new structure grouping principle. In the network performance-based model that we were in last year, we were placing schools by letter grade. If you recall, letter grades are fluid. Many of our letter grades changed in December, but we still left our schools in those network groupings. When you think about the regional model, it would be based on geographical feeder patterns. Next leadership focus, we targeted our interventions
069and most of the interventions were put in soup schools. With the regional structure, it would be communitywide support in the regions. Next, equity strategy. We focus primarily on the lowest performing schools. When you look at this, we'll focus on a broader access for all neighborhoods. Next, curriculum alignment. It was fragmented again across networks. When you look at the regional alignment, we'll be looking at what you would call vertical K12 alignment or vertical K16 alignment. And what that means is when we start talking about dual enrollment, when we start talking about our students who attend medical district high school who one day graduated with a diploma and the next day with an associates degree, those are the type of things that we're talking about in the in the feeder pattern. Regional uh structure is what we'll
070be able to look at when you talk about CBU and how we're partnering with CBU around dual enrollment and dual credit. Next, teacher distribution incentives and low-rated schools. We want to balance our staffing across regions. Student programs, strong and top rated schools. We want shared programs again across all regions. And we're talking about every feeder pattern. Every region should have strong feeder patterns. I use the white white station feeder pattern because that's probably the feeder pattern that most of our families most identify with when you're talking about a strong elementary school, a strong middle school, and a strong high school. What we want to introduce is we expect to have strong feeder patterns throughout our whole entire district in all four of our regions. Next, student programs, strong and top rated schools. Well, we want
071shared programs across all regions. Um, I'll mention one of our county commissioners have talked about in their particular district there are no optional schools. Well, no one should say that all of our schools should be optional schools. All of our schools should be strong. All of our feeder patterns should be strong. But that's what people mean when they feel as though there's not equity and access throughout our whole entire district. Next, facility planning, centralized decision. Moving to this, it'll be region-led and community aligned plans. So, when I think about uh city council and county commission, you're talking about super districts, super districts are aligned uh east and west. So when you think about on the east side of our of our school system, when I looked at all of the schools in the east and
072start to look for a regional office, the only location we could really locate that was underutilized was the annexation at Ridgeway High School. What that tells you is that that's where many of our students are have migrated. That's where many of our buildings have reached utilization levels of uh 90% or higher. When you think about the west side of our community, that's where we have a lot of low utilization. That's where we're going to have to do a lot of right sizing. Having that information by region helps us to make realtime decisions particularly around facilities. Next, operation efficiency. We had seven networks last year and they were siloed efforts. uh for most of the year those networks were not filled with a network leader. So what people should also know is that uh for most
073of the time last year we had five network leaders and in some instances for probably about a quarter of the year we may have only had four network leaders who were responsible for over 169 schools. And so that was probably close to a 35 or 40:1 uh principal to supervisor ratio. We're looking at four regions, five if you include the iPhone, which will create streamlined operations. And then last but not least, community engagement, limited and confusing. With this, we can establish local pride and clear contact points, which will be those regional offices. Next slide. And again, I wanted to go over this to just kind of explain to people the difference in the two organizational structures as I present the org charts. Next, key benefits of regional model. Aligned K12 curriculum. So, uh, an aligned
074K12 curriculum ensures consistency and educational standards. Community connections. Stronger community connections enhance support systems for students to foster collaborative learning environments. Tracking of student growth. Aligning the curriculum makes it easier to track and support students. And lastly, balanced resource distribution. Next, retaining the best. We still will have our eyes. We're bringing our innovative school zone back. We'll have dedicated support by uh region for those eyes schools which will serve as dedicated support uh as a dedicated support region to assist our most challenged effective schools. A new bottom 5% list of schools is coming out this fall. Targeted help and network through the eyes and then systemic improvements. It also focus on broad systemic improvements derived from regional initiatives for a holistic approach. Next slide. What stakeholders ask for. So our stakeholders have asked for equity
075and access. Stakeholders emphasize the importance of equity and access to education and programming for all students. Support for high mobility students. As we know our students, many of our students about a third move uh two to three times a year. So there's a strong need for tailored support systems for them. Investment in neighborhoods. We want to invest in our neighborhoods. stakeholders have asked for increased investments in every neighborhood. I'll use turf fields for example in the northwest quadrant where we have Crump Stadium. That is the only turf field and is the field that is probably the most utilized in that northwest region because all of the high schools use that field except for uh BTW. that every other school in that quadrant uh also even Hamilton which is in the southwest also uses that field
076because again we don't have enough uh turf fields andor green spaces throughout many of our underresourced areas to accommodate all of our students uh and uh those resources that we want for them. Next, stronger feeder patterns. Creating strong feeder patterns between schools can improve student transitions and educational outcomes. Students shouldn't uh go to their neighborhood elementary and middle school and then want to transfer to another high school um when they reach high school level. Students should want to remain uh in their neighborhoods. I think about the White Haven feeder pattern and I think about the White Haven empowerment zone. We're going to talk about that later. Most of those students dream of going on to White Haven High School. Why shouldn't all of our communities when students start in elementary school, why shouldn't they dream
077of participating uh in athletics and in the school experience within their local communities. Next slide. Our path forward uh connected educational pathways. So again focusing on feet of strength creating seamless transitions from elementary to middle and high school regional accountability organized by regions allows for easier tracking of student progress and support and support along with deployment. When we think about chronic absenteeism, many times chronic absenteeism can be traced to one home where you may have four or five students who are in that feeder pattern, but may very well be in elementary, middle, and high schools. Moving to the regional model allows us to look at that data and to attack that one home versus again when we were separated by networks uh and grades versus we were also at one time aligned by grade levels.
078Uh the regional model helps us to do that better. Local leadership importance. Regional superintendent possessing knowledge of their communities. Regional superintendent are being expected to know these areas in these communities like the back of their hands. Equitable programming sharing programming initiatives aim to eliminate disparities between have and have not schools promoting equity in education. Uh I also think about when we look regionally and we start to repurpose schools, why wouldn't we have a hospitality hub in every region? So we've heard people talk about homeless uh families. Why wouldn't there be a hospitality hub when we start talking about closing, repurposing, merging schools? Why wouldn't we repurpose some of these schools and some of these unders under underresourced communities as hospitality hubs? So, guess what? If I'm homeless, I can remain in the neighborhood that I
079have some attachment to. My family and I do not have to move all around the county uh in order for us to be accommodated as houseless individuals. Next slide. recommendations for continued success. Again, the isone support for schools, maintaining strong support for low performance schools. We're going to continue with that. Regional support teams. Each regional office will have an ecosystem of support and we'll talk about that when I move to the org chart. Advisory councils. Again, I'm going to use White Haven as an example. They have an extremely strong advisory council. First thing we want to do is to ensure all of our schools have sightbased decisionmaking councils. We want parents to feel included and to come into the school and to take part uh in their child's uh education. But we also want to
080look at having advisory councils by regions again that are tailored to those communities. And last but not least, consistent curriculum, keeping the curriculum consistent across regions to ensure equitable education for all students. Next slide. Reimagining leadership, inclusive leadership, transforming leadership by focusing on inclusivity and ensuring equitable resources, personalized education. Every student counts in this district. And last but not least, value perspectives, every voice. We heard our student voice. And I want to thank those students for coming and acting and voicing uh themselves appropriately. We appreciate you all and we hear you. Next slide. regional model impact the importance of collaboration. Collaboration among educators, students and communities is crucial. This work cannot take place in isolation uh within a school. It takes it's going to take the whole entire community wrapping our arms uh around our
081schools but also join in arms to turn these schools and communities around. Stakeholder input involving stakeholders in the educational process ensures that all needs and perspectives are considered. And last but not least, innovative practices. Implementing innovative practices can greatly enhance the learning experience and engagement of all our students. Next, these are our regional superintendence. And trust me when I tell you, I didn't handpick not one single person. Every person that's part of my leadership team went through several steps toward being selected. Every one of them. Every one of them went through a panel interview. Every one of them went through three or four different tasks in order for them to reach me for a finalist interview. I've always had uh interview panels to interview people. I've never ever in my life selected a person arbitrarily
082to be a part of any team that I've ever selected. Here's the regional team. Next slide. Southwest region will be head up by Dr. Michael Lowe. And here's the schools that represent that. Next slide. Northeast region. Dr. Kimberly Chandler. These are the schools that make up the Northeast region. Next slide. Southwest region. If you look, it's not as many schools here. And you're going to see on the next slide because many of the schools in the southwest region currently are what we would call our zone schools. However, even though they're with the zone, they're still assigned to a region. So when things are happening in that region, those schools will still operate within the region. The only reason they're being pulled out is because of some of the the regulatory uh requirements of schools that
083are in the bottom 5%, our CSI schools. Next slide. Dr. Terren Britnham. Uh let me also go back because I want to point out what we also tried to do is I talk about the org chart. I tried to be careful about any disruption this year. My team and I approached what we did with a scalpel. Uh, and if you notice, you haven't had a lot of disruption. You haven't had a lot of employees. Of course, we have oneoffs. We have 14,000 employees. We've tried to take every single employee uh into consideration. As you heard me on my Fox interview, I'm always gentle on people. I'm always taking into consideration as well as I've told my team to take into consideration the human condition. These are human beings that we're dealing with and we always
084want to deal with people with compassion. And so if you go back, I want to kind of give you my thinking. All of these people interviewed unless they were already in a role that was similar. Okay? Dr. Chandler was a network leader. Dr. Chandler, uh, Dr. Britnham, and Dr. Fox, they were network leaders. Being that they were network leaders, there was a title change for them because the regional superintendent model based on the number of schools that they had last year and them meeting those qualifications, which required you to have led a cadre of schools with proving results. Okay? We vetted those individuals last year. The only reason Dr. low and and and Miss Brooks received the interview is because they had experience in leading a cadre of schools. You couldn't have just led one
085school. You have had to have worked in upper administration leading a cadre of schools to even qualify to be in these roles. Next slide. Dr. Low. Next slide. Northeast region. Next slide. Southeast Southwest region as I explained to you by Miss Brooks. Next slide, Dr. Bridna. Next slide, Dr. Fox. Eyes on. Next slide. I also want to point out this. This is what uh some people may call uh the portfolio that we have as Memphis Shelby County Schools. Uh but I'd like to call it the choice portfolio. Uh and for the listening public, here's the breakdown of regions. What we like to do. Uh, and this at one time when we went through the merger, we called it the multiple paths to autonomy. And what this was really set up for is for principles and
086schools and communities to earn a certain level of autonomy based on how well your school did, the effectiveness of your principal, the effectiveness of your teachers. But I wanted to give you all this perspective so you would have again another way of looking at what our choice portfolio looks like across Shelby County because many times people don't really understand it. Okay. So we're moving into these four regions. We eventually would like to have an office of innovation and that office of innovation will look at uh autonomy. It'll look at uh how charters as well as our traditional schools can better work together. Uh we'll test different types of innovation. So, we have our eyes on there. But you also see I have I put in there the White Haven empowerment zone because they've approached me
087about possibly having that back. And so I've added it here because I could see other communities wanting innovation zones. But we need to define what will that look like and how will communities earn having those empowerment zones. Then next you see our pre and existing charters which is 55 charters. I wanted you all to see that. And then I wanted you all to see at the state of Tennessee you still have the ASD that still has a set of charters. Also you have a charter commission. So, I wanted you to see how our portfolio is shaping up and how it looks across our county. Next slide. Thank you. That concludes again why we're moving from networks to regionalization. Okay. Next slide. I want to give you all a very high level of the organizational chart
088and then I'll take questions. Next slide. Officer superintendent, these are my direct reports. go back. These are my direct reports. I want to explain this for you. When the council of great city schools came back, they wanted me to select in that academic audit, they wanted me to select three deputy superintendent and about five assistant superintendents. I've heard people talk about we are topheavy. My team and I have told them we're gonna do more with less because people still think that we are topheaded. Dr. Whitaw was and I didn't want to have three deputy superintendent cuz people would have said we are extremely topheavy. Dr. Whitaw was the deputy superintendent. She's now the chief academic officer. So what we did was went to a sea. Mr. Langston was the assistant superintendent of business operations. He's
089now the chief of business operations. The audit also said that we needed to bring academics all together and all of student support services together. I have a chief of student support services and you're going to see how all of that work has been brought together. Chief of staff. The prior administration had an assistant to the superintendent. It's interchangeable. Chief of Business Operation, Mr. Langston, chief of human resources. That is Miss Oliver, who I recruited to come here. We posted, she came, and I thought that was a win for the district to get someone who was the HR person at FedEx to want to come here. the number one employee. You want to come and work for the number two employee? Regional superintendent will report to me. Strategic communications, that's Mr. Johnson. He's remained at the
090same level. Research and evaluation, that's Mr. White. He's remained at the same level. Interim chief of safety and security was was uh Carolyn Jackson who who has who has returned to help us shore up, which I've shared with you all. And then our facilities officer is Miss Michelle Stewart. Next slide. If you look at all of the This is the my office. That's Tammy Edwards and Audrey Smith. And then the chief of staff. Next slide. General counsel. Next slide. This is general counsel. I will point out on this slide. Labor and employee rights is probably a shared management relationship between HR and general counsel. Office of economic opportunities is probably again a shared responsibility between business ops and general counsel and internal audit is probably a shared management relationship between general counsel and myself. But
091when general counsel started to report to the board, these were the roles and responsibilities that were put underneath him. And so those things have remained until the board says that we can or should move them. Next slide. Chief of staff, we have director of K16 strategies, our pathway to greatness. That's Miss Monica Jordan. Family and community engagement. I haven't touched those departments. The people who've been leading those departments are the same and the departments are still the same as they were last year. And that's uh Dr. Stevenson and that's Miss Rogers in partnerships and advancement. Next slide. Communications, that's Mr. Johnson. Communications has remained the same. Nothing has changed. Next slide. Oh, and let me add this. The departments I gave a heavy focus on academics. My focus has mainly been on academics, but I'm
092going to start to focus on business operations would be the next department that I focus on as well as communications. Those two departments are two departments that and and there some things in HR that we need to look at that I'll be moving toward. But my main focus this year in stabilizing the district and preparing us to move forward has been a focus on academics because that's what has to move the needle for us. Next slide. Research and evaluation. That's Mr. White. That department is the same. Next slide. Academics as I shared with you all. Next slide. Dr. White Law. And because that department is so robust, Miss Ker has moved into a deputy CEO role because that's a lot. That's a lot. And again, the council of Great City Schools said make it a
093deputy and to have two assistant superintendent in this department. Still trying to remain lean. Next slide. Regional superintendent. I've talked to you all about regional soups and the ecosystem. Uh I want to talk about the instructional leadership coaches and I want to introduce them. But let me give this caveat. Last year at this time we did not have principal coaches in the budget around August maybe September. Mr. Langston can tell me for sure they were added to the budget. They were added to the budget, but we never selected the principal coaches. Once we got deep into the year to select, most of the time people going to serve as principal coaches are going to be principles. I did not want to disrupt schools. It was it's too important. So, we did not hire principal coaches
094during the school year. So, I want the the public to know as well as the board, these are not new positions that have been added. These 10 positions were in the budget last year. We just did not hire for them. I'd like to introduce our instructional leadership coaches who also went through an extremely rigorous interview process. Miss Grace Bailey from Nashville. Please stand. Let's give Miss Bailey a round of applause. [Applause] Miss Ashley Callerie from Nashville. [Applause] Miss Charlotte Danley from White Station Middle. [Applause] Dr. Drayton Hawkins. Is Dr. Hawkins here? He's from Oakidge. I'm going just tell you what. He's from Oak Ridge, Tennessee. reward school, letter grade A school at a high school. We recruited him to Memphis and we're excited to have him. Next, we have Miss Sheree Jones. Miss Jones, please
095stand. Miss Jones was a network leader. She had not led a quadre of schools. So, we place Miss Jones as an instructional leadership coach. and I want to thank her because she has been an exemplary principal in school turnaround. Thank you, Miss Jones. [Applause] Next, we have Miss Kimber McBride. Is Miss McBride in? Miss McBride was was not a Memphis Shelby County Schools employee. She was recruited back to the district. Also, Dr. Leviticus Pointer. Dr. Pointer. Dr. Pointer has done school turnaround. Dr. Pointer was one of our former instructional leadership directors. And when you see the data that comes out of Kirby High from what Dr. Pointer did this past year as the principal, it was extremely impressive. So, I want to thank Dr. Pointer for his service. Next, we have Dr. Janice Tangson. Dr.
096Tenson [Applause] Dr. Tankson has been leading schools. She was our assistant superintendent and Dr. Tankson has taken the role of one of our instructional leadership coaches. Uh the last time she was an instructional leadership director. She did outstanding work with many of the schools that were in the southwest region. So I want to thank Dr. Tankson and that's where she'll serve as an instructional leadership coach. Next we have Miss Vita Turner. And I don't know if Miss Vita Turner is here. Miss Vita Turner was a late add-on uh to the team, Miss Vita Turner. And so currently we have nine instructional leadership coaches. We haven't decided if we're going to uh post the last one. Again, if we need it, we will. if we do not need it. I believe in not uh being wasteful
097uh and being someone who values the resources uh of our school system and the resources of our community. Next slide. Student support services. I want to introduce uh Dr. Broadway. Dr. Broadway who's joined us from Allentown. She was also recruited in by way of interview. Next slide. Human resources. Again, I can't say enough about uh Miss Oliver, Miss Christopher Oliver who's joined us. We want to thank Miss Oliver. [Applause] Next slide. Business operations is headed up by Mr. Tito Langston. And Tito wears he still wears a lot of hats and I want to thank him for all the hats that that he wears. Thank you, brother Langston, for that. [Applause] Next slide. Facilities. Miss Michelle Stewart. We want to thank Miss Stewart for her work. I really appreciate Miss Stewart. Next slide. Safety and security.
098Again, Major Jackson, interim chief of safety and security. Next slide. And I think that's it in regards to regionalization and the new org structure. Again, this is a highlevel org structure. The rest of it is about a hundred slides. I didn't want to I didn't want to waste it would have taken almost probably two hours to go through an hour and a half to go through all of the slides. Uh I'll take any questions regarding the regional structure or chart and then we're going to go into uh Miss Gordon reporting out on prek. So any questions regarding those two items. >> Board member Love, board member McKenna, board member Porter, board member Williams. >> Thank you for your presentation. I have a couple of questions. Um, the first thing I want to do is thank
099everybody for their positions. It deserves a hand clap. Um, >> um, Dr. Richmond hasn't working. and the best is yet to come with all of us collaborating on students only. But I do have a couple of questions uh for the feeder patterns. I am a strong component of feeder patterns and um I have a suggestion. >> Yes ma'am. The principles of the theater patterns are going to have to get to know the elementary schools and the uh middle schools before they come to the uh high schools. No student, especially uh Raleigh, Egypt and Oak Haven, >> they should be so close connected that each other smell their perfume. >> They are on the same campus >> and most of those kids generate from the middle uh the elementary school to the high school and uh
100so on the community engagement people they have to know the schools in which they serve. The only way we're going to be um uh straightforward with the parents is they have to know the issues that are going on in those schools. I share a district with Amber uh Huitt Aquaria and Natalie McKini. Um the presentation says that they are not in my region. But my address is zoned to Amber Huitt Garcia school >> and they um um they are going to have to talk to the network providers to get the most benefit from the students and the parents and same as Natie. Um, I am excited. >> I'm excited, too. >> Yeah. Um, if everything pans out, this will be a successful year. Students and parents and principles and the community working together. >> Thank
101you. Thank you. >> Thank you. Um, Dr. Richmond, this is um an example of some good hard work and I want to say thank you to you and to your team. So, thank you very much. Um with that said, it's it's it's a lot and so I would I would appreciate as we move through um the year that we highlight some how this work so that we can so that the community and we understand how this is all flowing. So, I I really appreciate that. A few um observations. The curriculum alignment. I I really appreciate you thinking about how you're aligning curriculum within these regions so that we can have that fluid from elementary um to middle to high school. For instance, if I'm I'm interested in STEM, then I can I can do that
102all the way through in my community. I don't but if I do move or I want to go somewhere else I can still go to those other regions and pick up >> right so aligned curriculum is absolutely important and so I appreciate that and also given the transitory nature of some of our our families um I do want to make sure that people understand and I said that because people might have questions about the impact on choice and so could you make sure that you explain very clearly that this feeder pattern does not impact choice. In fact, the way you're looking at it encourages choice. >> Parents can still apply for uh choice and open enrollment transfers. However, what we're wanting to do is for parents to be happy and satisfied with the schools right
103there uh within their community so that they do not have to apply uh for transfers. But again, open enrollment and optional school transfers will continue even uh even though we'll implement uh regions across. >> Okay. And you were speaking my language when every school should be optional. I don't know what optional elementary school looks like. Everybody elementary students should be learning the same thing and have the same high quality. So I appreciate that. And finally, investments in neighborhoods. you you talked about how that's going to be important as we look at our facilities and how we are using our buildings and being and thank you for being honest and forthright because I think we all have been saying we're going to have to close and consolidate schools because there are some that are underutilized. And
104so that's why we're working with the community um with our community advocates and we're working with our community um with expertise to help us think through that process. >> And and an example board member McKenna of really repurposing and I want to thank Miss Stewart and her team is we repurposed again uh Ridgeway High School uh annex. It used to be a ninth grade academy. Uh it had been closed. Uh I want to thank uh chair uh Coleman uh and board member Murphy for attending uh the ribbon cutting of that particular regional office. But now within that building which was closed, we have our two uh east region offices that are in there as well as uh our virtual schools program. So what we've done is we've repurposed that building and that building now is
105serving again as a hub uh for our regional offices as well as a hub for our grades 412 virtual school and our adult virtual schools. And so those are some of the the innovative things we want to do when it comes to uh repurposing buildings that may not be being utilized. >> Thank you. And I'm going to correct you. It's not if it's when this works out. It's going to be phenomenal. this regional structure not if when >> board member Porter >> uh thank you chair chair thank you to superintendent uh it does seem like you you have your army in place and I am excited about the work is ahead but uh given the fact that when we talk about having a clean slate that how will your regional superintendents be held accountable for
106the feeder pattern outcomes? >> Thank you for that question. uh every region is going to have a scorecard and that scorecard will uh filter up to me. Uh so we'll be cascading. So if when we start to look at the data across the regions, you know, for example, if we're uh at 29.5% uh in ELA for grades 3 through five and we're adding five or 10% to that, each one of those regions will be responsible for uh being somewhere in the ballpark of 38 or 39% uh proficient in ELA in grades 3 through 5. Well, what does that look like when you look at all of your elementary schools in grades three through five and looking at where they were with proficiency and adding that percentage point? So that means everybody scorecard and expectations and
107accountability will be linked together. So when we talk about instructional leadership coaches, they'll have a set of schools. The regional superintendent will have a set of schools and all of them along with their schools will have scorecards. and we'll be working closely with our uh research evaluation and accountability department for each school to know this is your target. Now, as a district, we may have a district target, but each school will have their own individual target. So, if I'm at 40% proficiency, then that means you need to increase by 5%, not regress. Okay? So, your target next year will be 45%. So what regional superintendents and instructional leadership coaches will be doing will be helping schools to set their targets around proficiency. So collectively we can move the needle. One thing that we've never done
108in this district or it's been a long time is we've never set we tried to do it this year by setting a goal of a 5% increase or hitting 30%. We set a goal of 30% in grades three through five around ELA. the team will tell you we hit 29.1%. We have to start setting goals whether they're smart or ambitious for our schools to aspire to hit. And then that requires you to look at every single student and how to move those students toward proficiency in order to accomplish those goals. And once we get some of those um individual report cards in place, I'll bring them to the board so you all know what the goals I've set for myself and how those goals have funneled down through the organization. >> Board member Williams. Uh
109I it looks real good to me, but I'm concerned and I have one concern and that is these curriculums that will be taught in these classrooms will be across the district. I'm sure they are not doing what they want to do. We will have a department that will disseminate information that children will be held accountable for to learn to pass the test. I hear parents say we haven't seen this, haven't done this. And I'm sure I just do know that the lifeblood of this district is the curriculum. if it is taught to children at the appropriate time in an appropriate place, they will do well and they could cascade up and cascade back. But you said something about the White Haven empowerment and that's sort of what they do out there. I think I've I've
110learned that and that's one of the reasons White Haven High School has been so successful with numbers and that h that counts and it helps. But I think that it's a good we we've had this before as you say we've had regionals before and before with Harrington was here they would call us up. We had actual area superintendent offices. So, we've had a long a lot of this is old, but it's new again, and you are very familiar with it because you were a part of it. And I am thankful for the people who've chosen to come to Memphis to work and to do the to help us in this work. But, uh be be thankful and be be thoughtful of the citizens of Memphis and the students in this district and what they deserve
111and can do. Yes, sir. And if the curriculum is strong Yes, sir. >> they will do well. Well, well, I'mma share this with you, board member Williams. What we've done in listening to teachers and principles, uh we've done lesson plans and PowerPoint uh presentations for all of our teachers. So, one thing we've taken off the teachers uh plate, I want to give thanks to uh Miss Ker and Dr. Whitelaw and the entire academic team. I want to give them a round of applause. Uh Dr. Maple, [Applause] we've listened to teachers and we we've done lesson plans and PowerPoints. So, delivery, the delivery of instruction uh should be easier for our teachers, particularly our teachers that we know are inexperienced and who are possibly working on a permit. and and it's because teachers are in such,
112you know, broad areas and schools are so spread out. Sometimes they don't know what's going on in every school. There was a time when everybody had to be on the same page at the same time and covered all of the information and you knew it because you could see it. So, I'm just hopeful that they will the regions will come back together and make that happen in these regions whereby teachers will be the most vital part of this whole thing. If they buy into it and teach what is given, it will work. If they if they feel lost in this charade, then they won't work because they'll say, "We don't know what you're doing." But they have to have access. The the materials have to be there. The books have to be there. Whatever you
113go has to be done and it has to be cited in writing for you to see it for everyone else to see. But I thank you for this very uh healthy document and I hope that it is followed to the letter of the law. >> Yes sir. Thank you. And we also, board members, if you all recall, we have sent you a draft of the academic plan. >> Yes. Yes. Board member Huy Garcia. >> Thank you. I have a I'm going to start with a couple technical questions and then just a couple comments and reminders for my colleagues just to put out there. Uh my first technical question is are the new uh state requirements for the uh priority schools included in the eyes in the schools that we've identified as zone? >> I know
114there's a new tiering system for priority schools. Are we >> not at this time because a new list is supposed to come out this fall. Okay. the the list of schools we have currently are the schools that make up the old list and partly because they're still uh receiving school improvement grant uh and turnaround action grant dollars. >> Okay, I appreciate that. Um, I think the what was clear to me from this presentation is that the bet that you're making is that giving staff the highest and best use of their time and efficiency was was lacking and I appreciate there was a lot of difference drawing in and in the models and that came out to me and honestly heard from staff. Um I think the the academic outcomes the plan on paper sounds great
115to me. I think getting tying these to academic outcomes that we hope what is the continuous improvement and shared learning across these regions. I liked board member Porter's um comment or questions about accountability in those regional report cards. I would encourage us to review those as a board and thinking about our main role in the budget is given what we're accomplishing in regions. What do we need to shift investments to? We have the ability to make a budget amendment. If you need that new position, we trust you to make that decision. Show us the outcomes and show us where we are making progress or not making progress. So, I think I want to know how do these tie to your strategic plan goals that you've set personally um in your own performance. And then the
116last like comment would be I appreciate the academic audit being included in the council great city schools and experts coming in and evaluating what we really need because what we want to be is the best urban school district in the country um and looking at what other districts are doing is um is key to that. So, um, thank you so much and I think the public, um, will probably have more questions and we will continue to see this. Uh, but I'm excited to see the vote. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you, >> Bo Murphy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, Dr. Richmond, I appreciate this academic plan. It is tedious. It is well planned, and I appreciate that. And what I really like about this is that the the aligned curriculum that our children now will
117have the opportunity if they have to leave one school, they'll go to the next school and they'll fall right in instead of them being either behind or ahead of each other. And so that plan works excellent even when it comes to our TCAP test. Everybody is on the same level. And so I am excited about this plan. I'm excited about the academic team. This is really good. And thank you so much. I appreciate you. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Oh, one more thing. I'm sorry. Point of order. Sorry. One more thing. When it comes to neighborhoods, me and Michelle and I are working on some things right now that we're trying to move forward and so it actually lines up with your uh academic plan and what we're trying to do in the neighborhoods.
118>> Yes, ma'am. >> Board member McKisik. >> Dr. Richmond, thank you for this very robust report. I'd like to kind of address the elephant in the room though because you know we've been through a very tumultuous period over the last several months and um but I am impressed what you've presented today and I know I want to say first of all thank you to all the amazing staff and all that's gone into that. I'm so thankful for you and especially our educators as we are on the cusp of a new school year. But what are you going to do to relay this to the community, the parents? They've been through a lot and they've spoken about distrust to help them understand what this really is and how this is going to be beneficial for them
119that we're truly now refocused back on students and families and making things better for our community because, you know, you were talking about communications, how you're going to really focus on that. I think that's a really big part because as you know my colleague mentioned that this is a lot even for us to take in is very robust and but it is impressive and um how do you plan on connecting that with the community and restoring that trust through this plan that you've laid out? >> Yes ma'am thank you for that. Uh anytime you're doing and I've explained to our uh team this is what you would call somewhat change management. Uh and so we'll have a communications plan to start to roll it out. Uh where again regional superintendent, the instructional leadership coaches, they'll
120then uh uh contact uh contact principles uh the communications team. As a matter of fact, in my parent newsletter most recently, we've already communicated to parents uh that we're moving toward regionalization, but there will be a broader communications plan. I just wanted to bring it to you all first so you' be able first to see the or chart. I'd be able to kind of explain more in detail what regionalization was and how it differed from the networks on last year. Uh but there will be a roll out of this plan so that again people in the community can better understand it. I guess most looking just one last thing just if you could just you know there's the camera just kind of speak to the heart honestly it just and you know we get all
121these technical terms and jargon whatever but just like from you are very much immersed in this community you've been a part of this district a long time and just to share like what does this mean in real plain language >> to speak and to connect with families about trust and how this is a part of rebuilding trust. >> Yes ma'am. Well, part of rebuilding trust is to again push our resources and support into the communities where communities are not having to come uh to Hollywood or Glenn Rogers Boulevard to solve issues or problems. They can solve the issues or problems or share their voice in their communities. And regionalization will allow that by us having those regional offices where parents can come to the regional office or teachers can come to the regional office. They
122don't have to travel to the TLA. When you have an opportunity to go to the Ridgeway uh annex, which is now that regional office, you'll see where we'll be able to deliver professional development right there on site. So teachers can come there, parents can come there. Even when I was thinking about our food pantries, as we start to look at doing our food pantries, we can do food pantries from our regional offices. So the regional office becomes the hub for everything within their community. So again, it's not a centralized approach. It's a decentralized approach where we're better supporting families and parents right there in their communities. >> Thank you for sharing that in plain language. I appreciate it. >> Yes, ma'am. Board member Love, >> I have two questions and two comments. Um, I know
123you stated that the curriculum is going to be universal. >> Um, all kids don't learn the same >> and they don't learn um at first. >> Um, several kids do. they can catch on >> right at the drop of the hat. >> But several kids need to uh instruct day after day. >> Uh how are you going to address that? >> Yes, thanks thanks for that question. And again uh when you all look at our pathway to greatness is broken up into preK through two and then grades 3 through 5, grades 6 through 8, 9 through 12 and the like. When you look at the academic plan, the academic plan is also broken up like that. So when we're talking about the curriculum, whenever you're delivering the curriculum, you know that some students are going
124to grasp the standard and some students are not. So teachers have to be prepared to do what's called a both and for those teachers for those students who grasp it, you let them move on. For those students who don't, that's why we have interventions and we have the multi-tiered system of support. The next thing will be how are we using those interventions at tier 2 and tier three to help get those students caught up uh whether it's uh caught up on grade level or reteing those standards that they may not be uh understanding first time around. >> And Michelle hit on my next question. In my district, there is a Frraasier neighborhood council >> that meets um Frasier Exchange Club that meets every week at Ed Rice Community Center at 12:00 Thursdays. Um there is
125a uh Raleigh community meeting that meets every Tuesday at 11:45 that is spearheaded by Charlie Caswell. The uh North Haven community meets every month at six o'clock. I don't know the date the date. Uh Woodstock community meets every Mon uh every month at uh um I don't know the date. Uh the North Shelby County meets every month at Olympic Steakhouse at 5:30. I'll be there. >> Um, >> that's why I'm left here tonight. >> Yeah. >> So, so to answer your question, I I totally That's why again my team and I I'll use Miss Rogers for example, we do all types of huddles where we bring uh all organizations together uh who may have a common goal. And so when I think about all of that going on in what you would call the northwest
126corridor region, uh that's where uh Dr. Brittnam and his team uh will be supporting those schools and those organizations uh providing outreach and partnership to see if we can get all of those individuals at the table so again they can do the type of work that needs to be done to change that entire community. We've got to look for ways for all of us to get on the same page to better our communities and that means alignment of our goals. And the final question is your uh cabinet is going to instruct the principles and the students. They have to know the policies and what you expect. Yes. >> They are going to be in charge of the schools. you're holding them accountable. Uh teachers and principles are going to have to listen to them and
127they are going to have to know policies and protocol and state law. >> Yes, ma'am. We we had this discussion on uh yesterday at approximately uh 4:30 in the evening. [Laughter] Board member McKenna. Thank you. Um, last go around. Um, I appreciate all of my colleagues. Um, McKisik and Love talking about um, community and how we begin to um, build trust through um, interaction and conversation. I think it's a a it is a joint effort. This is a governance team where it's the board and the superintendent. So I would love to we had the communications plan and that included uh including us as ambassadors. We talked about in the community um engagement meeting we talked about community listening sessions. So I think that works both ways. So I think we as a board collectively have
128to do this work in one we got to understand it and then two we have to be the ambassadors and we need to do this in a very coordinated way and make sure that we're doing this together and then when you know I think what she's saying is they meet and so sometimes we can go meet be with go meet with them but also I like that convening them so they can all hear the same they hear the same thing because sometimes they have the same issues they're just not talking to each and so coming together collectively and coming up with um solutions. So I want to make sure that I'm our board understands that this is not just the superintendent's um responsibility. It's all ours. We got to do it and then so I
129appreciate that. >> We understand. Thank you. >> Board member Hugh Garcia. >> Thank you. We've talked about this in a one-on-one check-in and just want to say this into the public. I think this regional approach is an opportunity for strengthened partnerships and we have so many people who want to come help Memphis Shelby County Schools and I think that is that is often a neighborhood place-based pride or um tied to business or or the future of particular neighborhoods, right? So, I think we haven't figured that out. You and I have talked about that, but I do think that is an opportunity. So using figuring out what that point of entry is, we I trust you to come up with the plan, but just wanted to say partnerships that are based on this regional model, I
130think are are something we need to figure out uh to get all of the resources that you're talking about to the students that need them in our communities. So, thank you. >> I totally agree. Thank you. >> Thank you for this plan. We We're ready to work. >> Yes, ma'am. >> Roll up our sleeves and get to work. >> Yes, ma'am. >> It's not a one person's plan. Yes, ma'am. >> So, thank you. >> Yes, ma'am. Um, next, I want Miss Gordon to come uh quickly and to present. I also want to let um the board know I didn't introduce principles tonight. I will bring principles in August, new principal announcements, uh, but they have gear up tonight. Uh, and so I didn't want to pull them out of their schools. So, at this time,
131Miss Gordon, would you jog through >> Yes, sir. Good evening, Dr. Richmond. Thank you very much and board chair along with the commissioners. I wanted to give the listening public and the board a just highle um overview of where we are after uh the loss of Head Start. As many of you know, Head Start is a highly regulated federally funded program and that we have strict guidelines and performance standards that we must follow on a day-to-day basis. That program allows us to be able to serve the whole child from a comprehensive approach to looking at the health education and also our family engagement support. I also want to note that every allegation and every incident that we've had, we have operated transparently with the board, the superintendent, senior leadership along with our policy council. And
132I want the team to know that we have worked very hard to make sure that we have done right by this head start grant. So if you go to the first slide, next slide. So just for a little history overview, in 2003, Shelby County government decided to dissolve its partnership with Shelby County, Inc. moving that 16 um center operations to Shelby County government, serving a little over 2,000 kids. In 2005, they reached out and they recruited and hired a new Head Start director. and that heads our director came in and established a partnership with the district establishing anou giving the district $1.5 million in contracted services and then the partnership of the Ridgeway Early Learning Center was uh created. Ridgeway Early Learning Center became the district's first uh preschool operated school building and that principal
133that was hired to operate that program was me. So if you go to the next slide, in 2007, the Shelby County government decided to look at expanding its um collaboration with Porter Leath. Of course, that proposal with was denied based upon some cultural sensitivity issues. And then in 2013, mayor, the county mayor decided not to reapply for the grant and they urged Portally to bid out and local leaders pushed for the Sim County School District to apply for the grant instead. In 2014, the district applies for the grant and receives this grant and we became the grantee with in a partnership in with Porter Leaf immediately. Next slide. So in 2014 and after the county mayor carefully reviewed its current status with Head Start, it realized that they were not operating at full capacity and
134the grant was written to serve 3,200 children and they were only serving a little over 2,000. They also were concerned about some of the compliance operation issues that they had. They were really looking at how they were operating this particular grant, looking at transportation concerns that were identified, staffing, and then teacher credentiing issues. So then we decided to transition to make sure that we were able to still service the students in Shelby County and that's when the district went into a collaboration with Portal to expand their operation services across the district. In 2021, the district decided to end the partnership collaboration with Port Leaf and the district became the full operating grantee for those program services. I also would like to add no organization that has that has operated and governed over this preschool grant
135has operated without allegations and deficiencies and infractions. Next slide. So this is our current funding structure for the department. Um the regional office gave us transition funds. So we have a little over $4.9 million to close out Head Start. We're currently working with the regional office and Porterly to transition this program seamlessly so that operations can continue on. Under our VPK grant, we have a little over 8.8 million. We also still have our local grant with First Aid. This is based upon our 2425 because we have not received our updated contracts with them and I will be will bringing those to you very soon. Uh fund one we have $6.3 million which gives us a total of $29,177,855.80 to operate the existing programs that we have within our department. Next slide. So right now this
136just gives you a picture of how we will be serving our children and the total number of children for each funding source. BPK will be 1880. We will go into a new sped inclusive collaboration with exceptional children office really looking at our preschool opportunities to allow our students with disabilities to be placed in our typical classrooms. And so we're looking at serving an additional 260 students. In farm one, we will serve 460 and with first aid 10,000, which gives our service portfolio of 3,600 students, which gives us a program department reduction of,500. As you know, the Head Start grant was for 3,200 children. We did operate Head Start and VPK as a blended fund process, which shows how we have been able to do that. And now we will operate VPK independently, which leaves us
137a difference of 1,500 seats. Next slide. So the impact uh under the application when the grantees when the potential grantees apply for the grant they have all of the opportunity to apply for the facilities portfolio. Port Leaf has asked for all of the centers which is Covet and Pike um Delano Douglas and Hanley along with Ridgeway Early Learning Center. We will work with our facilities officer to transfer those deeds to Port Leaf for them to operate as a head start center. We will still have Shader Grove early learning center because that was one of our schools that we repurposed to be a early learning center and we will operate BPK and Fund One inside of that center. Shady Grove will not be impacted. Next slide. So the impact on the central office staff. I want
138to applaud my team, the HR team. We have really worked very hard to ensure that every teacher, every child care educator was eligible for a permit and the teacher assistance have all been placed in the district in their classrooms. So that staff will not be impacted. The impacted staff will be the 142 central office staff which includes leadership and management 32 positions, finance five position, the family and school support which is our largest group which is the 89 family engagement specialist one IT tech clerical three positions and facilities team 12. We had a informational meeting with the Head Start impacted staff today and I worked very diligently with the senior leadership team and Dr. Richmond on yesterday to really come up with five opportunities to be able to hold on to these 142 individuals. And
139so if you will fast forward to the next slide, I will show you how we'll be able to provide those individuals with opportunities. So all of the staff that is eligible to receive a permit, we will be working with the lensure office within our within human resources to get those individuals because we do have some family engagement specialists, behavior specialists, and individuals in our office that have worked in schools and maybe have a desire to be a teacher. Many of them indicated that on the sheet that they signed in today that they were interested in becoming a teacher and we will work with those individuals to get permits. The specialized educational assistant opportunities that we have within the district, there is a plethora of those positions and it is really comparable that current salary is
140comparable to what we're currently paying our family engagement specialists. So we will offer those individuals opportunities to be you know a SCA. Also, there will be opportunities within the Memphis Shelby County Schools various departments across the district, IT, communications, CNC. So, there are several opportunities, custodial operations where individuals who desire to work in those opportunities to qualify could be transitioned to those buildings. And then also just reimagining what the early childhood office is going to look like. there's going to be some central office changes and so there will be opportunities within that in within our department for them to apply and then after we level set and we have vetted and we have interviewed and we placed individuals with the opportunities if there are some individuals that are still left that are not placed for
141the leaf will be having their job fair this Friday and we are making sure that that staff get that information to attend the job fair. Next slide. Next steps, we will engage with legal, budget, and finance to make sure that this transition is seamless, changing over um and transitioning everything to the new grantee. We have 120 days to close out our program. We'll be working lock step with the office of head start and the port leadership team to ensure that this is done expeditiously so they can begin school operations, center operations as well. We'll be working with our facilities team to do some to do some disposal of one of our centers which is Georgian Hills because it sits on the grounds of Georgia Hill Middle School and we have not operated or used that
142facility in about 7 years. Uh ensure the compliance. We will transfer all furniture, materials, supplies, technology, everything that is outlined in the on the grant that the new grantee is requesting. We will make sure that we transition all those materials so they're able especially those things that are paid with federal funds. Next slide. We will conduct a walkthrough with the team to just make sure that the buildings are ready to assess what what all we would need to remove especially when we're looking at our district's um security equipment a systems that will only be used for our districts. And then our close out, just making sure that we are working with the senior leadership team and the superintendent to make sure that we close out and that we meet all the contractual obligations under the
143federal head start uh uh regional office. There's a checklist that we must follow and so we must give them weekly updates and then we're going to build back better as we know the COVID impact the early childhood department where we lost certified staff. So we will be trying to build our staff. No, we are going to build our staff, our program to ensure that we're able to petition to the state to receive our 18 classes back, which will give us 360 students. And then also begin to establish what that birth to two collaboration would be with our local hospitals, childcare agencies, and local organizations because we really want to make sure that from birth to two, we want to make sure that they will begin to work with those collaborations to make sure that those
144students are preschool ready when we receive them in our programs. So now I will pause for questions. Vice Chair Love Um, how will you communicate this to the parents? >> So, we have sent out several communications via email. We are working with the communication chief and the team. We've sent out uh social media videos. I have a person that is managing our email account. I'm receiving emails now. We're responding to parents. We're taking the phone calls. We're working with parents individually, but parents should have received communication directly in their email from us. If they filled out an application, communication was sent out to them. So, they should check their email address. >> Thank you for that. >> Okay. >> I have another question. the centers that are going to Porter Leaf. How will you uh
145decide the parents that uh Coington Pike Head Start? I know a family that applied for Coington Pike Head Start. Will they still get the opportunity to go to Coington Pike Head Start? >> So, I'll say this. What the team has done right now, if they are a fouryear-old, we have been able to place those students in adjacent schools. If they are a three-year-old, because the current funding structure that we have give priority to four year olds, we will be working lock step with Porter Leaf to ensure that those families are served either in Memphis Shelby County Schools or in the Port Leaf portfolio of of program service areas. So, we will be working with them to make sure we will give them the weight list for all of our programs. Making sure first the parents
146have to agree to allow us to disclose that information and give that change over to them. But the parents will also have the opportunities to work with them directly. >> That is all. >> Well, member McKisik. Thank you, chair. I just want to take a moment to say thank you, Miss Gordon, for all of your hard work and for your team. I know that I've been there with you in years past doing walkthroughs of prek centers and during the whole certification process. And I I know the integrity you bring to all of this. And um I'm impressed with what you have done, you and your team, to make sure to accommodate as many people as possible. those are lives uh who um you know were potentially going to lose their their jobs. So I know
147this is a very difficult time but um it's all for the betterment of our children and that's how I'm looking at it and that we're all going to work together. So I love the plan that you've laid out. So I just want to take a moment to say thank you. >> I appreciate that. Thank you. Board member McKenna, Board Member Murphy. >> Thank you. Um, thank you, Miss Gordon, for this excellent work that you've done in making sure that we have a smooth transition. And so, um, you should give yourself kudos, you and your team, for getting this done. >> Thank you for that. [Applause] I do have a um question about the transfer of deed to port leaf of the actual facilities. So I'm always optimistic. So I'm thinking and Dr. Richmond and I
148don't know you know in the next iteration of this if we were to apply and get it um what happens to are there right to reversion? I I don't know if this is tied to the grant. I just want to be clear about the facilities. >> So the facilities are connected to the grant. The grantee will apply. So when you post the application, you put the portfolio of what comes with the program. We included all the facilities which will be all the centers. Everything that we have purchased with the federal dollars which include the vehicles, computers, technology, printers, all of those things were listed. the furniture, even the furniture in the classroom, everything that we have purchased with the federal funds which they have included in their application goes to the new grantee. >> Okay.
149Thank you for clarifying that for >> and we will work of course with the facilities team to make sure that we do our due diligence to make sure that the paperwork and everything is done correctly. >> Thank you. Thank you uh board member McKenna for that question and that's one of the reasons that I wanted Miss Gordon to come and to share uh the presentation because I think there was some misinformation floating around. Uh one of the things being that every five years this particular grant is competitively bidded out every five years. So we wanted people to know that. We also wanted people to know that each and every person who has uh overseen this grant uh has had some problems. Uh and I say that not in a cavalier way but just saying when
150people are coming out and evaluating what's happening in prek, They're trained to find something. And when you talk about the number of classes and centers that we have, everyone has had some corrective actions that they have had uh to improve. And so uh I wanted the board and the general public to know that. >> Board member Murphy, board member here Garcia. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Dr. Gordon, thank you so much. Thank you for a great presentation and I love the fact that you adjusted quickly and you made it work not just for uh the team but you made it work for the children and that everybody will be in their proper places when schools start back. So thank you so much and I appreciate that. >> I appreciate you. Thank you. >> Thank you.
151I have a clarification on the funded enrollment for 2025 to 26. the we note an enrollment reduction of 1500 seats um but I thought the grant was for a greater number than that and that so we increased the different types of funding in other areas too. No ma'am we did not remember Head Start and VPK worked in tandem together to maximize the VPK classroom funding. So we operated our VPK classrooms in a with the Head Start grant. PPK pay for the teacher, the Head Start pays for the teacher assistant and the comprehensive services that we provided for those children because the state does not give us dollars for comprehensive services to maximize our portfolio to make sure that all classes receive the same services. We worked and put blended the funds to maximize. So which
152is why you do not see a 3,200 30 not 3200 but a 3200 student reduction. We decreased it only by 1500. Okay, that that's really helpful. So, uh I have one more specific question about teachers and this may be a then I may have a question for our finance team. >> You said we retained all of our teachers. How many teachers to be retained? What does this mean? >> We will now have a portfolio of 175 classrooms. >> Okay. So, every we we don't have any we have no vacancies in our prek. We have plenty of opportunities within our prek portfolio where we're able to move people around >> and to secure everyone. So we the the greatest thing about is that we were even able to give teachers who were childcare educators an opportunity
153to get a permit for them to start to begin the work to be a licensed classroom teacher. >> Yeah. I think the pathways that you've laid out are are really clear and as much as we can retain talent to the district, we should. So, I I think that's really helpful. Um, my last maybe sort of joint questions are about the budget. Do we have are we having to cover any of the costs for our continued programming from the general budget or all of looking at me? Chief Langston, I'm sorry. Uh, do we have to transition anything from the general budget to cover uh this new structure? Whoever would like to answer that, >> I I'll let Mr. the likes that he seems anxious to want answering for us. >> He's trying not to talk the
154whole meeting. You got to 8. It's 8:01. Come on. >> Thank you, Dr. Richmond. Thank you, uh, board member Garcia for the question. Um, as M. Gordon alluded to, one of the things that we've been doing is blending funding. Um, I will be transparent to say that our VPK classes, the VPK grant has been covering teachers as she alluded to and Head Start previously with the $29 million has been covering for ED assistance. So now with our general fund, there's about $147 ed assistance that we'll still need to keep to keep our VPK funding and it's going to be about $3.3 million that we'll cover in our general fund to keep this number of seats and to keep the teacher to puper I mean teacher to ed assistant ratio in our VP VPK classrooms. >>
155That's really helpful. I think the some of the conversations are we going to make up $30 million but it sounds like we were able to only reduce by 1500 seats for 3.3 million to to keep the same. Okay. I think that's extremely helpful and a wise investment. So thank you. >> Vice Chair Love, >> I have a a quick question. Um, I was recently talking to a grandparent that has custody of her grandchildren and she doesn't qualify for Head Start. What is happening with the universal prek initiative? >> So, it's still in operations. The district did not get an increase in our seats. So we did not receive we only have the thousand seats that we already had under our first aid grant. So we didn't get an additional allocation but I will be happy
156to work with that particular grandmother to place her in our fun one classrooms if there is space available in the area that she is requesting. >> Yeah. Thank you. >> You're welcome. >> Just want to say thank you Director Gordon. We know what you've done and your team and it means so much. I think you should be applauded tonight for the hard work that you've done. Thank you. Now, to my board, policy 0000 says we have to be done before 1000 p.m. >> So, we got work to do. >> Yeah. >> All right. >> Okay. >> All right. >> We're going to get moving. >> This concludes >> Okay. I'm sorry. >> This concludes my report. I did leave out one other um person uh Mr. Hannah. I want to introduce Mr. Hannah, our new
157chief of staff [Applause] >> and he's afraid of dogs. [Laughter] We're now on to new board business. 10.1 proposed policies first reading. Okay. Thank you. Um, Superintendent Richmond, board members, we have 10 policies that we're bringing before you tonight. Nine are for first reading. The last policy 6024 is first reading, but we will be asking you to suspend the rules. So, we've already gone all over all of these policies in the committee meeting as well as the board work session. So, I'll just read the numbers out. The first one is 000000 school board meetings. 00002 board members qualifications and election 0004 board officers and duties. 00005 method of method and election of board office. Um 0012 board policy development adoption dissemination and review. 0016 orientation for school board candidate. 0017 board conference travel 0025 constituent
158services 5024 um student suicide prevention that particular um policy is required by law and 6024 cell phone personal communication devices that is required by law as well. Again, the first nine are for first reading and the last policy we are asking you to suspend the rules and approve the policy tonight. >> Board member McKenna. >> Thanks. I'm going to ask the board to um bear with me since this is first reading. I'd like to take 000000 schoolboard meetings back to committee on um there's a question around the disalignment between the timing that we post the um the board agendas and the timing that the board receives the board agenda. So I just want to discuss that. So to in the interest of time I just want to let you all know yeah let you all
159know that I'd like to send that one back to committee. It's it still is in first reading. just want to bring up the issue that um I want to I think um one of the public speakers brought to our attention and so um that's all I'm going to I wanted to request that we just discussed that during board committees. >> Okay. >> And then I'll make the motion to suspend the rules to accept >> Hold on. Hold on. >> Member Murphy. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Thank you. Uh Madam Chair, um um Commissioner McKenna, what we were what were we doing here with this particular policy is that we were going to uh suspend the rules and approve it so that it can be in place when school starts on Monday and then we can
160take it back to committee after which discuss it. >> No cell phone. >> That's a cell phone. >> That's cell phone. >> Yeah. >> No, cell phone. >> Yeah. I'm talking about school board meeting. >> Was that cell phone? That's cell phone. >> Oh, okay. Well, I'm be quiet. Go ahead and spin the wheel. All right. If you anymore, I'll make a motion to suspend the rules to um allow us to adopt policy 6024, cell phone personal communication devices in first reading. >> Second, >> I'm sorry. I move that we suspend the rules to adopt policy 624, cell phones, personal communication devices for in first reading. Second. >> Roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >>
161I. >> Board member Love. >> Oh, she's not there. Board member McKini. >> Hi. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. I >> board chair Coleman. >> I >> You have eight in the affirmative. >> Thank you. >> That motion is adopted. >> So the rule the other ones are >> point of clarification. Did we do it all? We just suspended the rules. Now we have to adopt it. Is that correct? >> That's correct. I think you did just vote to suspend the rules. Now you do need to go back and adopt the policy first. Now the the >> I move that we adopt policy 624 cell phone personnel communication devices. >> Second. >> Roll call vote please. >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board
162member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >> I. >> Board member McKini. >> I. Board member Otay >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> Board chair coin. >> I. >> You have eight in the affirmative. >> Thank you. >> The remaining policies will come back um next month for second reading. >> Thank you. >> Okay. That's what I was talking about. >> We're now on to the consent agenda. Are there any items to be removed from the consent agenda? We had 11 34 to be removed. >> 11.1 Approval 2025 2026 school year agreement to administer school nutrition program. 11.2 purchase approval 806 Technologies Incorporated $125,000. 11.3 purchase approval ALC Elementary School laptops and computer carts $212,362 11.4 approval Frontline Technologies Group LLC $184,6238 11.5 Approval Curriculum Associates 2,847,860 11.6 6 approval YMCA $215,040 11.7
163approval Herbert's STEM center classroom naming rights 11.8 8 approval Kev Group Incorporated $128,553.90 11.9 approval lease of former Northwest Prep to Memphis Academy of Science and Engineers and Engineering Mace $295,247 11.10 Approval Power of Words Therapy Services LLC 129,000 11.8 2011 approval raptor visitor management system 18 138,000 $845 11.12 excuse me approval RCM health healthc care services $258,475 11.13 approval Covington Flooring Company Incorporated Ridgeway High School 272,48 $80 11.14 approval sale former Denver Elementary to Capstone Education Group Incorporated $1,600,000 11.15 approval sale of former Graves Elementary Land to J&J Investment Properties $190,000 11.16 approval sale westside middle school to Frasier Community Schools 555,00 11.17 approval schoolbased probation leaison programou $25,000 11.18 donation acceptance yuan kesler for the shrine school 85,000 $85,000 11.19 approval Tennessee department of mental health and substance abuse services Tennessee Prevention Network
164renewal grant Contract 2025 through 2026 school year $100,000 11.20 approval Tennessee governmental grant contract $22,339.35 11.21 approval state and local cyber security grant $816,000 11.22 22 approval Vantage Learning LLC $466,695 11.23 Approval Youth Court 11.24 Approval Sheffield Elementary School playground installation 20 thou no 200,74656 11.25 25 approval first amendment to Lester school sales agreement no dollar amount 11.26 adoption charter authorization amended around Kirby Middle School 11.27 27 adoption charter authorization amended round dreamcatchers charter schools and this is to deny that school to deny the dream catchers to deny Kirby Middle School 11.28 28 adoption charter authorization amended round Hillrest High School to deny 11.29 29 adoption charter authorization amended round steel I rise academy denial 1130 adoption charter authorization amended round kip cordova collegiate school approved 11.31 approval iny energy proudness LLC riverview rises US
165department of energy grant project 10,000 10,93,995 11.32 approval dual enrollmentou between MSCS college partners Christian Brothers University Southwest Tennessee Community College and Tennessee State University no dollar amount 11.33 Three, approval of local dual and dual creditou between MSCS and college partners Christian Brothers University and Southwest Tennessee Community College. No dollar amount. 11.34 has been removed. 11.35 Approval of the consent agenda. May I have a motion and a second to approve? >> I move to approve the consent agenda. >> Motion by board member Murphy. >> Second the a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Second by Vice Chair Love. Roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisik. >> I. >> Board member Garcia. >> I. >> Board member Porter. >> I. >> Board member Murphy. >> Hi. Board member Love. >> Hi. >> Board member
166McKini. >> Yes. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> Hi. >> Board chair Coleman. >> I. >> You have nine in the affirmative. >> Thank you. That motion passes. >> We're now on to strategic allocations. 13.1. and approve a resolution approving MSCS board member strategic school fund allocations for July 2025 $142,515. May I have a motion and second? >> I move to approve the >> motion by board member Murphy, second by board member Williams. Roll call vote, please. >> Board member McKisik. I >> board member Garcia. >> I >> board member Porter. >> I >> board member Murphy. >> I >> board member Love. >> I >> board member McKini. >> Abstain. >> I. >> Board member Otay. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> I. >> Board Chair Coleman. >>
167I. >> You have eight in the affirmative and one abstain. >> That motion passes. Now we're >> request for action. I turn it over to board member Hugh Garcia. >> Thank you, Chair Coleman. Um, colleagues, I uh introduced this at the beginning of the evening, but we have an opportunity for an investment from uh a corporate partner XAI. um they have shared a letter with us uh that outlines what they would like to do um in partnership for four of our schools. Um that is on board docs now for the listening public as well. That letter is on there and uh the resolution that I'm going to ask us to take action on. Um and I want to start by reading the letter. If you are verbally processing me right now, uh most of the
168investments that I will list out for each of these schools are very similar or the same. So, you will hear the same things, but I want I think it when I I read uh what they were going to invest in just kind of setting this up, uh we have four schools who have a combined 10-year deferred maintenance of almost $42 million. Um, and the opportunity that we have to uh really honestly get a jump start on the vision of investing in in neighborhoods and and regions of Memphis, identifying partners who can invest. Um when we have talked for years across maybe seven, eight, 10 superintendents about the need to uh really rethink about our footprint and uh not only maximizing our buildings but the academic program and culture within it and I think this hits
169on all of that. Um so I'm very excited to share what um what we're the opportunity that we have in front of us. So, I'm going to start with the letter and then I will read the resolution and we can have a discussion on any questions that we have. Um, this letter is from XAI at 3231 Riverport Road, Memphis, Tennessee, July 15th, 2025. Dr. Rodrik Richmond, Superintendent, Memphis, Shelby County Schools, 160 Hollywood Street, Memphis 38112. The subject inind contributions for selected MSDS schools in Southwest Memphis. Dear Dr. Richmond, thank you for your leadership and all you do to forge a brighter future for the greater Memphis community. I am writing to officially memorialize the commitment XAI is making with inkind contributions at JP Freeman optional, Fairley High, and Westwood high schools. The information listed below
170contains an overview of the schools and the projects XAI is interested in undertaking. School one, John P. Freeman Optional School, 52502 Lane Road, Memphis, Tennessee 38109. Principal Dr. Key Coleman. Uh the first bullet point project management design subject to MSCS administration approval construction subject to approval of contractor installation replacement and/or repair of the following general school improvements. Painting of hallways, common areas and classrooms, windows, lighting upgrades or modernizations, plumbing, restroom modernizations, HVAC and AC units, landscaping and be beautifification upgrades and modifications. Outdoor athletic/outdoor improvements, turf, natural grass, football, baseball, soccer, open play fields with associated bleachers, athletic track, scoreboard, fencing, barriers, landscaping and beautifification upgrades and modifications, indoor athletic, indoor basketball court with associated bleachers, weight room and exercise area, lighting upgrades, modernization, schoolboard, specialized areas such as library, Library, cafeteria, auditorium, etc. Chemistry and
171technology labs with associated materials and resources. Modular walls for individual study or collaborative work. Furniture, wayfairing, signage, audiovisisual equipment, lighting upgrades and modernizations, climate control systems, and supportive technology. Fairly high school 4950 Fairley Road, Memphis 38109. Um, similar project management. It is a repeat of under the general school and outdoor athletic and indoor athletic previously mentioned um and also specialized areas. >> Make sure that >> okay we also want to include Mitchell High School um in my making sure that we are highlighting all of the correct schools. So, um, Mitchell High School, 658 West Mitchell Road, uh, Memphis, Tennessee, 38109. The principal, Mr. Kelvin Meeks. Again, the same general school investments, outdoor athletic, indoor athletic, and specialized areas. Westwood High School, 4480, Westmont, Memphis, Tennessee 38109. Principal Dr. Trenton Watson. again project management, design, construction,
172installation, replacement, and repair with the same general school, outdoor athletic, indoor athletic, and specialized areas. And then the final uh statement, as an extension of the outlined scope of work, XAI would further commit to assume all financial responsibility associated with these actions and items with an understanding that no funds would change hands between the company and the school district. Based on the district's policy with inind donations over a certain amount, it is our understanding that our commitment would need to be officially presented to and approved by the MSCS board of education. We stand ready to receive further insights and instructions from you and your team on how to advance, keeping in mind our interest in executing on as much as we can during the summer months. Thank you for your partnership and the collaborative spirit
173of your team and in this endeavor. It is appreciated. Sincerely, Brent Mayo XAI. Uh >> someone lose. >> Yeah. Uh I will now read the resolution. um which I am going to ask for uh support around but then we'll we'll have a discussion after I I read the resolution. So resolution titled resolution approving in kind donation and authorizing superintendent to enter into memorandum of understanding whereas Xiai Corp or XAI has offered inind donation in the form of improvements to certain district properties in Southwest Memphis including John P. Freeman optional school, Fairley High School, Mitchell High School and Westwood High School. Whereas XAI has agreed that all such improvements will be performed by district approved service providers at XAI's sole expense. Whereas XAI has agreed to arrange for at no expense to the district certain school
174improvements as described in the letter dated July 15, 2025, which is attached here to and incorporated herein by reference. Whereas the value of the donated improvements will exceed $15,000. Whereas the board desires to accept XAI's donation as outlined in its July 15, 2025 letter only for the benefit of students and families. Be it therefore resolved that the interim superintendent and/or district staffed as the interim superintendent shall direct is hereby authorized to enter into a memorandum of understanding orou with XAI whichou shall set forth appropriate terms to govern the school improvement projects described herein only. Be it further resolved that the board has approved XAI's inind donation as described herein only pursuant to policy 2019 and no further board action shall be required for the district to enter anou with XAI for the purposes set forth
175in this resolution dated July 29th 2025. Uh Amber Huitt Garcia MSES board member District 8. And I will open it up to board member discussions. Bo member McKenna, >> it's on. >> Yes, >> thank you. Um, thank you for this. So, I want to say um I thank you for the offer and I want to make sure that everyone knows that I um I appreciate this um very much so. But I do have some questions. And is there anyone here from >> So we have a we have a principal. We have principal um from our Westwood principal. We have Bobby White from the Greater Memphis chain. >> Yeah. I don't I don't need I need the donate donor, not the principles. I understand. Yeah. >> I think Bobby Hugh is here representing them. >> Okay.
176So >> and CEO Ted Townsen as well. >> Okay. So I have a couple of questions. >> Mr. White, can you come to the mic, please? Or someone from XAI. >> I have a couple of questions. Um, thank you for the offer. Um, and I want to also, um, after reading the article in the newspaper on on Friday about the intent and after hearing um, board member Huitt Garcia say a couple of things that were key for me is partnership and investment. And so when I think about partnership, I think about a relationship. And when I look at this, considering what's all surrounding XAI and we are community members, we have buildings because and we have to be concerned about what's happening in that community because we have students and faculty that go to that
177school every day. I want to know um cuz it's again it's feeling very this is feeling very transactional. So is there an intent that we are going to um be in partnership cuz what I saw I saw boys and girls club we had nine things closed they gave to two to two programs $350,000 that's this year what happens next year. So, if they're going to be truly a community partner and a neighbor and invest in our community, my question becomes, is this just a one-hit wonder or are we going to be thinking about how we build a relationship? For instance, um we can't we can't the big ugly bear in the room or pink elephant in the room is that the community there are some people in the community that have some real issues. They're
178here and I know that I'm one of those pe I I absolutely they're here. So, how do we create a partnership to the benefit of our community? So, I give an example. There can be monitoring stations, air quality monitoring stations that actually put on on our on our um campuses to ensure that there's quality air quality, you know, because they're going to be here long term. They're not right. They're going to be neighbors, right? So, I guess my question becomes the $350,000 to the Boys and Girls Club, that was sweet. That was special. Um, this is sweet and special. But what does the long-term relationship look like in terms of a partnership? And are they immunable to sitting down and talking to us about that? >> Yes. Um, chief government affairs offic >> turn your
179mic on, please. >> Tess. All right. Bobby White, chief government affairs officer with the Greater Memphis Chamber. Um, happy to be here with you all to board members, uh, superintendent. I do want to just, uh, state, uh, for the record, we have a number of individuals here, uh, including, um, the principles of three of the four mentioned schools who are here. Dr. Hunter, Dr. Watson, Dr. Coleman. We also have Pastor Melvin Watkins from um Mount Vernon the Baptist Church there in the Westwood community. In addition to a number of members of our team, including our president, Ted Towns and Julian Cross, Courtney Blanchard, Quinton Robinson. Uh so I do want to just kind of speak to what you've mentioned uh from the standpoint. One of the things about the intentionality about what you're reading, it
180has to do with the fact that when the company was first located here, they first came here, uh, Electrolux, uh, old building, uh, Electrolux, which is located in an industrial park, Pigeon Industrial, um, complex. Uh, that building, their neighbors there are a steel company, uh, like Newor Steel. Neighbors include Valero or Refinery. neighbors include Tennessee Valley Authority. And so their commitment to the neighbors uh based on that initial location had to do with them committing to build an $80 million wastewater recycle facility, which is not just for the company because the company quite frankly already operates off of recycled water to cool the supercomput. But that $80 million facility that they are building is being built external of them in service to their neighbors which include new course steel which include TVA which are uh
181lined up to make use of using that wastewater recycle facility as opposed to pulling water from the aquifer for industrial uses and moving to the position of the new location or the expansion on two-lane road which is about an eighth of a mile from the Mississippi state line but is down the street from um John P. Freeman and in proximity to other schools. The commitment from the company was to actually reach out to those schools. We did tours of the schools with the school leaders who are here and just walking around having them to think through what some of the challenges are that they're having and what some of the ideas they have about investment and what they would like to see. we were able to get these exhaustive lists from these school leaders who
182I all I absolutely want to appreciate their leadership in those buildings. And so what you see is a reflection of what we heard from the school leaders. Uh in there are of course deferred maintenance issues, but there are also things like investing in drones and other things that will actually occur and support the students, support the staff. I want to also just say this um uh board member McKenna as it relates to the uh the timing of this. Um there had been some thought about doing this a couple of months ago in terms of how we had actually gotten what we needed from the principles. We were intentional understanding that there had been some lingering questions because there was a permit that was going that was up before the health department. And so to not
183be viewed as trying to make an investment, uh, one of the reasons we're here now is because we are past uh, the approval of the gas turbine permits that have been issued by the Shelby County Health Department because we did not want the image that in fact that somehow the company is in attempting to ingratiate itself with the community by making this investment to get viewed better as those permits were being viewed or reviewed by health department. We're past that. Uh the health department actually has checked off on those natural gas turbines that are out and being used at the facility right now, but we're here now because the timing is we're past so much of those issues and we're now here just understanding that in this moment, this is a straight investment. The only
184reason we're even public about this is because the rules require us to do so. Millions upon millions of dollars. You mentioned the Boys and Girls Club, but we have seen the apparatus of the leadership of the company and family of companies make over $50 million of investment in the Memphis community, and you've not heard anything about it because that has not been the style or the intent, which is uh try to persuade or get people to think differently. This investment has everything to do with wanting to be good to neighbors and to invest. But it's not just this. It's the conversations we've had with Dr. Richmond. It's a conversation we've had with board members who have visited XAI. We're looking forward to this being uh if you will an opening salvo as we move forward
185from the standpoint of being able to look and see what partnership looks like in the right now and then into the future as we begin to think about the jobs needed uh to actually fund us should I say support this tech and innovation hub we are becoming. >> So I think I you answered the question towards the end. So this is not transactional. This is going to be a relationship that we begin to be partners so that we can be all good neighbors and so that we can um think think innovatively on how this one of you know this big company that's come in um you know for some people are supportive some people aren't. I get that and we can't we can't say that that's not happening. So, I just want to be clear
186on the record that this is not a one-h hit wonder thing that this is the beginning of a partnership because again I heard partnership and I heard investment and and that is something that um I think being good neighbors the type of company you are the type of jobs we claim that would claim that it would draw in and where you're going to get your workforce from is us. So, how do we expand this relationship and partnership other than just giving us money for our buildings? >> Let me use uh let me if I could use the term you use transactional. I think transactional denotes that you're getting something back. So, I would say this is transactional from the standpoint that the company and the family of companies that are coming this way. SMC, Nvidia,
187Dell Computer, those companies want qualified talent. And so if there is something to be said about transactional, the investment is being made now and into the future because we're trying to build the talent that we need. Make no mistake about it, Shelby County lost more population than any other county in the nation last year. But it's not just about us being open to bringing people here. We want to end the brain drain where young people graduate from your schools, go off to college, and don't come back. We are attempting to incentivize, if you will, if it's transactional, it's about in making an investment in the district with an understanding that the district will produce the talent of individuals who can operate and be proficient at the jobs that we're building in this tech and innovation
188hub that we've developed. >> So, I'm going to say again that this is a partnership, the beginning of a partnership. >> That is the beginning of a partnership. Thank you, >> board member McKisik. >> Thank you, Chair. Uh, thank you, Mr. White. I had the good fortune of going to XAI and checking it out for myself. And as Dr. Richmond knows, I had a healthy dose of skepticism. And as a journalist, there's an old saying, if your mother says she loves you, check it out. So, um, I didn't just want to just blindly go along because like everyone else in the community been hearing this and that. I wanted to really learn for myself to truly understand to not only go visit Xai but to talk to members of the community to talk to uh
189had the chance to speak to some of the school principles and um you know there's a lot of support uh as well for for this and I had the good fortune of speaking with XAI leadership and looked them straight in the eye to ensure that this isn't just transactional they genuinely care about our communities and the children in the community. I'm talking about the folks who are local right here in Memphis, Tennessee. We know there's some craziness out there far away from Memphis, but the people who are transacting business being that level of transaction, they also genuinely care and we got to hear some personal stories and meet so many local people who are lives have been changed as a result. And so I say it's high time. I'm I'm putting everybody else, all the
190other business leadership and companies on notice. This level of investment that XAI is doing in this school. And they did mention that this is just the beginning that they plan to expand out more. They did mention about the uh the Boys and Girls Clubs, but this is they're putting their money where their mouth is and where their heart is. And uh I intend to support this. Thank you, >> Vice Chair Love. Uh, thank you for calling me last week. I had a very robust conversation while I was packing. >> Yes, ma'am. Thank you. >> Um, I don't know enough about this. I went to two uh two or three community meetings and all I heard was negativity. I didn't uh uh accompany you on the tour because I was out of town. >> Yes, ma'am.
191>> I would like to see the principles, the community. I don't know enough about this. So, um, it sounds good, but I don't know enough about this, and I'm not going to commit to something I don't know much about. There is a community outrage. This isn't my district, but this is my district. Um, I would love to hear from the board members who represent those schools. Give their comments or suggestions or um or questions. >> Is it okay for me to uh comment to your >> Yeah. >> So, um I do want to um and thank you, Madam Chair. Um thank you, Madam Dice Chair. I do want to appreciate you're taking the phone call. Um, I will say this that we have had a company that has quite frankly um complied with all you
192you will notice that if we were to go back and not to relitigate anything um but I think that you will notice that there hasn't been one government entity at the federal, state or local level that has made any statement regarding what the company has done that has not been uh um absolutely on par when comes to being in align with existing policy, regulation and law. Um, I will even go so far back as this might be new to you all, but when we started on this journey with the company, it was a year ago and it was during the Biden administration, right? And so folks like OSHA and the Environmental Protection Agency during the Biden administration were the ones who had oversight or insight, if you will, as it relates to the company and
193its dealings. So I would just say from the very beginning what we've been dealing with has been a negative perception of the company of course which has been about the founder who's absolutely controversial and we understand that but I don't want us to get one thing confused with the other in terms of what this investment is and these dollars are real. These companies are real. The three companies I mentioned that are setting up shop, expanding here in Memphis are all three Fortune 500 companies. Super Micro, Dell Computer, Nvidia. Their largest customer is XAI. And so I do not want one thing to get in the way of the other. There have been a number of officials at the federal, state, and local level who have quite frankly made their voice clear as it relates to
194u the legality and in terms of what has been allowable. But this is real in terms of someone who I did not point out, Mr. Brandon Doss, who is a Fairley graduate. And they was very cold at the XAI facility yesterday. Uh because Mr. Brandon Doss, a fairly graduate, is the one who does their HVAC work at the company. He is the gentleman who if allowed to would be the one working at the schools. So there's other stories to be told but I don't want us to miss the fact that this is an investment in the schools and in terms of transaction the company is asking for nothing in return other than a prepared workforce that they are willing to invest in with an understanding this is just an opening of a partnership we're looking
195to form and strengthen. Yes, >> board member Williams. >> I I did attend two of the meetings, one at Fairley High School and one at Westwood High School, and there was no support for this. I live in this community as well. I live in the Valleywood community. I my association has voted no support of this. And of course, Patrice Robinson, who was on the board, the board of LG GW forever with TVA has even has a sign out against it. I it's really confusing because what they're saying is that if it is what you say it's going to be why would you put it here? I mean why you've come to Memphis but you have you have selected an area. The Boxtown people said no no no it's 95% African-American where they're going with White
196Haven. In the White Haven area it's 95% African-American. I'm not sure, but I do know that in the White Haven area there is a mountain of resistance to this uh project. And if this is the way you're going to buy your way in to do it, I mean, if the school system supports it and we come back in 10 years and everybody over there is dead, then the school system is liable. >> Yes. And I'll say that because I grew up in Castellia Heights around the defense depot and they came with the same sugar before when they built that facility there. But half of our community died because they they they depot was there. >> Yeah. With respect. I'm sorry. So I just my point is if that it's grand and graded and it sounds
197very good but if the community doesn't want it I don't see how the school system can force the community if the if the community doesn't want it and the school system says yes we could you know we'll support you doing these things to our school then the school district is doing a disservice to the citizens that they serve in that community. Yeah, I will just say this and thank you for your comments, uh, board member. I just want to just clearly state that if this investment is not made in Memphis Shelby County Schools that there are lines of other educational institutions that are quite frankly lobbying the company heavily to make investments on the private side and otherwise because quite frankly we are at a point where there is nothing that the company needs. the
198supercomputer exists and Colossus 2 if it's not already operating should be operating in the next couple of weeks. So I think I want to just be clear on the fact that we're not at the beginning of the process, we're at the end of the process where the supercomput exists and is here. So to the extent that the explanation is if the company is intending to ingratiate itself by making an investment that is not true because there is nothing that the company is asking for from the community at this point. It's only looking to make an investment with its neighbors. And quite frankly I don't want to put the principles on the spot but I do have Pastor Melvin Watkins here who has been with us along the way who if it's okay uh would like
199to make comments if it's okay. Madam Chair. Madam Chair. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. >> Thank you. Um, many of you may know that I'm Pastor Watkins and I serve as board chair of Uplift Westwood CDC. I'm also, of course, the senior pastor of Mount Vernon Baptist Church and I'm the president of the Westwood Manor Elderly College Cottages affordable housing in Westwood. And we have been working in Westwood for quite some time as many of you probably know. But I do want to say something about the community. Uh because I think as I look around, we have several community members who are probably here maybe still in overflow. But Westwood is not a monolith, which means that um you can go to any community meeting in our community and find those who have different ideas.
200I've hosted several meetings in Westwood. I don't know if you were there, uh Mr. Williams, and others who who are talking about what the community wants, but we've hosted several commu community meetings about this. And the sentiment is different. It's not all the same. And there are so many in our community who are in favor of community partnership. This item that we're dealing with now has never come up in a community meeting. So to say that the community is against it is not factual because this is the first time we've heard about this organization coming into partnership. But let me just say as a community leader that I stand wholeheartedly in support of the school board's consideration and approval of this item because it's time for transformational investment to take place in our community and
201to continue to turn this into a political thing. It's I think we really we really have to be careful because we're going down a slippery slope. I cannot stand here and speak on behalf of all of Westwood, although I think I have quite a bit of authority to do so. And so I would not stand here and say that the community is against it because that's not true. There are so many in our community who are in favor of investment. And accepting this support could mark a gamechanging pivot for our schools in 319. And it speaks to the vision of a shared responsibility and collective progress. So, I strongly urge the board to embrace this opportunity with courage, with vision, with commitment to our children's future, and not about politics. Because if you're talking about
202turbines, and I'm I'm going sit down here, but if I'm wanting to know the science behind turbines, I don't want to hear from a politician or a preacher. The scientists are saying something different than the politicians and the preachers are saying. And so I want to stand on what the scientists are saying, not the politicians and the preachers. So I extend my full support and uh and I stand ready to work alongside of the district. This partnership will ensure that every child in the 3109, especially these schools have been listed, will have access to highquality facilities, education, and support that they need to flourish where they don't have to go out to Kville to see a nice football field, a nice uh gym, they can have it right here. And if we have a community
203partner that's here, whether we like it or not, they are here. And if they are here and ready to be a good neighbor, then who are we to stand back and say we have a problem with it because we have a issue with the CEO? And we can do a survey right now and I believe not everyone will feel the same way about all the CEOs. TVA has been in our community for decades and the best that they can do is give us a $5,000 a $5,000 grant. Now, you have a community partner that's here and will be here. So, I'm urging us to lay aside all of the games, the politics, and I'm standing with authority to say that not all of the community is against this community partner. And so, board, let's do
204the right thing by our children. This is a great opportunity to change the narrative. This will be a gamechanging moment for all of our schools in the 3A 109. >> Board member Porter. >> Thank you, Chair, and thanks for um the community support. Um as a school board member, it's my job to advocate for new resources to come to the school, whether it's my district, but just advocate for the whole district. And so my position is I I'm accepting any organizations willing to partner with the district just for the um the success of our children. We just talked about adding STEM programs in each region. Well, XAT has the the the the resources and the expediency to to make that dream come to life across the district. Yeah. Across the a partnership, collaboration, whatever word
205we want to use, but um I'm thankful for for partnership and opportunity. And partnership does not mean we we salish the concerns of the community. That's not our argument all the way. That's a more city council county commission argument. But again, thank you for the presentation. and I would like to be added to the resolution as well. So, uh, but anyway, thank you. >> Thank you, >> Bo Murphy. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, per our conversation, Mr. Bobby White, I was not pleased with the text or or the conversation. And so, uh, with the decision that I need to make, it will be because of you. It will be because I personally spoke with some of my principles that are in agreeance with it. So, it wouldn't be that reason, but also to uh
206Commissioner Williams point, um I did speak with some of the community members and some of them are in agreeance with it and some of them are not. Many of you know that my answer is no until I get till I get instructions, till I get information to see if it's going to benefit our children or not. So before I even say yes to anything, I have to to talk to people to see what they think about um XAI coming in and uh partnering with the school board. So I got some nay yays and I got some naysay. But what I was most concerned about is that when I spoke with my principles about it, they were in favor of it. At first they never they wasn't uh even approached about it. So I'm going to
207agree with Commissioner Williams on that one because they wasn't. But they were later on. So I spoke with them and they are in agreeance with it. So my decision won't be um it will be based on it is good for our schools. It is good for the upkeep of our schools and it's also good for our principles that want the upkeep for the schools. What I don't want is to get something started and then a year later you jump up and you leave and then it leaves us with the burden. So I just want to make sure that when it's done it's done right. We have that partnership. They're here to stay and I want to speak to Mr. Mayo myself so that we'll know that we don't have no problems because if we have
208a problem, it's going to be a problem. Thank you. >> Board member Otai. >> Thank you, board chair Coleman. Um I did want to bring to your attention that um Memphis happens to be the epicenter of poverty and we also happen to be the epicenter of technology and I did have the opportunity to go and tour uh the facility. I had several questions. I don't want to reiterate anything that was said tonight because we've already gone over that, but it just comes when I think about opportunity and moving our district forward and uh workforce development for our students, I think about the story um uh a gentleman that had a radio uh show and he would call his listeners Jonathan and that came from a book called Jonathan Livingston Seagull. Uh this book was uh
209to teach uh individuals how to fly and fly higher. And you have this saying uh give a man a fish he can eat for a day and you teach a man a fish he can eat for a lifetime. And our goal is to address the issue which is poverty. That's the issue that we have and the those issues are stemming to nutrition. It's stemming from healthcare and of course then it's in turn stemming to crime, right? And so we have to be able to provide opportunity uh for our students and opportunity for our community. And I think that's something um that um they are trying to do. And just based off of my conversation cuz I asked several questions yesterday um and I had the opportunity to speak with pastor as well along with yourself,
210Mr. Bobby. Um and I think that um again we're not deferring from the fact that um things need to be done. So, we're not proposing that we ignore um issues that could arise, but also what we're saying is we can teach people in the community how we can attack those issues. And the whole thing when u when I think about um um one of the issues, cuz I received a text while I was up here and I wanted to make sure I'm taking a note and I'm I'm saying this, we talk about emissions. We we want to be able to keep the emissions from the environment by putting the emissions back into the manufacturing process. And Mr. Brent Mayo talked about that yesterday and I think that's something that needs to be brought to the
211community attention and just know that we're not here to to hurt the community but to uh pour into the vision of our students. And so I'm I'm in support of that. I'm in support of um you know pouring into our schools. I'm in support of the afford the sporting facilities uh deferred maintenance. I'm in support of that. I'm in support of the partnership and I'm definitely in support of the workforce development. And I think lastly, I want to say that every citizen should have access to AI because this is where this is where we're moving to AI is the way of the world. And so I think that every citizen in Memphis, Shelby County should have access to that. So thank you. >> Um I I do want to make mention and I do thank
212you for the comments, but um Mr. Fred Smith um came up with a term called the digital delta. It's how we've marketed ourselves for the last couple of years on the backside of Blue Oval City and what we saw to be a project that we played a role in a $5 billion project stand about 42 miles away. We played a critical role in luring and winning that project and on the back side of that we began to talk about I want to appreciate uh the legacy of Mr. Richard uh Mr. Fred Smith who came up with this term digital delta. He and Richard Smith came up with this term digital delta. We vision cast and began to talk about digital delta and how we want Memphis to become this tech and innovation hub. And so
213it is interesting because when you look at our peer cities, we found out and saw that we had the highest cont conc concentration of black tech talent than any other city in the nation as related to black tech talent. And so what we're doing right now is building out an industry that matches the talent. And so what you see with XAI and what you see with these other companies that are coming to town, the magnetism alone of what this one project is bringing to bear is absolutely phenomenal. And Digital Delta is playing out before our eyes. We just were awarded chamber of the year and we received the deal of the year with the XAI project. And we were awarded chamber of the year just last week in Philadelphia because what you see is a
214vision that was cast and you see how it's manifesting with the companies that are coming here. The critical part to it is the talent to ensure that we have the individuals and the young people who can occupy the roles in this industry that we are building out. And so when you talk about partnership, we're looking very much forward to it. And I would also say this, when it even comes to crime, the best crime fighting tool in any community is a good paying job. And so we are interested in building on this and ensuring we can retain the talent here. And the last point I want to make is this. This company could just as easily say the tax dollars are known alone will be enough because you will see the benefit of it when
215the county begins to count those funds for the next couple of years. You'll see the investments you're able to make. And so we could have it where the company could sit and rest on its laurels and let everyone eat off of the tax dollars that it's brought. But to see them making an investment like this is absolutely encouraging. It's a model for what we want to see from other companies and we're excited. >> Thank you. I'd like to make a motion to move for the vote. >> We have several questions. Yes. Second. >> Board member McKenna. Board member Williams. Thank you. I want to say that I am happy that I've heard partnership and commitment to continuing to invest because with a neighbor as large as you all are. This is a commitment that comes
216across the county. I think you've said that that this is a commitment and a partnership across the county. We occupy a unique position as a community stakeholder. We are across the county. So all our students are across the county and they're not just in those three or four schools. So I want to be clear that I am absolutely absolutely in favor of investing in our schools and these particular schools. What I want again, and you answered that for me, which will allow me to support this, is that you are committed to a long-term partnership to do what we need to do to ensure that our students have those jobs you all are talking about. and that this is a a partner that is committed to do to helping us be that um facilitator of um
217employees. Correct. And so I just want to make sure that that that was clear when I asked about transaction and relationships. And I do believe there is a way even in this to mitigate or to to enhance those those those um um what am it's late those campuses right and you know I'm I'm one of those people that I'm thinking long term and I'm thinking big picture you and I have had the conversation Bobby and so I'm thinking you know one of the things is we again I'm concerned about the students too and I don't know uh and I've done my research and I've and and so there's things coming from both sides so putting in monitoring qual air quality monitoring stations on our campuses to keep our students safe. That's a small thing to
218ask. I think it's and it's a benefit for our students and it also ensures that our community, our students, our staff are safe and they are secure. And so that is something that I'm I think I'm I'm looking in here and um thisou that we will be um asking the superintendent to engage in um you know my hope is that we we do have to bring it back cuz there's some more stuff in it. >> Amen. >> Because of our partnership. >> Um >> thank you madam madam board member. We made it tried to make it as broad as we can because we did not want to limit. >> Board member Williams. I I will end by saying this. People don't come to us to you. They come to the community where they want to
219do the business. They can build the company where they want to build it and they can't they have the wherewithal to do so. And if you're saying our schools in that area are supporting the people who live there, the people who work at those schools don't necessarily live there. There's not a community over there that has supported this these efforts. I've gone to Fairley High School. I've gone to Hillrest High School and I've gone to Haven View Middle and my community meeting and all of those people were very upset about the process. Now to say you're going to come, you're going to get some jobs, you're going to build some schools, you may do all of that, but you're also going to kill a lot of people if it is what it is designed to
220do. It is going to suck up the water in the area. It's going to use up the it's going to have a very devastating effect on the health of that community. And if it does, if and when it does, the blowing would be on the hands of this school system and those of you who are bringing it because if it is what you're saying it is, why would they bring it to White Haven? >> Um, >> they would take it where just like blew over to everybody else, get up there where other folks live, they are not going to destroy their communities. >> Even the the the idea of having to do so if you could, we didn't get any of those other things. that we don't have to have what they have if it's
221going to kill everybody in the community or half of them and they cannot say unequ the health department said it was a hazard >> at the meeting at bar high school they gave us numbers and statistics >> so all of that has been debated debated with me and I'm good with it because I don't have to live in that community I have bu live there for a long time but I would not live there under those conditions If >> Okay, we're gonna move on. Miss Hugh Garcia for this. >> Yeah, >> I want to clarify tonight. The the decision before us is whether we are accepting an inind donation from a company that wants to invest in our infrastructure. The school XAI is going to exist in Memphis, whether the Memphis Shelby County School Board
222approves of their existence here or not. And if they want to invest in our children and families and their future workforce and the future leadership, I will not sleep tonight saying no to that. We we are not a taxing authority. We have county, city, state, federal dollars. We have no way to generate revenue and we all are we know the reality ahead of us to give our kids what they deserve. And I believe XAI is going to lead the lead by example of being uh a pillar in our funding structure and what it means to transform an entire community starting here. I move to call the vote. Second roll call vote. Board member McKisk I. Board member Garcia. >> Hi. >> Board member Porter. >> Hi. >> Board member Murphy. >> Hi. >> Board member
223Love. >> No. >> Board member McKini. >> I. >> Board member Otang. >> I. >> Board member Williams. >> No. >> Board chair Coleman. >> Hi. [Applause] Thank you. >> Have seven in the affirmative and you have two nos. >> That motion passes. There being no further business, means adjourned. Thank you and have a good night. Thank you for staying.