MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A disgruntled former Memphis Shelby County Schools employee is calling on the district officials to do the right thing.
Jarvis Cook told ABC24 on Tuesday, he wants to know why he and three other colleague's positions were terminated after he spoke out against the district about job cuts in June.
According to Cook, he was retaliated against and expressed his frustration during Tuesday's MSCS Board of Commissioners meeting.
"Why were we being eliminated when this team handles a lot of high-level things for the district," Cook said.
Multiple MSCS Board Commissioners told ABC24 they are aware of Cook's situation and said they plan to have a conversation with MSCS Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins with the hope of finding a quick resolution.
Cook during public comment at MSCS Board of Commissioners meeting did not hold back after calling out the district. He called the termination of he and his colleague's disheartening.
"It's unprofessional for a school district that I would think know better with how to treat people, it's embarrassing that it's come to this," Cook said.
Cook said he believes he was retaliated after he advocated for the central office employees who were about to lose their jobs in June. He said less than three days they were informed their team was being eliminated. Cook said their last day as a member of the district's enterprise team was June 25.
"They could not answer any questions, they could not give any information and so that left us in disarray, because we wanted to know why," he said.
Cook told ABC24 he sent a complaint letter to the MSCS general counsel on August 19. He said in that letter it outlines the timeline of events leading to his position being eliminated. Cook said more than a month later, the district has yet to respond to his letter.
"It has impacted me financially as well as my other colleagues who have health issues, some are diabetic. They need health insurance; they need their insulin," Cook said.
According to the district's website, the positions from Cook's team were approved for the 2024-2025 school year.
MSCS Board Commissioner, Towanna Murphy said she is aware of what's going on, but stated this situation from her perspective goes beyond four people losing their job.
"There is more than just that young man, it's several, it's more than 50 different people that have reached out to me just personally and not on my email but personally saying that when they spoke out they were removed"
Cook said despite his complaint, he still would like to continue employment with MSCS. He told ABC24 he has applied for other positions within the district, but has not heard back about those job opportunities.
Murphy said Cook's investigation is still ongoing.
ABC24 reached out to MSCS for a comment about Cook and his colleague's investigation, but they have not responded.
