MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Board Commissioners expressed growing concerns over safety for the state's largest school district.
ABC24 has discovered issues from last week's late dismissal from MSCS is the latest example that is creating tension between the district's communication team and Superintendent Marie Feagins.
Earlier this month two 6-year-olds brought guns to separate schools five days apart.
MSCS Board Commissioner Towanna Murphy said employees are in fear of speaking out because they could possibly lose their jobs due to issues with Feagins.
During Tuesday, Sept. 17, night's board commissioners work session meeting, the biggest topic that was not discussed is about an email circulating about friction between Feagins and the district's communication team.
Murphy said she understands whoever wrote the email does not want to publicly speak out.
"The best thing for them to do is just to stay quiet and send an email so that they will get their voices heard but not say who wrote the email because they are in fear of losing their jobs," Murphy said.
Murphy also told ABC24 she read the email and said she's disturbed those employees want to express their concerns, but if they do, they will not be able to take care of their families.
According to Murphy, there are times the public was notified before board commissioners about communication announcements. She said that kind of action cannot happen going forward.
"I don't wanna hear that a child brought a gun to school earlier today, but I didn't get it until I saw it on the news," she said. "I need to get it before hand. I need to get it at the time that it's happening, and sometimes we're not getting that."
Serita Applewhite works with a parent advocacy group called Memphis Lift. She said although the district does need to improve their communication efforts, she believes parents should step up by being more involved.
"As a parent, just stay in tuned with your school, make sure that you're in communication with your students, with your principal, your councilman leaders, councilman, women, your advocacy teams, anybody that's in the community that can point you in the right direction," Applewhite said.
MSCS Board Commissioner Sable Otey said as a parent, she also wants to see a plan in place for district-wide safety measures.
"My children go to school within the district as well, so I do personally want to ensure that we are putting the proper safety measures in place, and I would like to see the plan as well," Otey said.
ABC24 has asked for a copy of the email that's circulating around social media. However, some of the board commissioners have been asked not to share that email.
MSCS board commissioners on Tuesday night did not vote on anything, but they hope to start the conversation of what a safety plan will look like by next week's regular board meeting.