MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) superintendent, Dr. Marie Feagins, has decided to shake things up in the district.
Emails and videos that are now being made public show plans to cut more than 1,000 central office staff if they don't agree to going back to the classroom.
Some community leaders who spoke with ABC24 said employees are being forced into the classroom with limited to no experience. Other people in Memphis believe the district cuts are needed.
Feagins announcement was posted exclusively for MSCS staff on social media on Monday, and the the public became aware of it soon afterward. Feagins released nearly a two-minute video addressing cuts.
"If your position is impacted now or in the future, that shift is directly aligned with the pressing need to maximize our budget to yield improved supports for leaders and outcomes for students," Feagins said.
Feagins during her announcement said 363 impacted personnel have been offered positions in the classroom. She said so far 171 have accepted their new role. According to Feagins, she believes the move will address chronic absenteeism and students' academic performances.
In a separate email to staff obtained by ABC24, Feagins stated the cuts will become much deeper. It is expected to affect 1,100 positions. ABC24 discovered if MSCS staff doesn't accept the district's offer, they will be let go.
Beverly Davis, a parent advocate with Whitehaven Empowerment Zone, said this plan needs some fine tuning.
"I like the concept, but I think we're going about it wrong," Davis said.
Davis said the district needs should be met with teachers who have the best qualifications.
"What are we doing, just putting bodies in a classroom and asking them to what...take children that's already struggling to read and write and make it work?" she said. "Are we looking for someone to warm the seats?"
Former MSCS school board member, Reverence Kenneth Whalum Jr., told ABC24 the reality is that the central office is bloated.
"What that means is that most people are not gonna overreact," he said. "Most people are going to be realistic about the condition of the system. They're going to be realistic about the situation that they're in."
Whalum also believes Feagins' move will improve students' performance in time, though he said there will be staff members who are not keen on Feagins' decision.
"Why would you continue to have a heavily, heavily, heavily stocked central office when you have openings in the schools themselves?" he said.
There is improvement needed at MSCS based on the scores, which show 8 out of 10 students aren't proficient in reading or math.
On Tuesday, MSCS board member Althea Greene will hold a special meeting addressing Feagins' announcement. She sent ABC24 the following statement:
“I have received the email Dr. Feagins sent to employees and received calls and emails from staff regarding staff re-assignments and potential layoffs. I’m convening a special call meeting of the MSCS Board tomorrow to discuss these proposed changes in greater detail. I understand that change is necessary, but it can only be effective when communicated with measurable outcomes.”