MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The frustration over the Memphis-Shelby County School Board's mishandling of their search for a new superintendent appeared to spread to the Board itself Tuesday, with one member announcing she would be stepping down due to the search process.
MSCS Board Vice Chair Sheleah Harris announced Tuesday's meeting would be her last as a member of the board after three years on the job. She referenced the superintendent search as the reason why.
"This is the highest level of ignorance I've ever been a part of, and for my own health, I just can't be a part of it anymore," Harris said in front of the Board.
Harris said she would continue to advocate for education. She was visibly upset during many parts of Tuesday night's meeting, designed to outline new qualifications for superintendent candidates.
The Board voted to open up the application pool for new applicants, essentially restarting the search process.
Harris previously was a high school teacher for MSCS and Bartlett City Schools, and represented District 5.
The Board announced in early May they would be delaying the search for a new superintendent - which began in August, 2022, after former superintendent Dr. Joris Ray was ousted for claims of misconduct - following their disappointment with hired search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates' chosen finalists. This was after passing their original deadline of May to have a superintendent hired.
The Board released a statement at the time:
We've heard the community concerns regarding the MSCS Super Search: better define the candidate selection process, answer unanswered policy questions and get this right for the benefit of all, especially our children. Rather than stopping the search, we will temporarily pause to allow the time and attention necessary to complete the required tasks. This must be thoughtfully done to instill community confidence in the person chosen to lead Memphis and Shelby County Schools.