MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) superintendent Marie Feagins presented her budget to the district’s board Thursday during a community engagement session. This came after members passed a resolution halting Feagins' plan to eliminate 1,100 positions until she could present a personnel plan to the board.
"The question was how did we get here, what was your thinking, what was the purpose and how did we arrive at today’s current budget," Feagins said opening the meeting Thursday afternoon.
Feagins said Thursday that MSCS leaders were discussing personnel cuts back in November 2023. Feagins then suggested cutting an additional 156 early career teachers whose permits are set to expire. Seventy more positions would be cut due to Feagins' plan to phase out proximity learning — that's where students learn online while sitting in a classroom.
"It left me without many more questions, and it gave a clear route about where we're going and how we're going to move forward," MSCS parent Brittney Sessoms said.
And now board members who earlier this week said the cuts came as a surprise are glad they got a chance to look at Feagins' plan.
"Tonight was very helpful, very informative, very detailed and that's what we needed to see," board chairman Althea Greene said. "Change is easy. Change is something that as a board we want to embrace change, but I think as a board you need to show us."