MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Otis Sanford reporting:
The Memphis-Shelby County school board is at a turning point in its year-long (and so far fruitless) search for a new superintendent. The board's credibility has taken a major hit after members decided to rewrite the qualifications for a superintendent to deemphasize "classroom experience."
Some say the revisions are designed to give interim superintendent Toni Williams an advantage for the job.
Still, the big news this week was the abrupt resignation — smack in the middle of a called meeting — by board member Sheleah Harris. The frustration that Harris feels about the superintendent search process is understandable, but her comment that the board has displayed the "highest level of ignorance" was over the top.
She followed up the insult with a written statement alleging misappropriation of funds and other questionable practices, but she offered no proof of the allegations.
So now, all we have is a hot mess that has gotten even hotter. Board meetings were already strained, but Harris quitting in a huff only made matters worse.
The county commission is now tasked with filling the vacancy at a time when that body is preoccupied with budget talks and the likelihood of an increase in the county property tax or "Wheel Tax."
I don't doubt the good intentions of any individual school board member, but as a group, they have lots of work to do to repair their image.
I'm Otis Sanford, and that's my point of view.