Members of the Memphis-Shelby County School board and other elected officials, including Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris and U.S. Congressman Steve Cohen, D-TN, held a press conference on Friday morning to announce a plan they hope will head off state intervention.
Board Chair Natalie McKinney told spectators that leaders began working on the Local Accountability and Transformation Plan more than a year ago. Once approved by the school board, it will prioritize strong governance and accountability, better academic outcomes for students, stable and transparent district operations, and a long-term plan for improving school facilities.
“This plan offers a local solution for strengthening our schools while keeping leadership and decision-making here in Memphis and Shelby County. Our board believes real improvement in public education comes from local accountability, strong leadership, and strong community partnerships,” said McKinney.
What’s in the Plan
The plan includes key benchmarks for academic, fiscal, and operational improvements, along with a commitment to make improvements following an ongoing Comptroller audit, and the creation of a new Intergovernmental Transformation Council…