District to continue community listening sessions; partners and schedule announced

District staff updated the Community Outreach and Engagement Committee on Oct. 21 about ongoing board community listening sessions. The sessions are designed to gather input from families and community partners about district priorities and the state takeover.

What staff reported Staff said the first listening session was held Sept. 3 at the district’s East Regional Office in partnership with Equity Alliance, Memphis for All and Stand for Children; more than 75 people attended and staff recorded 21 questions from the public. The district will continue sessions with a scheduled in-person meeting on Oct. 22 at North Frasier Community Center (2555 Saint Elmo Ave., 5:30–7:30 p.m.), a virtual session on Nov. 6, a Nov. 12 session at Geismond Community Center and a Dec. 3 session at Whitehaven Community Center. Staff said questions and community concerns raised at earlier sessions would be answered at subsequent meetings and said packet materials include the questions raised in September.

Board requests and next steps Board members asked that session questions and official district responses be posted on the district website. Members also asked for a transparent process to invite and co-brand with community partners; one board member suggested drafting a resolution to formalize criteria for community engagement partners. Staff (communications/partnerships) said they could work with the chair, superintendent and communications team on a partner-selection process and website posting of Q&A.

Ending: Staff encouraged board members to continue directing community and partner recommendations to the communications and partnerships office and said session materials and responses would be shared with the board.

Speakers [{"name":"Community engagement staff","role_title":"Board community engagement team","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Roderick Richmond","role_title":"Interim Superintendent","affiliation_type":"government"},{"name":"Jermaine Johnson","role_title":"Chief Communications","affiliation_type":"government"}]

Authorities []

Actions [{"kind":"other","identifiers":{},"motion":"Continue board community listening sessions; publish questions and responses and develop transparent partner-selection process","mover":"staff","second":"not specified","vote_record":[],"tally":{},"outcome":"direction","notes":"Staff to work with communications and the chair to post Q&A and consider a resolution or policy on partner selection."}]

Clarifying details [{"category":"session_1","detail":"Sept. 3 session at East Regional Office (partnered with Equity Alliance, Memphis for All, Stand for Children); >75 attendees; 21 questions recorded","source_speaker":"community engagement staff"},{"category":"upcoming_sessions","detail":"Oct. 22 North Frasier Community Center 5:30–7:30 p.m.; virtual Nov. 6; Nov. 12 Geismond; Dec. 3 Whitehaven","source_speaker":"community engagement staff"}]

Proper_names [{"name":"Equity Alliance","type":"organization"},{"name":"Memphis for All","type":"organization"},{"name":"Stand for Children","type":"organization"},{"name":"North Frasier Community Center","type":"location"},{"name":"Geismond Community Center","type":"location"},{"name":"Whitehaven Community Center","type":"location"}]

Community_relevance {"geographies":["East region","North region","Whitehaven","Geismond"],"funding_sources":[],"impact_groups":["families","community partners"]}

Meeting_context {"engagement_level":{"speakers_count":3,"duration_minutes":30,"items_count":1},"implementation_risk":"low","history":[{"date":"2025-09-03","note":"First listed listening session held; staff recorded community questions."}]}

Searchable_tags ["community-engagement","listening-sessions","partnerships","communications"]

Provenance {"transcript_segments":[{"block_id":"t5652.8247","local_start":0,"local_end":120,"evidence_excerpt":"Good afternoon or good afternoon everyone, so I'm just gonna give an update on the, MSES board community listening sessions.","reason_code":"topicintro"},{"block_id":"t5762.675","local_start":0,"local_end":160,"evidence_excerpt":"Session 2 will be held on tomorrow, Wednesday, October 22 at the North Frasier Community Center...The time is from 05:30PM to 07:30PM. The link will be shared soon. We have a session on November 12...and Whitehaven Community Center, December 3.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}]}

Salience {"overall":0.48,"overall_justification":"Community listening sessions support public input and transparency but are informational rather than decision-making at committee level.","impact_scope":"local","impact_scope_justification":"Affects families and community groups across district regions.","attention_level":"medium","attention_level_justification":"Board members asked for public posting of Q&A and clarity on partner selection criteria."}