Memphis-Shelby County Schools board approves agenda, adds Head Start occupancy item and University of Memphis affiliation

Memphis-Shelby County Schools board members approved the meeting agenda at their Aug. 27 business meeting and accepted three additions: a temporary occupancy agreement to transfer Head Start equipment and real property, a University of Memphis affiliation agreement (added as item 12.1), and placement of a selection process for a school board governance training provider.

The temporary occupancy agreement was presented to the board as a time-sensitive request intended to allow the district to transfer Head Start equipment and real property and to “get them into the building by Sept. 1,” according to Board member McKinney. Board members voted to approve the agenda, which incorporated those additions, by roll call (moved by Board member Williams; seconded by Board member McKissick). The roll call recorded affirmative votes from Board members McKissick, Garcia, Porter, Love, McKinney, Otey, Williams and Board Chair Coleman (8 in the affirmative). The motion carried and the agenda was approved.

Interim Superintendent Richmond also asked the board to add the University of Memphis affiliation agreement to the agenda. Richmond said, “Yes, madam chair. I'd like to add, I'd like request for action item number 12.1, University of Memphis affiliation agreement.” Board minutes show the addition was included when members approved the agenda.

The board received several public comments after the agenda vote. Amy Yu, who identified herself as a White Station High School student and founder of the GemX outreach program, told the board that student volunteers tutor at White Station Middle School and requested district transportation so more tutors could reach the school. “What my peers and I asked tonight, is if we can secure transportation, like riding the school bus every Thursday, to continue to reach our students and expand our impact,” Yu said. Board Chair Coleman responded, “Miss Yoo, we will the district will make that happen for you all.”

Other public commenters included Brianna Campbell, director of operations for ServiceMaster, who thanked the board and district leadership for ongoing custodial partnerships; Claudette Boyd, an alumnus and community member who thanked district leaders for recent assistance at Melrose High School; Stephanie Hope, speaking for Memphis Arts about an interest in purchasing Humes for an arts facility; and Liz Bridal, president of the United Education Association local, who urged investment in educators and said, “Budgets are moral documents. They reveal what and who we value.”

The meeting also included approval of minutes from prior meetings. The board approved minutes of the July 22 work session (roll call: 9 in the affirmative) and the July 29 business meeting (roll call: 9 in the affirmative).

No formal vote on the Head Start occupancy agreement, the University of Memphis affiliation agreement, or selection of a governance training provider was recorded at this meeting; the items were added to the agenda for consideration in forthcoming proceedings. Board member McKinney asked that general counsel explain details of the temporary occupancy agreement when the item is taken up.

Speakers and attendees who addressed the board during the public-comment portion were restricted to those who signed up before the meeting, under a state statute governing public comment procedures that the board referenced when opening the comment period.

The board recognized new principal appointments during superintendent recognitions later in the meeting and approved listed minutes, but substantive discussion and any formal votes on the newly added agenda items were not recorded in the transcript for this session. The newly added items will appear on the agenda for future consideration and any formal actions will be recorded at that time.