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Parents, providers and graduates praise Project Search and other transition programs at MSCS; board and superintendent highlight partnerships
Summary
Multiple speakers during public comment and district staff highlighted transition programs for students with disabilities (Project Search, College Campus Transition Program, Avon Lennox school and other partners), urging continued support and resources.
During the public comment period, more than a dozen speakers, several of them program partners, alumni and family members, described post‑secondary transition programs that serve students with disabilities and urged continued board support.
Rebecca Kigaira (identified as MSES post-secondary transition program staff) described the Project Search site at Methodist North and related partner worksites, saying the program prepares students for employment and independence and reporting awards for employment outcomes. Former intern Aronzo (Aronzo) Akins described his personal experience, saying the program built job skills and confidence; "they helped me build confidence up, and I love it," he said. Other speakers — including Ron Schuyler of Goodwill Excel (who also addressed a separate consent item), Anthony Phillips (an Excel Center graduate advocating programming for incarcerated students), Patrick Krolick (grant manager and researcher representing the University of Memphis Institute on Disability), Stacy Mayfield (Working World), Lavonne Richmond (parent describing Avon Lennox School), Camilla Molina (Project Search graduate), Elliot Richmond Jr. (founder of Regional Resourceful Developmental Services) and Mia King — recounted placement and training partnerships with Methodist North, Le Bonheur, Nike, the Peabody and other employers.
Patrick Krolick described the University of Memphis Institute on Disability partnership and presented outcome figures for the college campus transition program (CCTP) as reported by his organization. Several speakers emphasized that these programs are not traditional special education but transition services designed to move students toward competitive, integrated employment and independent living.
Superintendent Richmond and staff recognized the Department of Exceptional Education and partners during the superintendent’s report. The district presented a short video summary of six transition programs, listing partner employers and noting graduates employed by Memphis Shelby County Schools, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, Methodist North Hospital, the Peabody Hotel, Nike and Smoothie King. Richmond said staff would continue to partner with community providers and highlighted the visibility of student successes during May recognition events.
Board members thanked presenters and public commenters and asked staff to continue building partner relationships. No formal board action was taken on the transition programs at this meeting, but multiple speakers asked the board for sustained resources and partnership coordination.
Ending: District staff said they will continue partnership meetings and provide outcomes data to the board; several public commenters invited board members to upcoming ribbon cuttings and events.
