Shelby County school board chair rebukes private social media remarks; board member Tawana Murphy apologizes

Joyce Doris Coleman, chair of the Shelby County Board of Education, opened the board's chair's report Thursday by addressing private social media comments made by Board member Tawana Murphy and announcing the board will discuss the matter in public.

Coleman cited board policy 0023 and said she had already had a private conversation with Murphy. "The step is for the full board to discuss the item in public, which we plan to do today," Coleman said, adding that the final step could include "potentially issuing a censure by this body if there's another infraction." She described the comments as "insensitive and inappropriate" in the context of heightened concern among immigrant students and families.

Murphy spoke immediately afterward. "I acknowledge that such behavior is unacceptable," Board member Tawana Murphy said. "And I sincerely apologize to my colleagues and to the community at large. I understand that as an elected official, I represent all constituents." Murphy said she will use the incident as a lesson and is "committed to leading with professionalism."

Coleman framed the board's response as part of a duty to uphold decorum and to remain focused on district work. "As duly elected members of the Shelby County Board of Education, we are held to a higher standard of decorum and professionalism at all times," she said, and offered a public apology "for the hurt and frustration this may have caused the community to feel."

The board did not take a formal disciplinary vote during the work session. Coleman and other members said the item would be discussed publicly as the next step under board policy and that future actions, including possible censure, would depend on whether further infractions occur.

The exchange occurred near the start of the meeting after the board established a quorum and before the superintendent's report.