MEMPHIS, TN - The Memphis City Schools Board told Superintendent Kriner Cash Monday night, they want him stay with the district until it consolidates with county schools. The board voted unanimously to extend Dr. Cash's contract through August 1, 2013. It was set to expire in June 2012.
The new agreement keeps Dr. Cash in place through the school merger transition period mandated by state legislation. That legislation is being challenged in court. Board members say MCS can't risk having no leader in place during that critical time.
“This is a good message, it's a strong message to send to our staff and to the community that we are back on track with this reform work, and we're improving the Memphis City Schools while we work toward a unification of the two school systems,” said Dr. Cash. “In another two years, to me, we can accomplish that much more and leave it so much better and further along that when I found it just 2 1/2 years ago.”
So what happens after 2013? Dr. Cash says it depends on how the consolidation process pans out. He's not interested in a lesser position if the mega system gets divided into smaller school districts. He also says he would not accept a deputy superintendent's position.
