MEMPHIS, TN - Memphis City and Shelby County Schools are moving forward with consolidation. On Thursday, August 25, 2011, the Memphis City School Board approved the memorandum of understanding that will allow the two school systems to move forward with a merger in 2013.
MCS teacher Nelson Moore says it was an important move for the entire county.
“Whether you were for or against consolidation," he tells abc24.com, "we’re past that now. It’s time the people of Memphis and Shelby County work together.”
The MCS board members took it one step further. Shelby County Schools, Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell and Memphis City Schools each have to choose five people to be part of a court-ordered transition board. That board oversees the unified school board during the transition process.
Thursday night, the city school board unanimously approved its' five members for the transition team.
MCS board president Martavius Jones says he’s happy about the selections even though he recognizes some holes.
“We don’t have anybody with a technical or business background," he says. "I hope those will be some of the holes that Mayor Luttrell and David Pickler with Shelby County Schools fill.”
The first five members of the transition team are:
Kenya Bradshaw, the state director for Stand for Children
- Dr. Reginald Green, a University of Memphis professor, Collierville resident and former Superintendent in Kentucky with previous school merger experience
- Dr. Barbara Prescott, a former Memphis School Board member and current consultant in strategic planning.
- Dr. Fred Johnson, former Shelby County Schools superintendent and former MCS administrator
- Daniel Kiel, a law professor at University of Memphis with extensive knowledge about consolidation
Kiel says he had no hesitation when he was asked to be on the team.
“My wife and I are born and bred Memphians,” Kiel says, “This is an issue that we care about and this is an opportunity to make an impact on the future of the city. I’m excited to be a part.”
