Florida-based company MGT drafted key policies and plans for the Memphis oversight board while the takeover was blocked. It’s done similar work in other school takeovers.
Minutes before the oversight board was scheduled to meet, a local judge temporarily blocked the state takeover of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.
Thornton, who represented District 10 on the county commission for 4 years, left her seat to join longtime parent advocacy group Memphis Lift.
A federal judge lifted the temporary block on the takeover days after the state-appointed oversight board said it was ready to take control. But the legal fight to permanently stop the takeover continues.
Oversight board Chair Billy Orgel informed the court Tuesday that last week’s meeting demonstrated the board’s readiness to take control of Memphis schools.
Nearly 20% of educators left Memphis-Shelby County Schools last year, sparking concerns as the district faces a potential state takeover and persistent teacher retention challenges.
The oversight board’s first meeting in months came days after a federal judge said the MSCS takeover could resume once the body is ready to take control.
Board Chair Tamarques Porter and Vice Chair Sable Otey said in an exclusive interview with Chalkbeat that they’re focused on improving teacher development and rebuilding trust in MSCS.
A federal judge indicated Monday that he plans to lift the block on the state-appointed oversight board once it says it is ready to begin work.
More than three months after Memphis school leaders sued over Tennessee’s takeover law, the case’s first full hearing is set for Oct. 2 in Nashville.