Memphis Schools Tackle Safety and Maintenance Challenges as New Year Kicks Off

As the new school year begins, leaders in Memphis are facing some significant hurdles, particularly around school safety and maintenance issues that have raised concerns among parents, teachers, and students alike. The superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, after a chaotic week that included narrowly avoiding a walkout by school resource officers (SROs), is stepping up efforts to reassure the community about safety measures and other essential services.

Superintendent Feagins took to the school board meeting to address worries head-on. Just days following a week fraught with tension, Feagins told board members, “I give you assurance … that our district is fine.” This reassurance comes after the decision to raise the salaries for the district’s 125-plus officers, a move made to ensure that law enforcement support in schools is both present and properly incentivized.

But safety isn’t the only issue facing Memphis schools this year. On the very first day of classes, August 5th, a dozen schools had to cut the day short due to serious air conditioning troubles, causing concern for students as the heat index soared to a blistering 106 degrees. “We have had some asthma-related incidents and a couple of seizures,” Feagins revealed. “And so that still remains at the top of mind for us.”

The reports are concerning, but there is a glimmer of hope as technicians have managed to tackle about one-third of the 1,393 work orders received in August regarding the air conditioning issues spread across the district’s 165 buildings. Unfortunately, the extent of the maintenance challenges is substantial, particularly considering the $1 billion backlog facing the district, still the largest school system in Tennessee. Feagins noted that the maintenance division is also dealing with a staff shortage, leading to a choice to increase pay for technicians who are now competing with companies like Ford Motor Co., which is setting up a new electric truck assembly plant nearby.

The atmosphere at the school board meeting was somewhat tense, with the new leadership team trying to balance urgent needs and long-term projects. However, there was unanimous agreement on a critical mission to push forward with Whitehaven High School’s ambitious $9.5 million STEM lab. The board approved an additional $2.3 million towards completing the project, which had broken ground back in April. Unfortunately, delays stemming from disbursement issues had pushed timelines back by three months. Community members and teachers present offered loud cheers in response to the decision, showcasing the strong community support for this initiative.

“This is a slam dunk; we should have already done this,” stated Wayne Hawkins, a teacher at Whitehaven, reflecting the sentiments of many who feel this project is vital for students’ educations.

In another significant development, the board decided to change its organizational structure. Going forward, the school system’s attorney will report directly to the elected board instead of the superintendent. This move aims to enhance independence and avert potential conflicts of interest that could undermine the district’s integrity.

As the board and Feagins work together, safety remains a priority, especially since SROs had recently threatened to leave their posts just days prior to a well-attended football jamboree. Last year, gunfire erupted at two games, creating palpable tension regarding safety at school events. Feagins assured that this year, thanks to the diligent work of SROs, no major incidents occurred during the jamboree that attracted nearly 6,000 attendees and featured 67 middle and high school teams. The board, grateful for the officers’ proactive measures, thanked them for ensuring a safe atmosphere throughout.

Another hurdle emerged when the newly appointed executive director of safety and security, George Harris, resigned just a day after being hired. His departure came after board members received emails highlighting allegations of misappropriation during his past tenure in Detroit. “I own that I made the offer to the individual based on the information that I had,” Feagins told the board candidly. The misstep prompted discussion about policy changes intended to enhance the strength of background checks for such critical roles in the future.

Board member Stephanie Love echoed the need for reform, stating, “I agree we need to strengthen policies so this will never happen again.”

As Memphis-Shelby County Schools starts this new chapter, it’s clear that the road ahead is filled with notable challenges. However, with commitment from school officials, community support, and strategic initiatives aimed at safety and infrastructure, there is hope that the district can set a positive course for the educational and personal growth of its students this year.