More than 100 people gathered in solidarity to support MSCS Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis leaders, parents, and other community members made their voices heard by marching from Poplar Avenue and North Hollywood Street to the front door of the Memphis Shelby County Schools (MSCS) administration building.
The MSCS board will decide whether to terminate the contract of Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins, next Tuesday, Jan. 21.
Despite the cold weather, more than 100 people marched nearly a mile in support of Dr. Feagins on Saturday, Jan. 18. The group’s message was clear: they want her to continue leading the district to success.
LaTasah Griggs emphasized that they will continue supporting Dr. Feagins despite the allegations she has had to address.
“We’re going to ride it out, we’re going to ride it all the way out. We want everybody to know that we’re standing with her,” Griggs said.
For many, this walk was more than just a demonstration—it was a symbolic act of sacrifice and dedication to what they believe is best for the children of MSCS.
Marcus Randolph, a concerned Memphis resident, told ABC24 he believes this is not their last opportunity to show the City of Memphis that Dr. Feagins is the right leader for the district.
-“It’s not the nuclear option, but it’s one more stance we can take to show that we did everything, everything,” Randolph said. “We left no stone unturned in trying to keep this team together. The schools, the parents, the teachers, the school board, the superintendent—all of that works together, and we have not worked together.”
As the vote on Dr. Feagins’ future approaches, board members have expressed concerns about her leadership, including a resolution accusing the Superintendent of patterns of behavior that are not conducive to the operation of the district. The board has also accused Dr. Feagins of financial mismanagement.
On Tuesday Jan. 14, Dr. Feagins responded to each claim during an MSCS board meeting, stating she would not tolerate any of these malicious attacks and reserved the right to take legal action if her contract is terminated.
“Getting rid of a coach, like we all know, in the middle of a school year or a season—you’re just throwing away the season,” Randolph said. “That’s what I feel they’re doing. I feel like it’s personal. Anything they said she did, she was able to debunk.”
MSCS parent Allie Byrne shared her disappointment with the situation, stating that Dr. Feagins has already made meaningful changes within the district in her short time as Superintendent.
“I’m a former MSCS teacher myself, so now having daughters in this system, I want to see the people at the top working and pushing for change instead of sitting around and being complacent, doing the same old thing we’ve had at MSCS for years. She came here and made change,” Byrne said.
