Written by: JR Robinson

The Memphis-Shelby County School Board has found itself embroiled in controversy once again, and this time, the spotlight is on its glaring hypocrisy. While the board recently fired Superintendent Marie Feagins over what many are calling "weak" or politically motivated accusations, it continues to tolerate—and even shield—questionable behavior and conflicts of interest among its own members.

The Double Standards at Play

The recent termination of Superintendent Feagins was swift and decisive, with board members citing alleged violations of her contract and dishonesty. However, Feagins has vehemently denied the accusations, filing a lawsuit claiming the board violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act during her dismissal. Critics have labeled the firing as politically driven, pointing out that the allegations lacked substantial evidence and were more about internal power struggles than genuine misconduct.

In stark contrast, board member Keith Williams remains firmly in his dual roles as both a school board member and executive director of the Memphis-Shelby County Education Association (MSCEA), despite mounting concerns over conflicts of interest. Teachers and community members have repeatedly called out Williams for "double dipping" and questioned how he can fairly represent both the district's interests and those of the teachers' union. To add fuel to the fire, Williams is also under a Title IX investigation for harassment allegations—yet he remains in his position without any apparent urgency from the board to address these issues.

Corruption and Conflicts of Interest

The hypocrisy doesn't end with Williams. The district's financial audits have uncovered a troubling pattern of mismanagement, including overpayments to vendors, misuse of funds, and irregularities in procurement processes. Former Vice Chair Sheleah Harris resigned last year, alleging widespread corruption within the board and calling for an extensive audit to root out systemic issues. These revelations paint a picture of a school board riddled with conflicts of interest and questionable ethics.

For example:

• The board allowed payments to a lawn care vendor that exceeded contract limits without proper approval.
• Allegations surfaced about unearned payments to employees during vacation time.
• Procurement policies were reportedly manipulated to bypass board oversight.

While these issues are being quietly "addressed" through internal restructuring, there has been no public accountability for those involved—certainly not at the level Feagins faced.

A Call for Accountability

The juxtaposition of Feagins' firing with the ongoing tolerance for Williams' dual roles and other ethical lapses within the board highlights a troubling double standard. If Feagins was removed under claims of dishonesty and policy violations, why is there no similar urgency to address Williams' blatant conflict of interest or investigate allegations of corruption within the board itself? This selective enforcement of accountability erodes trust in the school board’s leadership and raises serious questions about its priorities.

The Bigger Picture

At its core, this situation reflects a failure to prioritize what truly matters: the students. Instead of focusing on improving educational outcomes or addressing systemic challenges within Memphis-Shelby County Schools, the board seems consumed by internal politics and self-preservation. This dysfunction not only undermines public confidence but also distracts from the pressing needs of students, teachers, and families.

What Needs to Change

1. Immediate Action on Conflicts of Interest: Keith Williams must step down from one of his roles—either as a school board member or as executive director of MSCEA—to eliminate any perception of bias or self-dealing.
2. Transparency in Governance: The board must publicly address allegations of corruption and implement stronger oversight mechanisms to prevent future mismanagement.
3. Consistency in Accountability: If Feagins was fired for alleged misconduct, then similar standards must be applied to all members of district leadership, including board members.
4. Focus on Students: The board must shift its focus back to improving education rather than engaging in political infighting.

Until these changes are made, Memphis-Shelby County Schools will continue to suffer under leadership that prioritizes politics over progress. The hypocrisy is undeniable—and it’s time for real accountability.