Written By JR Robinson

In 2026, every seat on the Memphis-Shelby County School Board is up for election—a rare opportunity for voters to shape the future of education in their city. This move comes after a tumultuous year marked by community frustration, controversial school closures, strained leadership, and sharp criticism of board decisions. The upcoming election is not just about filling seats; it’s a chance for Memphis to demand accountability, inspire new leadership, and insist on meaningful qualifications for those entrusted with the city’s children and schools.

The Process: How to Get on the Ballot

Any resident interested in serving must follow these steps:

• Meet the Qualifications: Candidates must be registered voters living in the district they seek to represent, citizens of recognized integrity and ability, and possess at least a high school diploma or GED.
• Pick Up Your Petition: Obtain the official candidate petition from the Shelby County Election Commission. Petitions may only be picked up in person by the candidate or someone else, but the candidate must sign it personally.
• Collect Valid Signatures: Gather at least 25 valid signatures from registered voters in the candidate’s district. More are recommended, as some may be disqualified during verification.
• Meet Deadlines: Submit the petition to the Election Commission before the posted deadline, typically noon on the cutoff date. If enough signatures are validated, the candidate is certified for the ballot.
• File Required Disclosures: Candidates must submit financial disclosures and a Statement of Interest with the Tennessee Ethics Commission, in addition to any requirements from campaign finance authorities.
• Adhere to Non-Partisan Campaigns: The school board election is officially non-partisan, meaning candidates may not campaign as political party nominees.

Legal Qualifications for Candidates

According to Tennessee state law and Shelby County Board of Education policy, candidates must:

• Be bona fide residents and registered voters of the district in which they’re running.
• Demonstrate recognized integrity, intelligence, and ability to perform the duties.
• Provide proof of a high school diploma or GED.
• Not be serving as a county official, such as the mayor or a commissioner.
• Not campaign as a partisan nominee—these are non-partisan races.

What Should Qualifications Be For School Board Members?

Beyond the bare legal minimum, Shelby County should consider higher standards for those entrusted to oversee its schools:

• Education Beyond High School: While only a high school diploma or GED is legally required, most businesses require postsecondary education for significant decision-making roles. School board members decide on multimillion-dollar budgets, complex policies, and educational strategies.
• Leadership and Teamwork Skills: Board members need the ability to work effectively with fellow members, administrators, and the community. Businesses look for collaboration, conflict resolution, and strong leadership track records.
• Relevant Experience: Experience in education, finance, governance, or nonprofit management is highly valuable. Most businesses seek prior success or relevant professional expertise aligned with the role.
• Ethics and Integrity: Beyond any background check, voters should seek candidates with a record of ethical conduct, transparency, and demonstrated commitment to children and families.
• Community Involvement: Direct involvement in schools or community organizations signals real investment in the district’s well-being.
• Vision and Passion for Education: School board members must care deeply about public education and be prepared to articulate a vision for improving outcomes for all children.

If School Board Was a Business Job: Typical Requirements

If managing Shelby County Schools was a CEO or director role at a business, typical qualifications might include:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in education, business, public administration, or a related field.
• Significant experience managing teams, budgets, or complex projects.
• Proven record of decision-making and crisis management.
• Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations.
• Strategic planning and ability to measure performance.

Businesses set such standards to ensure competence, consistency, integrity, and stewardship of resources. Voters should expect nothing less for a role affecting the lives and successes of tens of thousands of children.

Why Memphis Voters Should Demand High Standards

School board decisions shape the future of Memphis—from the quality of instruction and facilities to the broader economic and social health of the city. Recent painful events highlight what’s at stake:

• School Closures and Displacement: The board’s controversial plans to close under-enrolled schools and manage aging facilities have uprooted students and staff, sometimes sending children to lower-performing schools. The board’s decisions directly affect not just academics but neighborhoods and family stability.
• Leadership Crisis: Sudden firings—like that of Superintendent Marie Feagins—have sparked public outcry, accusations of retaliation, and instability. Leadership changes disrupt school operations and erode trust.
• Community Frustration: Angry commission meetings, district parents demanding change, and accusations of dishonesty demonstrated a breakdown in communication and accountability. Critics say the board is not responsive to the voices of families or teachers.
• Academic and Fiscal Responsibility: Board members control billions in public funds and set policies that determine Memphis’s educational outcomes. Poor choices can lead to lost opportunities, neglected facilities, and worsening inequalities.

School Board Members’ True Impact

The impact of school board members goes far beyond meeting schedules or approving budgets:

• Educational Equity: Board decisions determine whether schools are resourced fairly and whether every child—regardless of neighborhood or background—has access to quality instruction and support.
• District Reputation and Student Opportunities: Board actions affect district ratings, graduation rates, and students’ prospects after high school. Success builds community pride and attracts families and talent; failure drives frustration and flight.
• Facility Planning and Community Wellness: The board decides which buildings to maintain, close, or repurpose—affecting neighborhood stability and economic opportunity.
• Fiscal Stewardship: Prudent spending can help retain teachers, fund enrichment programs, and ensure safe, modern buildings. Waste or mismanagement erodes confidence and damages learning.
• Public Trust and Civic Health: Good governance promotes transparency, responsiveness, and collaboration; dysfunction creates heated divisions and public disengagement.

After a Painful Year: Urgency and Responsibility

Memphis’s recent experience—leadership upheaval, bitter public meetings, and contentious school closures—has made clear that school board choices matter deeply. When unqualified or poorly matched members lead, children and entire communities suffer. When voters raise their standards and demand accountability, the board can become a true engine of progress.

Recommendations to Voters

Every Memphian deserves board members who are:

• Qualified by more than just residency and a diploma.
• Skilled collaborators and ethical leaders, not simply political survivors.
• Visionaries with a track record, not blank slates or placeholders.
• Transparent, communicative, and responsive to community needs and feedback.
• Financially literate and strategically minded, prepared to make hard choices with discipline and vision.

Voters should ask tough questions, research backgrounds, attend candidate forums, and insist that those seeking the office recognize its gravity. School board service is not just ceremonial—it is one of the most influential roles in local government with long term impact.

2026’s school board election is Memphis’s chance to rewrite its educational future after a difficult year. Voters must demand more than the legal minimum: vision, integrity, expertise, and a heart for children. The stakes—student achievement, community stability, fiscal responsibility, and public trust—could not be higher.

All sources referenced above were accessed from official Shelby County Election Commission material, board policy documents, and recent news reporting on the district’s crisis, controversies, and impact on the city.