MSCS Parents, do you know about MSCS Policies 6061 and 6065? - An interview with Mr. Marc Williams

Local & National News | March 26, 2026 | 7:35 p.m. CDT

Written by: Gilbert Barnes Carter III

I sat with some of my favorite young difference makers with Young Minds United (YMU) on Sunday, March 15 at Evangelist Missionary Baptist Church during their last Youth Conference meeting. I received awareness about more critical education issues, such as the current shortage of school nurses across the entire state. Mr. Marc Williams provided everyone present with awareness about two MSCS policies with great implications. I was completely unaware of MSCS Policies 6061 (Student Congress) and 6065 (Student Government).

I had to imagine the number of parents across the District who are still unaware of those two policies. Their codification allows for schoolchildren to effectuate change in real time.

Will the current MSCS School Board Members give due diligence to ensure that those two policies are in full effect at every school?

Mr. Williams expounded with me recently.

1. How do you currently serve personally and professionally in Memphis?

"I am the Shelby County Youth Council District 10 Youth Representative, as well as the Tennessee School Boards Association Student Congress On Policies in Education President and MSCS Student Congressman for Hollis F. Price Middle College."

2. Please provide our readers with background information about MSCS Policies 6061 (Student Congress) and 6065 (Student Government). Why are they important across the District at the institutional and legal levels?

a. "Policy number 6061 is one of the two main policies that are for amplifying student voices across the District. This policy pertains to Student Congress, the District wide student leadership body that helps advise the MSCS Board Members, Superintendent, Central Office administrators and department heads, support staff members, and school principals. We are selected from every school from grades 8 through 12 by our school principals, and we represent our student bodies."

"The reason why this policy is important is because a direct line of communication is provided for top officials and Board Members to know and see what students are going through exactly. We make sure that student voices are amplified and recognized. We expect for District leaders to take appropriate actions after gaining an understanding from such amplification and recognition. We also help advise District leaders on student issues. When that in particular is ignored, it can lead to students developing a disconnection across the District, in which the main constituency for the District is students."

"The reason why this policy is important is because a direct line of communication is provided for top officials and Board Members to know and see what students are going through exactly. We make sure that student voices are amplified and recognized. We expect for District leaders to take appropriate actions after gaining an understanding from such amplification and recognition."

Mr. Marc Williams

b. "Policy number 6065 pertains to Student Governments within the individual middle and high schools. It is a direct way for school leadership officials such as principals, counselors, teachers, and faculty to gain more insight directly inside of their schools. Effective SGAs can completely ensure that student voices are amplified and heard, and can also ensure that relationships between adults and children are excellent. When an SGA is not effective, or not present, principals in particular lack direct student feedback about specific school issues. The ineffectiveness or absence also makes way for adultism and can leave an entire student body disconnected from administrators and support staff members, which leads to a more hostile environment for everyone."

"Policy number 6065 pertains to Student Governments within the individual middle and high schools. It is a direct way for school leadership officials such as principals, counselors, teachers, and faculty to gain more insight directly inside of their schools. Effective SGAs can completely ensure that student voices are amplified and heard, and can also ensure that relationships between adults and children are excellent." 

Mr. Marc Williams

3. What is your specific affiliation with Mr. Johnathan Isom, Ms. Jasmine Bernard, and the rest of the dynamic Youth Minds United organization?

"I am a fellow co-worker of Ms. Jasmine Bernard at BRIDGES USA, where we have worked on many issues with associated impacts across Memphis and Shelby County. She is a very bright young lady who I can trust when we are tag teaming on any project. I can be completely sure that she knows what's she's doing, and that she will do it in a very excellent fashion!"

"With Mr. Johnathan Isom, he personally invited me to join Youth Minds United. Mr. Isom is a very bright young man, and he is stepping out to help protect his community members and have positive influence for them!"

"With Youth Minds United, I am a new member, so I have yet to truly get my feet wet, but I have faith in my fellow members. The organization is designed for us to work in good faith and conscience. We are helping to show that not only youth voices matter, but that we can also do things and have a positive influence for people."

Mr. Johnathan Isom has a complete vote of confidence for Mr. Williams in turn.

"The conversation that Marc Williams led about the need for Student Congress and Student Government representation in every school across the District is not just important, it is necessary. Too often, decisions are made about students without students being present at the tables. When young people have structured leadership platforms like Student Government and Student Congress, they gain opportunities to develop civic responsibility, leadership skills, and real voices in the direction of their schools."

"Student representation ensures that the issues students face every day, whether related to school climate, academic support, safety, or opportunities, are communicated directly to school leadership and District decision makers. It also encourages students to take ownership of their school communities and become active participants in shaping solutions."

"With Youth Minds United, I am a new member, so I have yet to truly get my feet wet, but I have faith in my fellow members. The organization is designed for us to work in good faith and conscience. We are helping to show that not only youth voices matter, but that we can also do things and have a positive influence for people."

Mr. Marc Williams

"The conversation that Marc Williams led about the need for Student Congress and Student Government representation in every school across the District is not just important, it is necessary. Too often, decisions are made about students without students being present at the tables. When young people have structured leadership platforms like Student Government and Student Congress, they gain opportunities to develop civic responsibility, leadership skills, and real voices in the direction of their schools."

Mr. Johnathan Isom

4. Which goals do you have for service at the state level here in Tennessee?

"Honestly, I want to help change how Tennessee as a state is looked upon as. Tennessee is not a bad state. We just have things to fix. I also want to show my fellow youth that you can do the things that I'm doing at my age, and that the sky is the floor! I feel that youth voice can be one of the influencing factors for how many governments are ran."

"I feel that youth voice can be one of the influencing factors for how many governments are ran."

Mr. Marc Williams

It is always rewarding to see the Youth Minds United members display their synergy and support for one another. Mr. Isom is swift to speak about his fellow young comrades with great admiration.

"At Youth Minds United, we strongly believe that empowering students with leadership roles strengthens not only individual schools but the entire District. Establishing Student Government or Student Congress representation in every school would create a pipeline of young leaders who are prepared to engage in civic life, advocate for their peers, and contribute meaningfully for their communities."

"We commend Marc Williams for raising this issue and recognizing that the acknowledgement of student voice must be institutionalized, not optional. When students are organized and empowered, their schools become stronger, they are more responsive, and they have more democratic spaces for learning."

Photo Credits:

Header Photo: Mr. Marc Williams

Body Photo: Mr. Marc Williams

Gilbert Barnes Carter III is a Memphis-based author, child welfare advocate, community organizer, emerging farmer, gardener, journalist, and social justice advocate. He began his social justice advocacy and work by serving as a Shelby County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review (FIMR) Board volunteer in 2005. He has worked since then to effectuate change for low-wage, immigrant, and migrant workers as a Temporary Workers Campaign Manager with Workers Interfaith Network; an advocate for Teamsters Local 667 sanitation workers; and a community / field organizer to uphold blight reduction, efficient public mass transit, environmental justice, food access, food justice, food security, narrative change, and public safety.