MSCS board delays begin of superintendent search

The Memphis-Shelby County Colleges board has delayed the beginning of its seek for a brand new superintendent to exchange Joris Ray, in order that its latest members can stand up to hurry on the method.

The board initially deliberate to debate the search throughout its month-to-month committee conferences Tuesday. However newly appointed board Chair Althea Greene mentioned she determined to push the dialog off for a number of weeks. Throughout that point, Greene mentioned, she’s going to meet with every new member to share a proposed timeline and “guarantee all the required info is shared with them earlier than it’s shared with the general public.” After that, Greene mentioned the board will launch the bidding course of for search companies.

The board has two new members who have been elected in August: Keith Williams, representing District 6, and Amber Huett-Garcia, District 8. One other member will be part of later this month to exchange Miska Clay Bibbs, who was elected to the Shelby County Fee in August. Clay Bibbs had represented District 7 since 2014.

The county fee will interview the candidates and appoint Clay Bibbs’ alternative on Oct. 17. That particular person will fill the remainder of her time period, which expires in August 2024.

Greene mentioned the board will probably focus on the superintendent search throughout its retreat scheduled for Oct. 28 and 29, and once more at its subsequent committee conferences on Nov. 8.

Ray resigned as superintendent on Aug. 23 beneath an settlement with the college board that gave him a severance package deal of about $480,000 plus another advantages. The settlement ended an exterior investigation into claims that Ray abused his energy and violated district insurance policies by partaking in sexual relationships with subordinates. Ray denied any wrongdoing. 

District finance chief Toni Williams has been serving as interim superintendent since Aug. 30.

Samantha West is a reporter for Chalkbeat Tennessee, the place she covers Ok-12 schooling in Memphis. Join with Samantha at swest@chalkbeat.org.