One other high MSCS administrator is suspended after grievance

For the second time in six weeks, a Memphis-Shelby County Faculties official has been positioned on paid administrative depart pending an investigation into an worker grievance.

The character of the grievance towards Yolanda Martin, the district’s chief of human assets, was not instantly clear Friday afternoon. The district declined to touch upon the investigation, however interim Superintendent Toni Williams stated in an announcement that the district “investigates all worker complaints as we proceed our ongoing efforts to emphasise integrity in all MSCS capabilities.” 

Weeks earlier, the district put John Barker, deputy superintendent for strategic operations and finance, on depart following an worker grievance. The Business Attraction reported final month that Martin complained of ongoing race- and sex-based harassment, intimidation, and discrimination by Barker, her direct supervisor.

As of Friday, Barker stays on depart, the district stated. Barker and fellow Deputy Superintendent Angela Whitelaw not too long ago served as co-acting superintendents whereas Joris Ray was himself on paid administrative depart over claims that he abused his energy and violated district insurance policies. Ray resigned in late August below a severance settlement with the college board. 

Board Chair Althea Greene stated Friday that Martin’s depart will not be associated to her grievance towards Barker. She declined to remark additional.

The absence of two key district leaders comes within the midst of an already tumultuous faculty yr for MSCS, because the district faces challenges resembling an upcoming nationwide superintendent search, tutorial restoration from the  COVID pandemic, declining enrollment, instructor shortages, rising gun violence, and considerations about pupil psychological well being.

Requested about how the suspensions may have an effect on the district’s response to its personnel challenges, Sarah Carpenter, govt director of the guardian advocacy group Memphis LIFT, stated: “I belief this interim superintendent and the college board to do what’s proper.”

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