MSCS Superintendent Search Update: Two-Day Finalists Visit & Interviews Wrap-Up

School Board will discuss, appoint, and name the next superintendent on Feb. 9th

During Thursday and Friday’s Superintendent Search candidate visits, the three finalists for the next Superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) spent time immersed in the community.

The finalists – Yolonda C. Brown, Chief Academic Officer, Atlanta Public Schools; Dr. Marie Feagins, Chief of High Schools and Leadership Development, Detroit Public Schools Community District; and Dr. Cheryl Proctor, Deputy Superintendent, Instruction & School Communities, Portland (Oregon) Public Schools – met with nearly three-dozen groups of parents, teachers, and community organizations.

The small group meetings included representatives from Memphis-Shelby County Education Association, United Education Association of Shelby County, Hyde Family Foundation, MICAH Youth Council, Memphis LIFT, and several other organizations. The School Board accommodated all organizations that applied by the deadline. The finalists’ visits also included an infrastructure tour and a community meet and greet Thursday evening.

Search Co-Chair Joyce Dorse Coleman said the Board will vote this month to name the District’s next superintendent.

“We would like to thank everyone for your participation in this process so far. It has been our goal to maintain a Superintendent Search with integrity and honesty,” said Coleman. “With that being said, on Friday, Feb. 9th, we will meet at the Board of Education to discuss, appoint, and name the next superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools.”

The Board interviewed each candidate for two hours during their visits, with consultant Tomeka Hart Wigginton, founder of The HarWigg Group, and Max McGee, president of search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, also present. In Friday’s interviews, all three finalists shared their gratitude for the warm welcome and passionate advocacy from the community. In addition to offering heartfelt reflections on the city and county, Brown, Feagins, and Proctor also provided their academic vision and philosophy on operational efficiency.

The interviews were live streamed and remain available on District’s social media platforms, reflecting the Board’s commitment to transparency in the process. This year's search for the District’s next superintendent has prioritized community engagement. Tailgate Talks and website updates kept the public informed, while employee listening sessions ensured their perspectives were heard. This commitment to engagement continued during the Board interviews with those in the audience receiving a rubric to evaluate the finalists.

The Board will review all of the datapoints gathered during the process as it makes its decision about who will serve as the next superintendent of MSCS, the largest school district in Tennessee.

“The community support during the candidates’ visit has been tremendous,” said Search Co-Chair Stephanie Love. “They have shared with the three finalists our community pride and community opportunities.”

Board Chair Rev. Althea Greene echoed those sentiments.

“We’re grateful that so many families from across Memphis and Shelby County have enthusiastically participated in the search process and visits over the last two days,” Greene said. “Thank you 901!”

Click the links below to watch the candidate interviews.

Yolonda C. Brown