News Summary
Marie Feagins, the former superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, is taking legal action against her dismissal, seeking reinstatement. Her attorney argues that the school board violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act by failing to notify the public before terminating her employment. Feagins claims the board’s actions were illegal and harmed her reputation and financial stability. The school board has refuted these claims, affirming their rationale for her termination was justified. The outcome could affect the governance of MSCS significantly.
MEMPHIS – Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Marie Feagins is taking legal action to challenge her dismissal from the position she held, seeking reinstatement through a court ruling. Feagins has filed a request for a preliminary injunction with the Shelby County Circuit Court, aiming to void the school board’s decision to terminate her employment, which was made on January 21.
The motion was submitted by Feagins’ attorney, William Wooten, who argues that the termination process violated the Tennessee Open Meetings Act. This act mandates that discussions involving public officials and decisions impacting the public must occur in open meetings with proper notice to the community. Feagins contends that the school board did not provide adequate public notice regarding the meetings that dealt with her firing and instead conducted private discussions to orchestrate her dismissal.
In addition to her request for reinstatement, Feagins argues that her termination has resulted in immediate and significant harm, including loss of employment and income, as well as damage to her professional reputation. The civil lawsuit filed by Feagins indicates that the board’s actions were not only illegal but also a gross violation of standard operating procedures.
Feagins’ legal team has presented evidence that suggests multiple board members engaged in text communications concerning her termination during an official school board meeting. Furthermore, an amended version of the lawsuit highlights statements from MSCS Board member Towanna Murphy, who admitted to discussing Feagins’ firing with fellow board members over the phone. This admission raises questions about the board’s adherence to the stipulations of the Open Meetings Act.
Additionally, the amended lawsuit claims that the school board held private communications with the public relations firm Carter Malone Group to strategize regarding Feagins’ termination. Such allegations, if proven true, could further complicate the board’s legal standing in this matter.
In response to Feagins’ lawsuit, MSCS has publicly stated that the claims are without merit and that Feagins should not be reinstated. They emphasized their commitment to serving the students of the district and indicated that they would vigorously fight against the claims made in the lawsuit. The board believes that the rationale behind Feagins’ termination was justified and aligned with the best interests of the school system.
Feagins is seeking either a reinstatement to her role as superintendent or a payout of nearly $500,000, a figure stipulated in her contract for termination without cause. The outcome of this legal case will not only have implications for Feagins but could also impact the governance and operational transparency of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools system. The school boardโs actions and adherence to legal protocols are likely to be scrutinized as this case unfolds in the court.
As the situation develops, it remains to be seen how the court will rule on Feagins’ requests. The Shelby County Circuit Court’s decision could redefine the relationship between the school board and the superintendent position, as well as establish precedents for how such terminations should be conducted in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Commercial Appeal: Marie Feagins Court Job Reinstated
- Google Search: Marie Feagins news
- Daily Memphian: Marie Feagins Renewed Request
- Wikipedia: Tennessee Open Meetings Act
- WREG: Former MSCS Superintendent Feagins Seeks Injunction
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Civil Lawsuit
- Fox 13 Memphis: Exclusive Interview with Marie Feagins
- Google News: Marie Feagins
- Fox 13 Memphis: Dr. Marie Feagins Fired as MSCS Superintendent
Author: STAFF HERE MEMPHIS WRITER
The MEMPHIS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMemphis.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Memphis, Shelby County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the areaโwith deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Beale Street Music Festival, Elvis Week, and Memphis in May International Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Memphis Chamber and the Memphis Convention & Visitors Bureau, plus leading businesses in logistics, healthcare, and music that power the local economy such as FedEx, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and AutoZone. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREChattanooga.com, HEREKnoxville.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
