What’s happening: On Monday, Nov. 14, the Memphis-Shelby County Board of Education announced the start of their search for the next superintendent of Memphis-Shelby County Schools. It’s a big job, one that’s responsible for more than 110,000 students throughout the school district. Few positions have as big an impact on the community as this one, and the MSCS has an extensive program of public input sessions in place to make sure residents have a say in the process. And for those that can’t attend the in-person public input sessions, the MSCS just launched an online survey to broaden their reach.
What it is: The MSCS Super Search stakeholder survey is a five-minute online survey that seeks to find out what the community values most when it comes to public education. The survey is open to everyone, and whether they’re a parent or not. Sample questions include, “What is the most important improvement MSCS public schools need?” and “Think about the class of 2023 15 years after graduation (approximately 33-35-years old). How would you describe the best case scenario?”
The survey is open until Sunday, Jan. 15,
and available online.
Big picture: The stakeholder survey is just one of many public input strategies put in place by the MSCS Super Search team. In-person public input sessions for students, parents, and the community at large began in December and two more are planned for January. An independent search firm will then sift through the information come February, with the new superintendent expected to be announced by April.
Why it’s important: “Like the community meetings, the survey will provide parents, employees, and community members with a chance to share their school needs and a high-level view of the characteristics they’re seeking in the next superintendent,” says Rev. Althea Greene, MSCS Board Chair. “The information provided will be given to the superintendent search team in a summary report, so they can help identify who our top candidates should be.”
Visit the MSCS Super Search online to learn more about getting involved in the search for a new superintendent.
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