Lack of Transparency in Open Govt Meetings, August 2025

Several concerns expressed by certain members of our Shelby County delegation to our General Assembly delegation are in the recent but failed state bill SB714/HB662 . This bill aimed to increase state government oversight of the Memphis Shelby County Schools district in the areas of student achievement, district finances, and leadership effectiveness. This bill sought to create an “advisory board” to oversee or control the Memphis Shelby County School Board, including influence over removing elected school board members.  It did not pass as the bill diverged on the details in the House and the Senate. This makes no sense to those possessing professional Memphis Title I teaching experience.  The bill’s Senate version stated the appointed “advisory board” would be exempt from both oversight and Tennessee’s public meeting laws. Such exemptions prohibit public comment and attendance of in-person or virtual advisory board meetings. Read more at: