The Memphis-Shelby County Schools oversight board met for the second time on Oct. 8 after months of litigation prevented the body from convening.
The meeting, which lasted over three hours, focused on the structure and operation of the oversight board — a step that board members said would legitimize the board in the eyes of the court.
The oversight board has been blocked from operation since July 1, when MSCS leaders filed a lawsuit claiming the board invalidates voters' choice of locally elected officials.
But in a court order filed Oct. 5, U.S. District Court Judge Waverly Crenshaw for the Middle District of Tennessee indicated he was ready to lift that blockand directed oversight board chairman Billy Orgel to file a statement under oath when
the body is "ready, willing, and able to perform its duties."
Establishing a solid structure should demonstrate that "readiness," said Tennessee Senior Deputy Attorney General J.P. Urban during the meeting, who is acting as legal counsel for the oversight board.
"The line that we see that that order draws is that the board can take its steps to develop its infrastructure, develop its processes, but it may not require anything of the school system at this time," Urban said. "The board may ... have other open meetings to develop its processes and infrastructure, but we will need to file a statement with the court once certain actions are taken to get that infrastructure in place, and at that point, we expect the court will dissolve the status quo order."
During the meeting, the body adopted the guidelines for an executive director position, established a list of committees and established a system for approving contracts.
"This is just one more objective piece of evidence to show the court that we're ready to go," said oversight board member Dorsey Hopson.
It's not clear when the oversight board will file its statement of preparedness with the court. The Tennessee Attorney General's Office declined to comment on pending litigation ahead of the meeting.
The board discussed setting regular meeting times but did not land on a day during the Oct. 8 session.
Jack Armstrong covers breaking news and the environment for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached at jack.armstrong@commercialappeal.com and followed on X @jca2902.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: MSCS oversight board meets for first time after months of litigation
