The Memphis-Shelby County Schools oversight board is ready to work, Chairman Billy Orgel stated in an Oct. 13 court filing.
The filing comes a few days after the board met for the second time after its operations were stalled by pending litigation.
"As chair of the Board, and in compliance with the Court's Order, I state under oath that the Board is ready, willing and able to perform its duties under the Act," the filing read.
The board was allowed to meet and establish its infrastructure, but the court was clear that the board would not be afforded any power over the school district until the board was prepared.
In a court order filed Oct. 5, U.S. Judge Waverly Crenshaw directed the oversight board to file a statement under oath by Billy Orgel,
the chairman of the oversight board, when the body is "ready, willing, and able to perform its duties."
In the latest filing, Orgel claims the board is ready now.
During its Oct. 8 meeting, the body adopted the guidelines for an executive director position, established a list of committees and established a system for approving contracts. Orgel cited those developments as evidence the board is ready.
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: Memphis schools oversight board 'ready, willing, and able' to govern, chairman says
