In this issue
- Term limits approved
- Officers elected
- Judges appointed
Term limits approved
How about some good news? Term limits have been extended to the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education.
After a lengthy discussion on August 11, the Shelby County Commission unanimously approved a resolution extending term limits to county school board members.
As mentioned here previously, this provision was made possible by a new state law passed by the General Assembly and signed by the Governor earlier this year. Local approval was also required for it to become effective in Shelby County.
The term limits for county school board will begin in 2026 and are not retroactive. Members will be limited to two consecutive terms, functioning the same as the limits that apply to members of the Shelby County Commission.
The same law also allows the Shelby County Commission to place all school board seats on the ballot in 2026, in order to sync up those elections with our own. This aspect of the law has not been approved yet, but it returns to the agenda this month.
My comments on these issues are available on this condensed video playback.
Term limits and concurrent elections are two measures that would restore a measure of accountability that is otherwise lacking.
Officers elected
Congratulations to Chair-elect Shante Avant and Vice Chair-elect David Bradford (both center). This 2022 photo just so happens to include all 9 commissioners who made Bradford the first Republican officer on the board in five years.
I previously wrote about the breakdown in collaboration across party lines in 2023. It is a welcome change to see both of these offices filled in a bi-partisan fashion, restoring what had been a common practice. This is a better model for Shelby County.
Judges appointed
With an unanimous vote, the Shelby County Commission has appointed Marcy Ingram to fill a vacancy in General Sessions Civil Court Division II created by the retirement of Judge Phyllis Gardner.
Judge Ingram takes the bench following a career in the Shelby County Attorney’s Office, where she worked closely with County Commissioners as a legal advisor. In that role, she drafted many of the resolutions and ordinances that came before the body, attended commission meetings, and kept us in compliance with local, state and federal law.
Judge Ingram has my full confidence, and I am pleased to see her step into this role.
Meanwhile, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has appointed two additional judges in Shelby County. Former assistant District Attorney Ray Lepone will replace retired Judge Paula Skahan in Criminal Court Division 1. Additionally, private practice attorney Chris Frulla will fill the vacancy in Circuit Court Division 3 created by Judge Valerie Smith’s promotion to the Court of Appeals.
Circuit Court Division 3 is the venue for the case brought by Dr. Marie Feagins against the Memphis Shelby County Board of Education.
In the media
7/20: Daily Memphian: 2026 elections shaping up
8/13: NewsTalk 98.9: MSCS board resolution
8/20: KWAM 990: What does it mean to be Memphis First?
8/21: NewsTalk 98.9: Grizzlies and FedExForum
8/27: KWAM 990: MSCS updates
Upcoming meetings
Sept 3 — Standing Committees, 8:30 a.m.
Sept 8 — Commission meeting, 3 p.m.
Sept 17 — Standing Committees, 8:30 a.m.
Sept 22 — Commission meeting, 3 p.m.
Stay in touch
If you have a question or concern, email me at mick.wright@shelbycountytn.gov.
You can speak with the Commission office by calling 901-222-1000.
I welcome your feedback on Facebook @CommissionerMickWright and X @mickwright.
Thanks for reading.
Mick Wright
Shelby County Commission – District 3