Exit interview: Former MSCS board member calls for leadership stability

Amber Huett-Garcia, a former member of the Memphis-Shelby County School Board, has called for stability in leadership to improve education outcomes in Memphis. She served on the school board for four years, during which time there were four different superintendents. Huett-Garcia believes that frequent leadership turnover makes it difficult to achieve meaningful change.

In her exclusive exit interview with Chalkbeat Tennessee, she expressed optimism about the current board and Superintendent Roderick Richmond but raised concerns about a potential state takeover of the district, which could once again disrupt leadership. Huett-Garcia also highlighted affordable housing as the biggest issue in Shelby County, noting its impact on chronic absenteeism and students experiencing homelessness.

She urged collaboration between the MSCS officials and the county commission to better utilize and allocate physical resources. Additionally, Huett-Garcia emphasized the need for the commission to create a strategic plan to bring in additional dollars to address the district's capital needs and improve educational outcomes.