MSCS superintendent addresses safety, arming teachers in school
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As Memphis Shelby County Schools’ new leader, Dr. Marie Feagins continues her first 100 days by addressing the issues that are plaguing students.
One of those issues is safety, but arming teachers may not be the answer for MSCS.
Tuesday, Feagins sat down to share her plans for the future of Memphis Shelby County Schools.
New MSCS superintendent lays out plan for first 100 days
“More programs is not the answer. Doing more is not the answer. It’s doing the right things and that requires having conversations in a collaborative way,” Feagins said. “It’s more being proactive, establishing relationships so students feel comfortable sharing things before they happen, so we can get into the gap.”
A gap has been highlighted by recent crimes near schools like last week when three people were shot and killed in South Memphis. The incident put a nearby high school on lockdown.
“Increased security in terms of visibility is a viable way forward. I’m not sure if that means we will increase the number of staff,” Feagins said.
She says that she has a different outlook when it comes to a bill making its way through the legislature, allowing Tennessee teachers to be armed.
“We currently have armed officers,” Feagins said. “So, to ask a teacher and consider the same about being armed with a weapon is not something you’ll ever hear me speak highly of.”
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