Shelby County Commission postpones vote to shake up MSCS board election cycle

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Monday, the Shelby County Commission met to vote on a resolution to drastically change the election cycles of Memphis-Shelby County School (MSCS) board members, but the vote was deferred after questions were raised on the resolution’s legality.

The resolution would realign school board elections to the same election cycle as the commission, meaning all school board seats would be up for re-election in 2026.

The resolution would also set limits restricting school board members to serve a maximum of two consecutive terms.

Eight of the nine school board members made an appearance to protest the resolution, arguing that shifting their election cycles was undemocratic, as many board members have only served half a term.

“They say if we align school board elections, it’ll bring out a higher voter turnout,” says board member Tamarques Porter. “But oftentimes, that’s not the case. That doesn’t account for accountability, transparency.”

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