When former Memphis-Shelby County Schools board member Sheleah Harris resigned her seat in June, Mauricio Calvo immediately went to his family and Latino Memphis coworkers to ask them an important question: What did they think about him pursuing the vacant District 5 seat?

“I knew it would affect my family and my employer most, so I wanted to approach them first,” Calvo said.

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So with his family and employer’s support, Calvo applied for the seat, underwent an interview process and won the Shelby County Commission’s appointment July 17. He was sworn in Friday, Aug. 4, as the first Latino to serve on the school board.

Calvo, 48, is a Mexico City native who came to Memphis to attend Christian Brothers University three decades ago. He is the CEO of Latino Memphis, a nonprofit organization that provides resources to the local Latino community.

Barely one week into his new role, Calvo already has ideas regarding the superintendent search, charter schools and student literacy.

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MSCS interim superintendent Toni Williams’ contract expires Aug. 29, 2024, and the district is still looking to fill the position permanently.

While the next superintendent should have experience working in education, Calvo said teaching experience shouldn’t be the primary consideration.

Mauricio Calvo appointed to Memphis-Shelby County Schools board

“I think the next leader needs to have a track record working in education, but I don’t know if they necessarily need to be an educator,” Calvo said. “Just because you’re a good teacher doesn’t make you a good superintendent.”

Calvo would prefer a superintendent that has a successful record managing a large, diverse school district with characteristics similar to MSCS.

“Teaching experience helps,” Calvo said. “But if they had worked for a number of years leading a district very successfully, why should we say no just because they haven’t taught third grade?”

Charter schools

Calvo has three children, two of whom attended charter schools in Memphis and one at a public school. 

As a parent, he was happy his son Santiago had the choice to pursue education at a charter or stay at White Station High School.

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“My son came to me and said he wanted to stay at White Station and my daughter loved Crosstown High,” Calvo said. “I don’t think one size fits all, and I believe parents should also have choices when they make decisions about their education.

“I’m not pro-charter or against charter; I’m pro-good schools.”

If a charter school is not performing well, Calvo said more research, conversation and time needs to be devoted to find out why.

He also said charters and MSCS should work collaboratively to find out what is — and is not — working to benefit all Memphis students.

“At the end of the day, these children that are living in the district are our responsibility,” Calvo said. “It’s hard to keep someone accountable when you’re not also supporting them.”

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Literacy ‘is on my mind all the time’

Calvo said addressing student literacy is one of his top priorities as a new school board member.

“The literacy rate is something that is on my mind all the time,” Calvo said. “I think we need to look at the whole child. Just because someone is not reading at third grade doesn’t mean they’re a lost cause.”

Comparing the school board to a legislative body, Calvo said choices about how to directly improve student literacy are ultimately up to the superintendent. But if a strong board surrounds the superintendent, he or she will be challenged to enact measures that can improve literacy.

“We can set the tone; we can approve policies, budgets, ask questions and bring accountability,” Calvo said. “The board needs to build better relationships with other people in the county and state, but also with community partners to signal we need collaboration from other people outside the district.”

Cynthia Magallon, Latino Memphis COO and CFO, has known Calvo for more than 15 years.

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“I was 100% behind Mauricio’s decision to pursue the school board seat,” Magallon said. “This is a way for Latinos to keep going up the ladder and increase equity and representation in our community.”

Magallon said one of Calvo’s best qualities that will serve him well in his new role is his ability to listen and express compassion.

“He’s a dedicated father, a firm believer in the public school system and has had his children in the Memphis public school system all these years,” Magallon said. “He’s been so successful at Latino Memphis because he listens well and continually seeks the opinion of his staff and community members.”

MSCS board chair Althea Greene said the district remains committed to ensuring diversity, something Calvo’s appointment reflects.

“With a growing ESL population in our district, I’m so excited to have someone who can help with communication barriers and help me as a board member for District 2 to build a better relationship with the Hispanic community,” Greene said. 

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“Mr. Calvo is a valued addition to our school board as he is a pioneer, promoting cultural awareness while championing the Latino community in Memphis.”

Calvo said he wants MSCS students and families to know he is committed to positively impacting the district and being a resource for the community. 

“We’re developing human beings and it’s going to take all of us: the district, school system, students, parents and the community to step up to do this work,” Calvo said. “I have this year to hopefully make a difference and I’m eager and ready to engage with as many people as possible.”