The Early Word: MSCS job cuts carry on, and so does Wanda Halbert
Happy Juneteenth! It’s Wednesday, June 19, and today marks 159 years since the last enslaved Americans in Galveston, Texas, learned they were free. That was two years after President Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation.
Since the federal holiday falls on hump day this year, most of Memphis’ Juneteenth celebrations were held last weekend. But the National Civil Rights Museum is hosting a community day today with free admission, music and more. You can learn more about the holiday’s history and ways to celebrate here. Some city services will be halted, and some government offices will be closed; we’ve got a rundown.
Fittingly, Memphis pastor LaSimba Gray’s new book, “Out of Bounds,” about golf’s role in Memphis’ desegregation, will be released today.
Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Marie Feagins admitted on Tuesday that she could have done a better job communicating with hundreds of MSCS employees about layoffs. But she defended her decision to cut about 650 jobs and 450 vacant positions. MSCS employees were emailed on June 10 about the job cuts, which led to an uproar by the district’s HR chief and a move by the Board of Education to quickly halt any further layoffs. Some employees have been offered new positions, though titles and salaries will likely change. Feagins is trying to move administrative employees back into the classroom to address a teacher shortage.
Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson dismissed the lawsuit on Tuesday that attempts to oust Wanda Halbert as Shelby County Clerk. Halbert would have been due in court for a full ouster trial in August after Hamilton County District Attorney General Coty Wamp filed a suit claiming Halbert “willfully neglected” to perform her duties. Both Halbert and Wamp held dueling press conferences — at the same time Tuesday — after the dismissal. Halbert didn’t say much, but her attorney said the state’s removal statute doesn’t allow a DA from another county to request the ouster. Wamp said she was “disappointed” and hoped local county officials would re-file. She also called Halbert the “worst county clerk in the state.”
Plus, J-Tim gets a DWI, Spike Lee is getting a Freedom Award and Johnathan Lawson hints at a comeback.
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Bianca Phillips
Bianca Phillips is a Northeast Arkansas native and longtime Memphian who’s worked in local journalism and PR for more than 20 years. In her days as a reporter, she covered everything from local government and crime to LGBTQ issues and the arts. She’s the author of “Cookin Crunk: Eatin’ Vegan in the Dirty South,” a cookbook of vegan Southern recipes.
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