Memphis-Shelby County Schools released a letter Thursday from interim superintendent Toni Williams that includes the results of what it called a “critical needs assessment.”

That assessment includes changes to the district’s business operations, among other things.

The Daily Memphian previously reported that Genard Phillips, the district’s chief of business operations, is leaving in December. Julius Muse of CBRE will replace him. The district will bring in two outside consultants to aid in the transition process.

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In the release sent out Thursday, Williams announced more changes to Phillip’s division, including that procurement staff will now report to the finance division instead of business operations.

Even though she is serving as interim superintendent, Williams has continued as the district’s CFO.

A benefit of the move will be “facilitating a healthy division within the district to help avoid conflicts of interest” as well as improving the enforcement of policies and procedures, according to the MSCS release.

MSCS also has engaged an independent audit firm to review current procurement processes.

Williams said that the changes were in an effort to model ethical leadership for the district’s students and increase trust with the district through accountability and efficient structures.

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“We must make the changes necessary to provide the best possible education for students,” she said.

Although many of the changes relate to operations, she said that a comprehensive review of academics is underway.

Other results of the needs assessment that Williams mentioned in her letter:

Better pay for teachers

Williams highlighted the district’s efforts to better compensate teachers while committing to continue doing it. 

She said that the district will continue to review its salary schedules to make sure that teachers are adequately compensated based on years of experience and if they hold graduate degrees.

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She also noted that this month, the district gave retention bonuses to teachers and some other staff as well as comparable raises to other eligible employees.

“From day one as superintendent, I have been vocal about my commitment to review and improve teacher compensation. I have not wavered from that and plans to move swiftly are underway,” she said.

Better building upkeep

Williams said that principals have asked the district to address landscaping and maintenance needs at their schools. She said that she has sent letters to the district’s vendors to remind them of MSCS policies and expectations of their work in these areas. She asserted that now that she has done so, conditions will improve in the coming months.

School renovations and construction

Williams also suggested a renewed focus on the district’s deferred maintenance issues. She said that despite recent HVAC upgrades and classroom expansions made possible through federal stimulus funding, they haven’t eliminated the district’s $500 million in deferred maintenance.

The district approved over $4 million in HVAC upgrades for four schools at its last meeting and approved six classroom additions with ESSER funds last year.

She said that a review of the district’s Reimagining 901 plan as well as school building plans and academic programming is underway.

“We are dedicated to this issue because we know how important it is for our families, staff and students to walk into our schools with a boosted sense of pride,” she said in the release.