Memphis-Shelby County Schools needs stability, transparent leadership and a culture that promotes academic growth. Its new permanent superintendent outlines his plans to bring the district “from stability to continuity.”
This week, the school board voted unanimously to promote then-interim Superintendent Dr. Roderick Richmond, ending an era of constant leadership turnover.
Richmond is the district’s fourth leader in four years. Last year, he replaced Marie Feagins, whose superintendency only lasted nine months. Richmond says the community is ready for consistency.
“Serving in the interim taught me the importance of steady leadership, how important relationships are,” he says. “Those things are important when you’re trying to restore trust during periods of extremely turbulent transition.”
Now, he’s chasing the district’s north star: student achievement. Looking ahead to his first academic year as Memphis-Shelby County’s permanent leader, 2026-27’s success will be defined through “measurable academic growth.”