Marie Feagins files a new lawsuit against Memphis-Shelby County Schools while campaigning for Shelby County mayor

Dispute returns to court more than a year after superintendent’s contract termination

Former Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) Superintendent Marie Feagins has filed new legal claims against the school district and board leadership as she campaigns for Shelby County mayor, renewing a court fight that began after the board voted to end her employment early.

Feagins’ broader case centers on whether the MSCS Board of Education complied with Tennessee’s Open Meetings requirements during the months leading up to her termination vote. Her filings have also included additional claims tied to statements she says damaged her reputation and professional standing.

How the conflict began: termination resolution and alleged misconduct

The MSCS board’s termination resolution states Feagins’ employment contract was ended for alleged “professional misconduct” and “dishonesty,” citing three central areas: a public statement about overtime payments; acceptance and deposit of a donation exceeding $45,000 without board approval; and statements about the status of federal grant funds and whether deadlines were met. The resolution also cites alleged communication and cooperation issues with district partners and asserts her conduct was detrimental to the district and families it serves.

Feagins has disputed wrongdoing and has argued that the board’s actions were improperly coordinated outside public view.

Key procedural moment: judge declined to reinstate Feagins during litigation

In summer 2025, Feagins sought immediate court intervention to be placed back in the superintendent role while the lawsuit proceeded. A Shelby County Circuit Court judge denied a preliminary injunction, finding the record at that stage did not support the extraordinary step of reinstatement and that financial losses tied to termination could be addressed through money damages if Feagins ultimately prevailed.

The judge’s order did not decide the underlying merits of the Open Meetings allegations; it addressed whether temporary relief was warranted before a full evidentiary hearing.

What “suing again” can mean in practice

Feagins’ renewed legal action has unfolded through amended and updated pleadings rather than an entirely separate, unrelated controversy. The added claims have expanded the case beyond meeting-procedure allegations to include reputational harms Feagins attributes to statements made during the termination dispute.

• Open Meetings allegations: claims that a decision to terminate was coordinated privately before the public vote.
• Employment-related remedies: requests that can include declaratory relief, costs and attorney fees, and compliance orders aimed at future board conduct.
• Reputation-related claims: allegations tied to statements Feagins contends were false and damaging.

District leadership shifts as litigation continues

While the case has continued, MSCS moved forward with leadership changes. In February 2026, the board voted unanimously to appoint Roderick Richmond as permanent superintendent after he had served as interim superintendent following Feagins’ removal.

The lawsuit’s next phase is expected to focus on evidence about communications among board members and whether deliberations occurred outside properly noticed public meetings.

Feagins’ mayoral campaign adds political visibility to the ongoing court battle, but the central legal questions remain focused on board procedure, employment contract disputes, and the remedies available under Tennessee law.