Shelby County Commission OKs election realignment for school board, abridges terms of 5 members
The Shelby County Commission on Sept. 22 approved a resolution that would put all seats on the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board up for election in the spring.
The resolution approved by the Commission, in a 7-5 vote, plainly addresses a recently passed state law, sponsor Commissioner Michael Whaley said. Whaley said that if there is a lawsuit regarding the move, parties would have to sue the state and not the county.
"I am indifferent on when it takes effect, but what we have seen is that there's a fundamental disagreement...around whether staggered or aligning elections is good, " Whaley said.
Assistant Shelby County Attorney Megan Smith said, when questioned by multiple commissioners during the meeting, that the resolution would put all the school board seats up for reelection in 2026.
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/education/2025/09/22/memphis-shelby-county-schools-board-elections-changed/86238042007/