A recent Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce resolution critical of the Montgomery County Board of Education (MCBOE) was a "disgrace," according to MCBOE member Dr. Lesa Keith.
On Thursday, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and some city and county elected officials asked the MCBOE to consider bringing back outgoing Montgomery Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown.
Members of the MCBOE voted by a 4-3 margin last week to accept Brown's resignation.
Brown has been superintendent since April 2022. His resignation is effective November 1. A special MCBOE meeting is scheduled for Thursday night.
The chamber's board passed a resolution Thursday morning stating, "There is no evidence that the four members of the board of education responsible for this crisis of leadership have a plan nor have they demonstrated they're open for collaboration with other community leaders to find a way forward."
The chamber's resolution also called on Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey, the Department of Education, and the State Board of Education "to place MPS under state control and intervention until such time the local board demonstrates that a majority of leadership will make the needed changes to move Montgomery forward in a true spirit of partnership." The state released MPS from intervention in 2021.
Keith, one of the four MCBOE members who accepted Brown's resignation, told 1819 News on Friday she wanted MPS to move forward with a "superintendent who has every desire to stay here."
"I've seen two women represent the Chamber of Commerce. I know neither, but see this as adult bullying and 'tit for tat 'and unfortunately I, myself have handled some things the wrong way as I have a tendency to show my anger when passionate. It's time people stop pointing fingers and commit to positive change," Keith said. "Some of those few politicians that stood with the chamber were asked to stand up there only because they were elected officials and knew nothing about some resolution that was a complete surprise and disgrace to some standing there. I know because I was shocked as some of those standing shared this with me. The sad thing is these constant press conferences of constant pressure that the public sees is backfiring because the people of Montgomery are smarter than obviously those leading the pressure think! It's not about being right anymore for me, it's about being effective. It's time to unite, stop looking in the rear view mirror and move forward with a superintendent who has every desire to stay here!"
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email caleb.taylor@1819News.com.
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