Shelby County Mayor Mark Luttrell has picked his five choices for the schools consolidation planning commission: two higher-education officials, a corporate attorney, an Episcopal priest heading BRIDGES USA and an elementary school principal.
Luttrell announced his choices Thursday, Sept. 1.
John Smarrelli Jr. is president of Christian Brothers University.
Barbara Roseborough is associate vice president of academic affairs for Southwest Tennessee Community College.
Christine P. Richards is general counsel for FedEx Corp.
Jim Boyd is president of BRIDGES USA and an ordained Episcopal priest.
Louis Padgett III is Northaven Elementary School principal. He has been with Northaven for seven years and the county schools system for 24 years.
“These people have unique abilities and share the common commitment to put the interests of schoolchildren first,” Luttrell said in a written statement. “They represent an excellent cross-section of our community.”
Although the state law establishing the planning commission does not require it, Luttrell will submit his choices to the Shelby County Commission at Wednesday, Sept. 7, committee sessions next week.
Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam indicated during a two-day visit to Memphis this week that he would make his choice for the planning commission this week.
Shelby County Schools board members are expected to discuss choices for the planning commission at a special meeting Thursday, Sept. 8.
Memphis City Schools board members last month picked former MCS board member Barbara Prescott, former SCS board member Fred Johnson, Kenya Bradshaw of Stand for Children, University of Memphis Law School professor Daniel Kiel and University of Memphis professor Reginald Green.