The Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education released Interim Superintendent Toni Williams’ evaluation results during its Business Meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023. The evaluation covers her performance for the 2022-23 school year. 

Williams received an overall weighted average performance score of 4.7 out of 5 (Completely Met Expectations). 

“As I reflect on our academic and operations teams' hard work and countless hours, it is clear that we have employees that give their all for MSCS students," said Williams. “While it is an honor to receive this score, I want to thank the MSCS family for working together to keep our District moving forward. We have a lot more work to do, and I remain focused on moving bolder, faster, and further.”

Each year, the Board's Education Evaluation Committee determines and reviews the measures for which the Superintendent is evaluated. Williams was named Interim Superintendent in August 2022. From 2019 to 2022, she has served as the District’s Chief Financial Officer. 

Several Board members shared their congratulations for Williams’ dedication to the role and her transparency. “Congratulations, you’ve done an outstanding job,” echoed Board Vice-Chair Joyce Dorse Coleman.

“The past year has brought unprecedented challenges, yet Superintendent Toni Williams has tirelessly worked to transform our school communities to stronger vessels,” said Board Chair Althea Greene. “Her role is difficult, and new demands arise daily, but I'm pleased with the progress made thus far.”

Evaluation categories include Student Achievement, Governance & Board Relations, Community Relations, Staff Relations, and Business & Finance. Her lowest weighted competency score was a 4.5 out of 5 in Staff Relations and Evaluation. Her highest weighted competency score was in the category of Business & Finance with a 4.9 out of 5 for her expertise shown in the area of fiscal accounting. In that category she also received strong marks for how she “demonstrates knowledge of school facilities and develops a process that strengthens support for buildings’ needs.”

Upon taking the helm as Interim Superintendent, Williams immediately worked to address issues that face MSCS, including a combination of the changing landscape of urban public schools, severely aged and underfunded infrastructure, and out-of-date operating procedures and systems.  

At the August 2023 Board meeting, Superintendent Williams announced that this week she added $5 million to the Facilities budget. The budget amendment earmarks additional funds to immediately address deferred maintenance specifically related to HVAC units and to secure external contractors to add support for our facilities crews.

Following her first year as Superintendent, she released a special letter to employees and families to reiterate her commitment to transparency. “I inherited more challenges than you could ever imagine – a District in distress,” she said. “It took more than one person to create the challenges, and it will take more than one school year to correct them. But I have not quit on our students or run from the challenges because I am a reformer.” 

Additionally, for the 2023-24 school year, Williams is convening a community Steering Committee to address opportunities related to academic programming, aging facilities, and deferred maintenance. The committee meetings begin in the fall.

To review the full report presented by DHM Consulting during the Board Business Meeting, click here.