Memphis City Schools Beat Blog

Yvonne Brandon and Nicholas Gledich shared a commonality in their interviews before the Memphis Board of Education: sparse audience.

Both interviewed at 1:30 p.m., when most people were at work. That meant the audience of at their interviews for the top schools job was dominated by media representatives and curious members of the superintendent's cabinet. The few other audience members included a former board member, a retired education professor and representatives of the Memphis Education Association.

Rita Cooper, the district's chief communications executive, had cautioned board members during a previous meeting against holding interviews in mid-afternoon because of concerns teachers, parents and other community members would feel disenfranchised.

Perhaps in response to this concern, board members have scheduled the June 5 question and answer sessions with the two superintendent finalists to take place at night .