MSCS contract with Peer Power on track, despite police call, board member says

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The board chair for Memphis public schools says she thinks a contract with Peer Power will be approved, after Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins filed a police report against one of the nonprofit’s board members.

Peer Power, a mentor and tutoring group, has a 20-year relationship with the district and right now, their contract is waiting to be approved.

Feagins is accusing Dow McVean, a board member for Peer Power Foundation , a group that works with the district, of intimidation.

According to a police report, Feagins was leaving a meeting in East Memphis on Aug. 8 when she was approached by McVean.

In the report, Feagins says McVean started venting to her about the contract before allegedly approaching her in an “angry manner.” That’s when two witnesses shielded Dr. Feagins, as she was “in fear.”

We reached out to Peer Power and spoke to their CEO Cortney Richardson.

He did not want to talk on-camera, but WREG spoke to him in 2021 about the program.

“The education gap is wide. Students in public schools do not get the same level of education as students in private schools,” Richardson said about the program in 2021.

Richardson says he is aware of the confrontation between Feagins and McVean but has never heard of any other incidents like this.

He also says the $1.3 million contract is on track to be approved for their continued parternship this school year.

In a statement to WREG, Memphis-Shelby County Schools board chair Althea Greene agreed, saying Peer Power has been a good partner.

“If we are serious about moving the needle in academics, we need tutors to continue to work with our students. Peer Power has been a valued partner in working with our students. This service is needed. I expect the board to review the contract and approve it,” she said.

As for the intimidation claims, McVean has not been charged with anything. Neither McVean nor MSCS has responded to multiple requests from WREG for statements.

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