MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Memphis-Shelby County Schools Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins has issued her response to the school board accusing her of misconduct. In December, the school board accused Dr. Feagins of the following infractions: Misleading the Board and public when she said the district had paid employees $1 million in overtime wages for time not worked Accepting a donation of more than $45,000 without board approval Being dishonest with the Board when she said federal grants were available for MSCS even though she “failed” to secure the funds before the required deadline On Monday evening, WREG obtained Dr. Feagins written response to those allegations as well as the school board's efforts to oust her from her position just months after being hired. Dr. Marie Feagins responseDownload "The commitment of five board members to prematurely end my contract without substantiatedcause is extremely disappointing. While the Board holds the authority to terminate me: I will notresign," Dr. Feagins said. "I am deeply disturbed by certain Board Members’ unwarranted attacks on my integrity, the egregious disregard for my invaluable professional training, licensures, education, and certifications, and the insulting indifference toward my extensive experience as an award-winning teacher, professional school counselor, assistant principal, principal, head coach, and central office administrator." Superintendent Feagins set to formally address misconduct accusations Dr. Feagins also claimed that the remarks made about her were untrue and were intended to cast doubt on her character. "Despite the falsehoods and defamatory public remarks intended to damage my character anddiminish public trust in me, I have upheld the highest standards of professionalism," Dr. Feagins said. "This includes navigating attempts by current and former Board members to remove me and create an intimidating work environment—actions of which you have been aware for months—while also tactfully addressing this resulting national embarrassment brought on our city and district." In the response, she also attacked the school board's claims that she was dishonest about MSCS funds. "To directly speak to the meritless claims, I have never, under any circumstances, intentionally orunintentionally misled a Board member or the Board as a whole," Dr. Feagins said. "Furthermore, I have not mismanaged District funds. The two transactions at issue adhered to the Tennessee Comptroller Internal Control and Compliance Manual, District Policy, Federal Law, and Tennessee State Law as written." Dr. Feagins claimed that she asked her lawyer to speak with the district's lawyer to better understand the policies that she "allegedly breached." However, she said she still hasn't received a response. New Frayser High School could be caught in MSCS crossfire "To date – without a vote of the Board – you declined to provide this information," Dr. Feagins said. "In the absence of such specificity, I stand by my public statements during the December 17, 2024, meeting and look forward to providing greater detail on January 14, 2025." Dr. Feagins pushed back against the allegations that she'd attempted to "intimidate" MSCS employees. "Although it is contradictory that I am the subject of a potential termination due to the mistakes and decisions made by staff members, the implication that I would engage in such behavior is unfounded and contrary to my professional record," Dr. Feagins said. "I have not intimidated or retaliated against any employee of Memphis-Shelby County Schools, or any person for that matter, nor will I tolerate retaliation or be intimidated." Dr. Feagins concluded by saying that despite the controversy, she was committed to serving the district and more importantly, the students. "I am proud and privileged to serve the Memphis-Shelby County Schools community. I urgereconsideration of this personally driven grievance and politically motivated action, as it does not serve the best interests of our District, children, or the broader community," Dr. Feagins said. "I remain committed to finishing the job I was hired to do a few months ago on a collaborative mission to position the District as a national model for bold education transformation."