MEMPHIS, Tenn. — As the Memphis-Shelby County Schools board considers terminating Superintendent Marie Feagins' contract, lawmakers in Nashville are watching. House Speaker Cameron Sexton says the state could get involved, even running the local school district, if Feagins is fired. "If the school system, or the school board, goes through with this, there are options that we have. There are nuclear options. We could come in and start running the schools ourselves," said Sexton (R-Crossville), during a stop in Memphis this week. "At some point, the state and the community has to say what is best for these students. We cannot accept, anymore, the lowest-performing school system in our state is in Shelby County. There's too many people, there's too many new jobs coming in, it's too important for our success.  And so, we may have to take drastic actions if they go through this route," he said. Superintendent Feagins to board: ‘I will not resign’ Sexton says he's met with Feagins and calls her "fiery." He also says he has a vision for how to turn schools around. Gov. Bill Lee said he thinks the Memphis school system needs someone in charge who will continue moving the district forward. 'It's discouraging to me to think that the status quo wants to remain the status quo, when we need a commitment for moving forward," Lee said. We need to move forward in every school district in this state, we don't need to be stagnant, we certainly don't need to go backwards. So, I'm hopeful that she will be given the opportunity to continue the work." Lt. Gov. Randy McNally said his wife actually taught in the Memphis school district before his career took them to Oak Ridge, and he knew there were problems in local schools even then. "I would hope that the city of Memphis and Shelby County can come together and really address the problems that exist," McNally said. A resolution by the school board to terminate Feagins has met with strong and vocal opposition from parents, teachers and many local leaders. The Shelby County Commission is considering a vote of no confidence against the MSCS board over the issue. The MSCS board is set to meet on the Feagins matter Jan. 14.