Memphis school leaders say being called ‘dumbasses’ by a legislator is a symptom of bigger problem

Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, attends a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee during a special session of the state legislature on Jan. 28, 2025, in Nashville. District officials and community advocates sharply criticized Taylor over recent comments they called offensive and misleading in the ongoing debate over who should control Memphis Shelby County Schools. (AP Photo/George Walker IV) Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, attends a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee during a special session of the state legislature on Jan. 28, 2025, in Nashville. District officials and community advocates sharply criticized Taylor over recent comments they called offensive and misleading in the ongoing debate over who should control Memphis Shelby County Schools. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

By Bri Hatch July 24, 2025 6 min read

This story was originally published by Chalkbeat. Sign up for their newsletters at ckbe.at/newsletters

Memphis education leaders are pushing back on what they call misleading and offensive language from lawmakers leading the charge to turn over control of the school district to the state.

Rep. Mark White and Sen. Brent Taylor, both Republicans from Memphis, told WKNO/Channel 10 earlier this month that in January they will bring back their bills to create a state-appointed board to lead Memphis Shelby County schools. In the interview, Taylor called the current school board members “dumbasses.”

“The school board ranks right up there with jock itch, in terms of what people think about them,” he said.

The district declined to comment, and Taylor did not respond to Chalkbeat’s requests for comment. But a school board member and local advocates condemned Taylor’s language.