How much is MSCS paying Carter Malone Group for public relations?
by: Jessica Gertler
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Memphis Shelby County Schools board has hired an agency to help them with public relations, and many of you have been asking what it’s costing taxpayers.
WREG Investigators submitted an open records request on January 14 for the contract with the public relations firm, the Carter Malone Group.
The district told us due to the high volume of requests, they expect the request to be completed by February 28.
“They are working on other things. Not just the superintendent,” said MSCS Board Chair Joyce Dorse-Coleman at a press conference introducing the new interim superintendent.
She didn’t elaborate and wasn’t sure what the bill was so far.
Someone connected with MSCS gave WREG Investigators a copy of the contract with the CMG. It states the firm will “serve as a public relations agency” for the board.
The president of the firm, Diedre Malone, told us they were asked to help with media platforms, monthly newsletter blasts and more.
She told us her firm had a contract with the MSCS board before to help with communications, but that contract ended this summer. She said now-former Superintendent Dr. Marie Feagins said the district’s internal communications could handle the task.
Malone said due to turnover within the district offices, the board’s general counsel reached out to her firm again, and she signed a new contract in November.
That contract was not discussed or voted on publicly, because the CMG’s work should “not exceed $70,000.” Policy states board approval is only necessary for professional service contracts above $75,000.
The contract says the board will get “invoiced monthly based on the work required on the account that month.” It’s unclear what the invoices have totaled so far.
The board has hired PR firms in the past including KQ Communications to help “coordinate media relations and promotion” during the last superintendent search.
Malone has agreed to an interview with WREG Investigators Thursday. WREG will have more on what she says in the evening newscasts and online.
WREG Investigators are also working on your questions surrounding the law firm hired by the board and who’s paying for all of the attorney fees.
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