Fighting to Stay in Shelby County Schools

Memphis, Tn - Timire Raiford is an 11th grade student at Southwind High School in Shelby County. She used to live in a neighborhood off Forest Hill Irene, allowing her to attend Shelby County Schools.

Last November, the family moved out of their house and into a neighborhood across Walnut Grove, placing her in the Memphis City School zone.

“If I have to change schools just because of my address, I don’t think that’s fair,” says Raiford.

Raiford’s mother Latonya says she filed a stay with the school system, but was denied. “I’ve did everything in my right to keep my daughter in a County School District,” she laments. “No one cares…no one cares.”

Shelby County Schools are telling the Raiford family that Timire has to leave the school she’s worked so hard to succeed in.

Latonya is afraid that her daughter’s credits won’t transfer into MCS and she won’t be able graduate early.

According to Shelby County School’s rules and regulations, if you are not a resident of the Shelby County District, students will not be able to attend county schools.

Despite the transfer request being rejected by the school system, there is an appeal that can be made to the Superintendent’s Office.

But, Raiford disagrees with the process, saying Timire’s hard work with Shelby County Schools should allow her to stay in her High School.

Check back with Fox 13 and MyFoxMemphis.com to see if Raiford’s request to the Superintendent falls on deaf ears.