Three candidates have applied for the Van Buren County School’s new director of schools.
School Board Chairman Tim Hodges said the three candidates are qualified for the position and the board will interview the candidates on March 12. Meantime, Hodges said the school board has approved a contract with former Director of Schools Cheryl Cope to assist with the transition.
“It’s a 30-day deal but only when she is needed,” Hodges said. “So it will actually be an hourly pay for the interim director or the newly hired director that we bring in if they have any questions or need any help with the budget. That way they would have somebody to call and check with.”
Former Director of Schools Jared Copeland left the school system in early February. Van Buren County High School Principal Katina Simmons currently serving as the interim director. Hodges said though the board has an interim director the board still wants to hire a new director fairly soon.
“We are in no big rush but we would like to get one in place so they can go ahead and get through this budget coming up,” Hodges said.
Hodges said budgeting will be one of the topics discussed during the interviews. Hodges said the entire school board will be involved in the interview process.
“I like to involve the whole board so the whole board will be there and the whole board can ask questions, the board only,” Hodges said. “And we will interview one at a time and will have the others wait out in the hallway till their interview is over.”
Hodges said the board will further discuss candidates at the monthly school board meeting that will take place on March 19 at 5:30pm.
