The Overton County School Board tabled the decision to extend the contract for Director of Schools Donnie Holman.
The contract included a four-year contract extension with an increase in compensation to $108,000. School Board Member Mitch Stonecipher said he was not comfortable with a four-year extension.
“We’ve had some major hiccups over the last twelve months,” Stonecipher said. “I don’t want to recant those, but I think it is common knowledge. I don’t think everybody is 100 percent happy with the total performance over the last 12 months or the last 24 months so I don’t want to extend a four-year contract.”
Chairman William Abston said the average term for the past four directors has been two years. Abston said if the board wants to see some better results, constantly changing directors is not the way to go.
“If we want lasting change and improvements we’re gonna have to get some continuity and leadership,” Abston said. “Because if you are continually changing your leadership you are starting back from scratch all the time.”
The board will consider looking into an extension that is less than four years. Stonecipher said lowering the number of years in the contract will be an incentive for Holman to try and establish some continuity throughout the school system.
Stonecipher said he believes the proposed compensation for Holman is appropriate.
“It’s the hardest job probably in the county based upon the feedback from the parents, and the students, and the teachers, and the board,” Stonecipher said. “The amount that he is getting that will be compensated I think is more than fair. You know, he compares to other counties and you consider the magnitude of what the director of schools gets I think the salary is active. I don’t have a problem with the salary and if anybody thinks that is too much money try doing the job yourself.”
The board will further discuss possible changes to the contract in a later work session.
