The Overton County School Board began the search for a new Director Of Schools during a special-called meeting Thursday.
The search comes after the board failed to approve a two-year contract with Director of Schools Donnie Holman earlier this month. The board agreed to change a contract clause to automatically enter a probation period if testing scores drop below a certain level. Board Member Ben Danner said having an automatic probationary period rather than approval from the board will make the board more accountable.
“School scores did drop in the last four years, and the board didn’t do anything, that’s my whole point,” Danner said. “You know, if it’s automatic, at least the board knows about whatever is happening and to work on trying to bring those up.”
School Board Chairman William Abston said the board will take applications for one month. Abston said that after the application process has closed, the board will schedule a work session to review applications to narrow down a list of applicants and then conduct interviews.
The board considered a contract range of two to four years for the next director’s contract. The board verbally agreed on a three-year contract. Board Member Mitch Stonecipher said he would not approve any contract longer than three years. Board Member Shirley Myers said two years is not long enough.
“It takes you two good full years to really get a handle on a new job that’s a big job, and then we are saying, well, tough,” Myers said.
The board discussed the starting salary for the next director. The current starting salary is an estimated $95,000. Board Member Mitch Stoencihper suggested a five percent increase on the $95,000.
“At least do a five percent increase from that, which would make it $100,687,” Stonecipher said. “That gets you into the triple digits, and that’s more palatable, looks better than something in the double digits.”
Board Member Mike Hayes said the average school director’s starting salary in the Upper Cumberland is an estimated $120,000 and that there is no way the school system could afford that amount.
