The Cumberland County School Board interviewed its two finalists for Director Of Schools Monday, in-house candidate Rebecca Farley and west Tennessee educator Randy Shannon.
Shannon serves as the Career and Technical Education director in the Benton County School System. He has also served as a middle school assistant principal. Shannon said he wants students to see the value of education.
“Somewhere along the way, we lost the path where people think education isn’t valuable anymore,” Shannon said. “And so, we’ve got to work to sell ourselves as a school system back to the community that we’re a valuable commodity, that it does mean something to have a high school education.”
Shannon said this can be accomplished by creating an engaging learning environment and a partnership with parents and families.
Farley said she is consistent, determined, industrious and goal oriented. Farley she feels she has proved that over the last two months as Interim Director of Schools.
“I feel like I was able to accomplish a small slice of this through the sense of calm and stability I brought,” Farley said. “Numerous employees have thanked me for less tension that was felt. Employees know that I have been here, and I will continue to be here.”
Farley said Cumberland County Schools met all of the state requirements last school year, and they were completed on time. Farley replaced Billy Stepp, whose contract was not renewed.
Shannon said he will not try to fix what is not broken, but he is open to new ideas if they might bring in success. Shannon said he wants to establish relationships with people in the district to cultivate trust.
“I like to break bread, let’s have a conversation,” Shannon said. “I believe we’re far more alike than we are different, and I believe sometimes problems come from misunderstandings of intent, and some problems come from misunderstandings of where you think something’s going, and usually we can talk it out.”
Farley said her biggest strength is building relationships.
“I was able to visit every school and talk to employees,” Farley said. “I was able to attend numerous extracurricular activities. Our students are doing wonderful things and it’s because of our amazing people. All of our amazing people”
The School Board will meet Thursday night.
