News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Cumberland County Board of Education decided Thursday night to begin the interview process to select a new Director of Schools.
Board Member Jim Inman said despite concerns over a change of leadership during the COVID-19 crisis, now is the time to make a decision.
“I believe we have good candidates to choose from,” Inman said. “I believe we need to go forward with our process. I believe we need to go ahead and set up our interviews the first week of May.”
Before the board decided to move forward with interviews, it rejected a proposal by Board Member Robert Safdie to offer current director Janet Graham a one-year contract renewal to continue leading the district.
“This August is going to require a lot of organization and a lot of leadership,” Safdie said. “I have no doubt the Director of Schools is doing that job right now.”
Safdie’s motion failed 6 to 3.
Discussion then turned to setting a date to begin the interview phase, with the board screening local candidates first.
“I think we just need to, if the state is open May 1, we need to book them, get the interviews going, and get it going,” Board Member Stace Karge said.
The board voted 8-0 to begin holding interviews either May 4 or 5. Safdie abstained from voting for the measure.
The Cumberland County Board of Education will next meet in a work session and special called meeting on April 30 at 5 p.m.
