Matlock Reassigned at CHS, Nash to Serve as Principal

The Putnam County School System has assigned Dr. Linda Nash as the new principal at Cookeville High School.

A statement from PCSS indicates former principal Clif Matlock will remain at the school in an assistant principal role. The district thanked Matlock for his tenure as CHS principal but cited a lack of leadership experience for the change.

Superintendent Jerry Boyd said a leadership change was needed in order to move Cookeville High School in a direction of continuous growth.

“I certainly commend and appreciate Mr. Matlock’s commitment to Cookeville High School. I’ve noted that my main concern is his young experience in a role that’s so deep and large as the Cookeville High School Principal,” Boyd said. “I feel like more experience is needed to push Cookeville High School to a level that it needs to rise to.”

Boyd said Nash will serve as an interim principal until a full-time replacement is found.

“She is an experienced educator with 34-years in education,” Boyd said. “I feel like she can provide that focus during a transitional time, which are difficult times. She certainly can provide the support that teachers need and will be able to help the school transition to a point where we do hire a new principal and that person takes over.”

Nash is a retired Putnam County educator with 34 years of experience, 18 of which being a teacher at the high school. She also served six years as a district-level supervisor.

The statement indicates a nationwide search will begin later this school year with more information being discussed during the Feb. 7 school board meeting.

A new principal is expected to officially take over at the end of the current school year.