News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Overton County School Board voted unanimously Tuesday to sign Donnie Holman to a four-year contract as the system’s director of schools.
School Board Chair Jarman Hicks said Holman’s performance as interim director since January made him the right person to fill the job.
“When Donnie came in as interim, he came in ready to lead,” Hicks said. “He wanted to do the best job that he could, and it has shown. Through our planning session, the majority of the board thought Dr. Holman was doing a good job.”
Hicks said the contract includes a some $95,000 salary as well as performance evaluations based on the school’s strategic plan and student performances. Holman said he accepted the contract and looks forward to continue work as director.
“The main thing is that I am just really honored that the board had enough faith in me that they wanted me to continue on with our efforts,” Holman said. “I am also really happy with the progress that we have made so far. I think we are on the right path, and I want to do all that I can to continue us in the right direction.”
Holman said he never anticipated becoming the school director, but now that the job is his, it is time to focus on what matters the most, the students.
“The first job of any educator at whatever level it may be, pre-k, senior, college, the first thing we need to do is ensure the safety of our students,” Holman said. “And then, have a good academic program that teaches what is required and teach what is necessary, and then, with the ending result being that we have our students ready for the future.”
Holman said moving forward, he wants parents and students to know that he is not only working for the students, but also for the community as a whole.
“In every decision that I make and have anything to do with, I want the people of Overton County to know that I am putting their students first,” Holman said. “I want nothing, but our students to be successful and do well. I want our county to be successful and do well, and I want our county to shine and in order for our county to shine, everyone in it most shine.”
Before being appointed as interim director, Holman served as the principal for Rickman Elementary School and was a former secondary social studies teacher.
