News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Warren County School Board voted Monday night to approve Grant Swallows’ contract as the new director of schools.
The board voted 5-1 to approve a four-year contract for Swallows with an annual salary of $115,000. Swallows will have one year to move to Warren County. He currently serves as principal at White County High School. He will replace Bobby Cox who will retire next month after 29 years with the system.
“Bobby has set the bar extremely high,” Swallows said. “I do appreciate you all and your confidence.”
Cox called Swallows “a good educator” whose reputation preceded him. Swallows’ family stayed in the parking lot during the school board meeting to support him during the board’s approval of the contract. Cox apologized for putting the board in a tough spot to fill his spot during COVID-19.
“Transition in normal circumstances is tough, but in our current circumstances it’s even tougher,” Swallows said.
School Board Vice Chairman James Bennett proposed reducing the contract to $110,000 and a three-year tenure.
“Due to our new normal of COVID-19, the fact that Mr. Swallows has three children, we don’t know what the housing market is going to look like, we felt that 12 months was ample time to move his family,” School Board Chair Tanya Bess said.
School Board Member Bill Zechman said he originally wanted the contract to be just a one-year agreement. He said he entered the process concerned about the impact of COVID-19 on the search process as well as the candidate pool.
“This is a big career step,” Zechman said. “It’s a big life change for whoever takes the job. I willingly backed up on that. I see the error of my ways.”
No one seconded Bennett’s motion and it failed. Bennett voted against the proposed contract.
Cox said he and Swallows will spend Wednesday-Friday together working on the transition. Swallows will meet with staffers beginning next week. Swallows will officially take over May 22nd, but Cox will conduct the system’s graduation ceremony.
