Franklin County Schools Launch Director Search


by Leslie Lytle, Messenger Staff Writer

At the Nov. 21 special called meeting, the Franklin County School Board voted to engage the Tennessee School Board Association (TSBA) to conduct the search for a new director of schools and adopted a slate of qualifications and criterion for the position. Current Director of Schools Stanley Bean will not request renewal of his contract which ends June 30.

Board Chair Cleijo Walker recommended engaging the TSBA to conduct the director search. She stressed the demands of reaching a broad audience with a call for applicants and “weeding through” myriad documents. The TSBA offered three packages, Walker said. The board had used their services before. Package three included services the board could do itself. The board chose package two which includes recruiting candidates, responding to inquiries, scheduling interviews, providing a guide for interviews and sample questions, and assisting with developing and negotiation of the contract.

The board drafted the following job description: “The Franklin County Board of Education is seeking a visionary leader that is highly qualified and has significant experience in education as its next director of schools. The person selected will assume the role July 1, 2023. Minimum qualifications are a master’s degree with preference for a doctoral degree and a professional educators license; three-years experience in successful school administration preferred.”

Turning to qualification specifics, the board used a Knox County director search for a template, with several additions and modifications. The board emphasized the importance of the applicant having a sound knowledge of instruction, curriculum, and educational programs that meet the needs of a diverse student body; being a good listener; speaking and writing effectively and communicating the districts needs; ability to work with the county commission; the ability to budget and manage fiscal affairs; and skill in developing long-range goals and strategies.

Board Vice-Chair Lance Williams observed, “The chance of someone having all the qualifications is very slim.” Walker noted this might be especially true in the case of budgeting. Board member Sarah Marhevsky concurred, that unless a person had previously served as a director of school, they would likely lack budgeting experience.

Board member Sandy Schultz insisted it was important “to look at the person,” not just their qualifications.

Marhevsky suggested further emphasizing the importance of an applicant having experience with “diverse” populations and welcoming “diversity.” Williams pointed out several of the qualification points mentioned “diversity.”

The deadline for applications is Feb. 15, 2023.

The board welcomed new board member Erik Cole, appointed to fill the seat of Chris Guess who stepped down to serve as county mayor. Cole has worked at Nissan for 20 years, originally in engineering and now in management. He and his wife have five children and three foster children and co-serve as Director of Children’s Ministries at First Baptist Church. Cole also coaches boys’ and girls’ basketball at Cowan Elementary School.

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