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Coffee County school board debates reopening search, second-round interviews before 5 p.m. vote
Summary
Board members in a work session discussed concerns about the hiring process for the director of schools, including a TSBA search fee, the number of candidates provided, requests for a second interview round or reopening the application, and a plan to vote at a special-called meeting at 5 p.m.
The Coffee County School Board used a pre-meeting work session to discuss the process for selecting a new director of schools and options for next steps ahead of a special-called meeting scheduled for 5 p.m., when the board expects to vote on a candidate.
Board members said the choice will affect the county’s students and staff and debated whether the district should reopen the application window or hold a brief, unscripted second round of interviews. The discussion centered on process and fairness rather than on advancing a single candidate.
Members said the district contracted the Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) to assist with the search and paid a fee of $16,500. Board members said TSBA had advertised the search, produced an applicant pool of about 17 people, but initially provided two finalists for local review; one finalist later withdrew. Board members described that sequence as leaving the board with effectively three candidates for interview last week: Dr. Cornelius, Dr. Crabtree and Mr. Hargrove.
Several board members argued a second round of interviews or a short candidate Q&A would reveal how finalists respond under pressure and give members more information before making a hire. Other members urged completion of the process, saying the three finalists were qualified and that reopening the search would delay hiring and risk disrupting the agreed timeline. One board member asked whether a second round would fit the current schedule; another noted that the TSBA timetable called for issuing a contract next week and having a new director in place by June 1, while Dr. Powell will continue serving through the end of June.
The board discussed voting methods for the special-called meeting. Members described an option to vote by paper ballot: each member would write a single choice on a ballot, deposit it in a collection container, and district staff (Melissa) would read each member’s name and selection aloud. Board members noted the paper-ballot process would not make votes secret because names and votes would be announced; they said the method can reduce motion-and-nomination rounds and may accelerate reaching the five votes needed for selection.
Board members acknowledged substantial community input: they described receiving numerous emails for each finalist and said the response showed public interest in the hire. No formal motion or vote took place during the work session. The board agreed to recess, return for the special-called meeting at 5 p.m., and proceed with either a vote or any motion the full board chooses at that time.
