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Coffee County board names Scott Hargrove director of schools after 6-3 vote
Summary
After a brief failed effort to add extended interviews, the Coffee County Board of Education approved Scott Hargrove as director of schools in a 6-3 paper-ballot vote; the board said it will offer a contract with four annual stretch goals tied to bonuses.
The Coffee County Board of Education voted 6-3 to approve Scott Hargrove as the district's next director of schools after members cast paper ballots at a special called meeting.
The vote followed earlier debate over whether to add extended interviews with the three finalists to the agenda; that motion failed on a 7-2 vote. Board members then used paper ballots to record their choices. Board members who announced votes for Hargrove were Grama Jones, Beth Yinch, Gary Cordell, Thomas Ballard, Scott Hansert and Robert Gailey. Jennifer Peacock Hodge, Holly Matthews and Chris (last name not specified in the record) announced votes for Dr. Kathy Crabtree.
The decision capped a monthslong search and public comment period in which parents and residents urged the board to weigh credentials and community ties. During public comment, Jessica Lawton, who identified herself as a parent and Coffee County graduate, urged the board to examine each candidate’s credentials and expressed support for Dr. Kathy Crabtree based on her experience at Hickerson Elementary. Jennifer Peacock Hodge spoke as a citizen and parent and urged the board to consider Dr. Crabtree, calling her “an amazing leader” who knows “every child's name.”
Board members offered short statements explaining their votes. Board member Gilley said the district had “probably three of the most agile and capable applicants this system could have ever imagined.” Several members said their decisions were shaped by candidates’ prior experience: proponents of Hargrove cited his experience as an interim superintendent and his military service and described him as having the temperament to bring calm and continuity; supporters of Crabtree pointed to her school-level leadership, an individualized plan she presented and community ties.
The board chair said the next step is to prepare and offer a contract to Hargrove that will include four annual stretch goals tied to bonus payments. The board discussed but did not finalize those goals at the meeting. Members also confirmed that paper ballots bearing members’ names were used to collect the votes.
No statutory citations, ordinance numbers or other legal authorities were referenced during the recorded discussion or the vote tallying. The board indicated the contract and goals will return to a future meeting for action.
The meeting record shows robust public engagement on the finalist choices and several board members asking for additional interview opportunities before voting; the board declined to add extended interviews and proceeded to a final selection that will move to contract negotiations.
