The Blount County Board of Education on Jan. 9 approved an agreement releasing Director of Schools David Merle from his duties and named Jake Jones as interim director.

The board voted to place Merle on administrative leave with pay at the teacher rate, to assign him a teaching position at a future date "either in this school year or the next, depending on when an appropriate need and position arises," and to "recognize and not attempt to change his tenure status based on anything that has taken place up to the date of his resignation," according to a board summary read during the meeting.

The vote on the agreement passed with five yes votes and one abstention. Board member Erica Moore said she abstained. Following that vote, the board approved a separate motion to name Jake Jones interim director and to exempt him from a board policy provision that would otherwise bar an interim from being a candidate for the permanent director position; the roll call recorded seven yes votes for Jones.

Why it matters: The agreement and interim appointment change the district's leadership while the board searches for a new director. Several members of the public asked for more transparency about the process and the timing of the agreement.

Details of the agreement and public reaction
Members of the public raised concerns during the meeting about the timing and transparency of the release agreement. Chris Payne, who identified himself as a resident of District 4, said the language in the contract raised questions about whether the board was "relieving the employee for any events that have happened before the effective resignation date" and urged the board to "table this agenda item for discussion with counsel." Payne cited Tennessee Code Annotated 49-2-301(c) in his remarks, which he said makes it a misdemeanor for a director to take outside contracts for additional compensation.

Robbie Kirkland, also a resident of District 4, asked for a public timeline of the events that led to the resignation and for the board to release evaluations related to the personnel decision. Board members acknowledged that the agreement is posted online per open-records requirements and that counsel helped draft the document.

Board explanation and vote
A board member summarized the agreement on the record, stating Mr. Merle "will be placed on administrative leave with pay at the teacher level and his commensurate rate," and that the board would assign him a teaching position as openings arise. The board member added that the agreement was drafted with counsel and made public in accordance with board practice. The motion to approve the agreement received a roll-call vote: Greg Dillon (yes), John Lowe (yes), Chris Cass (yes), Bill Porter (yes), Joe Lindsey (yes), Erica Moore (abstain). The tally recorded five yes votes and one abstention; the motion passed.

The board then moved to name Jake Jones interim director and to allow him to be considered as a candidate for the permanent director position despite the board policy that typically prevents interim candidates from applying. Board members approved the interim appointment by roll call; the minutes recorded affirmative votes from Bill Porter, Brian King, Joe Lindsey, Ray Galmons, Erica Moore, Chris Pass and John Lowe.

What the board said about next steps
Following the vote, members asked Jones to take a seat at the table as interim director. Board members said the appointment is temporary while they begin a search for a permanent director. No timeline for the superintendent search was specified during the meeting.

Ending
The board did not release additional private details about the circumstances leading to the resignation during the public meeting. Several speakers requested more transparency, and at least one speaker asked the board to publish evaluation materials and a timeline for the process. The board and district staff said the agreement is available online and that the interim appointment will allow the district to continue daily operations while the search proceeds.