Blount County schools accept director's resignation, approve release agreement and name interim director

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 matte…