The Overton County Board of Education voted to post the Director of Schools position and finalized key terms for recruitment and a proposed contract, the board said during a work session and the subsequent board meeting.

Board members agreed the vacancy will be posted publicly beginning May 28 and remain open for 30 days, with the application period ending June 25. The board also set a recruitment timeline that anticipates initial screening and reference checks in June and candidate interviews and a final hiring vote in mid-July (week of July 14–18) or at a specially called meeting later in July, depending on how the process moves.

The job description and qualifications that will be posted reflect the board policies reviewed at the work session (Policy 5.8 and related policies 5.801 and 5.802). Those policies describe the director as the chief executive officer of the school system; require a professional educator license and a master’s degree (with preference for a doctorate); and list a minimum of three years of successful school-administration experience and broad management responsibilities across instruction, finance and facilities.

On contract length and performance terms, the board coalesced around a three-year term. The board also agreed that a probationary clause will be automatic at the end of the second year unless the board elects to waive it for unusual circumstances. Board members discussed making probation automatic so that performance issues — including declining school scores — would be documented and trigger board review; they also noted the board retains authority to take action after any probationary designation.

The board set a minimum starting salary of $100,006.87 and agreed to a 3% annual increase over the length of the contract (producing approximate second- and third-year salary levels of roughly $103,007 and $106,008). Members discussed the district’s current director salary (cited in the meeting as about $95,008.93) and regional comparators from Tennessee School Boards Association (TSBA) data when reaching consensus on the starting figure and the yearly adjustment formula.

The board also discussed interim coverage if the search extends past the end of the current director’s contract period. Board members agreed an interim director should be appointed if necessary and that an interim appointee may apply for the permanent position if the board permits it. The board directed staff to contact TSBA to determine whether the association will post the position and, if so, whether TSBA will verify applicants’ credentials and perform reference checks — an option discussed in two levels: a posting-only service (cited at about $3,000) and a full-service option including credentials and reference checks (cited at about $7,500).

Votes at a glance
- Motion to post the Overton County Director of Schools position (moved by Ben Danner; seconded by Ashley Card): motion carried. The board instructed staff to proceed with posting the job as described. Vote tally not recorded in the transcript beyond the voice vote (ayes reported and motion declared carried).
- Motion to amend/adjust the agenda (mover recorded in the meeting transcript as Mitch StoneSoft; seconded by Melissa Savage): motion carried by voice vote as recorded in the minutes.

Next steps noted by the board include finalizing the public posting materials (salary, term and job description), confirming whether TSBA will perform credential checks and reference calls, and circulating an updated timeline and posting text to board members before the posting goes live.

Background: The policy language reviewed at the work session (Policy 5.8; 5.801; 5.802) assigns the director responsibility for carrying out board policy, supervising administrative and supervisory staff, preparing budgets for board approval, ensuring compliance with applicable Tennessee education laws and State Board of Education rules, and recommending policy changes. The board also reviewed procedural steps for advertising, narrowing candidates, scheduling interviews and making the final appointment, and discussed options for stakeholder involvement in interviews.