Cumberland County school board votes to begin director search, will consult TSBA

The Cumberland County Board of Education voted to start the search for a new director of schools and to consult the Tennessee School Boards Association as part of a blended approach using district resources.

Board members approved an amendment to a motion to begin the search that added TSBA consultation and use of internal resources; the amendment passed in a roll-call vote with the board member recorded as absent. After the amendment passed, the original motion was withdrawn.

The vote follows a public comment from Craig Clark, a Cumberland County resident, who urged the board to renew the contract of Mr. Stepp and questioned the value of a broad external search. "Prudence would dictate that you save the money, time, and effort of conducting a search for a mythical DOS and explore Mr. Stepp's willingness to reenter into a contract," Clark said during the public‑comment period.

Board members debated whether to rely primarily on in‑house staff or to engage TSBA. Several members said TSBA can offer a no‑cost initial consultation included in the district's membership, and noted TSBA provides tiered plans for advertising and search services. One board member described a blended approach — using district HR and past search materials while consulting TSBA — as a way to proceed quickly without excluding outside expertise.

Some members raised concerns about potential conflicts of interest if district staff employed by the current director were asked to run the search. One member said the board would need to avoid asking staff to perform tasks that could appear to be the director recruiting their own replacement; that member suggested appointing an interim director if the work were to be carried out internally.

Board members discussed cost options for TSBA services, including an optional $1,500 add‑on that TSBA offers to support a new superintendent's first‑year evaluation and performance‑agreement development. The board did not commit to any paid TSBA plan at the meeting; members agreed to invite TSBA for the free consultation and coordinate further details in upcoming work sessions.

The board also directed staff to prepare materials and consider a posting process that could run alongside TSBA outreach, but members said several elements would need to be finalized — including job description details, salary and contract terms, and whether to post immediately.

Action on the amendment and the subsequent withdrawal of the original motion concluded the item; board members instructed staff to schedule TSBA consultation and to continue developing search materials for discussion at follow-up sessions.

Votes at a glance: the amendment to involve TSBA and use district resources passed on a roll call with one member absent; the original motion was withdrawn after the amendment passed.

Ending: Board members asked staff to send existing interview materials and past search notes to board members ahead of the planned work session with TSBA so the committee can finalize criteria and timelines after the consultation.