Blount County board adopts TSBA search criteria and approves interim director contract with amendment allowing her to apply for permanent post

The Blount County Board of Education on a voice and roll-call vote adopted superintendent search criteria presented by the Tennessee School Boards Association and approved an interim director contract for Dr. Keith Taylor, with an amendment allowing her to apply for the permanent director position.

The board adopted the criteria after a brief motion to discuss the TSBA materials that were presented in a workshop earlier the same day. The board then considered and passed an amendment to the interim-contract motion to “afford Mrs. [Dr.] Keith Taylor the opportunity to apply” for the permanent director post; the amended motion passed by roll call. The board subsequently approved the interim contract, with roll-call votes recorded in favor.

Why it matters: the TSBA criteria will guide the formal search for a permanent director and the interim contract defines who will lead the district while that process proceeds. Multiple public commenters at the meeting urged transparency in the search and said teachers want a director with district experience and a service-oriented approach.

Background and details: Amanda Lawhorn, a teacher at Heritage High School, used the public-comment period to urge the board to release TSBA materials and survey results to the public rather than require open-records requests. Lawhorn said teachers “are worried and fearful” and listed attributes educators want in the next director, including experience as a teacher and administrator, humility, integrity and “a service heart.” Lindy Hall, another public commenter, criticized board leadership and called for greater transparency about why recent directors have left.

Board discussion during the agenda item was procedural and brief. Board legal counsel reviewed the interim contract prior to the vote; the chair said the contract had been reviewed by the board’s attorney, Mr. Goddard, and by district leadership. The board voted to amend the motion to allow Dr. Keith Taylor to apply for the permanent job; the roll-call vote on that amendment was recorded as favorable. The board then approved the contract itself; the contract takes effect March 6, according to discussion during the meeting.

What was not decided: the board did not announce a timeline or additional public-release schedule for the full superintendent search beyond adopting the TSBA criteria. Several public speakers asked the board to publish TSBA survey materials and meeting summaries; the board did not commit to a specific release date during the meeting.

Looking ahead: the TSBA-guided search will proceed under the adopted criteria while Dr. Taylor serves as interim director. Members of the public asked the board to prioritize communication with staff and community as the district moves through the transition.