Blount County School Board appoints Dr. T. Taylor interim director

The Blount County School Board voted 6-0 to appoint Dr. T. Taylor as interim director of Blount County Schools after a ballot and subsequent roll-call vote during the meeting.

Board members said both candidates under consideration were well regarded and that the interim will maintain the district's operations until a permanent director is hired.

The board opened discussion on the agenda item "discussion and possible action regarding interim director of Blount County Schools," then held a ballot among members. Ms. Dany, a member of board staff, collected and read the ballots aloud. The board then moved to approve calling Dr. T. Taylor as interim director and proceeded to a roll-call vote. Erica Moore, school board member, voted yes; Chris Pass, school board member, voted yes; John Lowe, school board member, voted yes; Phil Porter, school board member, voted yes; Brian King, school board member, voted yes; and Joe Lindsey, school board member, voted yes. The chair announced, "Motion passes." The board recorded the motion as approved.

During discussion before the vote several board members offered praise for both candidates and said either would be able to "maintain the course until we have a new director," according to remarks recorded in the meeting transcript. No formal dissent or amendment to the appointment motion was recorded.

After the vote the board moved to adjourn. Officials thanked both candidates for being willing to serve.

Details about the interim director's contract terms, start date, salary or the timeline for hiring a permanent director were not specified in the meeting record.