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Blount County board names five finalists for superintendent search, schedules public interviews
Summary
The Blount County Board of Education reviewed 17 applicants and identified five finalists for the superintendent/director role, approved adding an additional candidate to the pool, and set a Tuesday–Thursday interview window; interviews must be held in public and will be videoed for members who cannot attend.
The Blount County Board of Education on Tuesday reviewed the results of a superintendent/director search conducted by the Tennessee School Boards Association and named five finalists drawn from 17 applicants.
Dr. Tammy Grissom of TSBA told the board, "We had a total of, 17 applicants," and presented the finalists: Dr. Rainey Bridal (materials at tab 1), Dr. Dylan Connell (tab 2), Shane Johnston (tab 3), Dr. David Myers (tab 4), and Dr. Alisa Tief Taylor (tab 5). Grissom said packet materials and hard-copy applications were provided to the board chairman and members.
Why it matters: The board must conduct public interviews and use a consistent set of questions tied to criteria the board approved earlier in the search process. Dr. Grissom emphasized the importance of using the same interview questions for every candidate and referred the board to sample interview questions in the packet and to equal employment opportunity guidance (pages 10–12) that lists questions that may not be asked.
Board logistics and next steps: Board members discussed beginning interviews as soon as possible and targeting a Tuesday–Thursday window this week, avoiding Good Friday. The chairman asked members to provide availability to the board secretary (referred to in the meeting as "Miss Dani") so interviews could be scheduled; the chairman typically calls to arrange candidate times after receiving TSBA's report. The board was told interviews "must be in person," and Grissom noted candidates already were informed of the tight timeline. The board also confirmed interviews will be videoed so members who cannot attend can review the sessions later.
Action taken: During the meeting the board approved the day's agenda by voice vote and later approved a motion to add an additional candidate to the finalists list. In the motion the name used was "Justin Ridge"; the transcript later includes a reference to "Justin Bridal" in a nearby line. The board recorded the motion, received a second, and approved it by voice vote.
What remains unresolved: The board must finalize a schedule and assign specific interview topics/questions to members (Dr. Grissom suggested dividing topics such as finance and curriculum among board members to promote consistency). The record does not show a named mover or seconder for the agenda approval or the candidate addition, and individual vote tallies by name were not recorded in the transcript.
The meeting closed after a prayer and final thanks to TSBA. The board adjourned after a motion and voice vote approving closure; the chair asked members to send schedule availability to Miss Dani so interviews could be arranged.
