Blount County board appoints Justin Ridge as director of schools
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Summary
After narrowing a six-candidate field to two finalists by paper ballot, the Blount County school board unanimously appointed Justin Ridge as director of schools following a nomination and roll-call vote.
The Blount County school board appointed Justin Ridge as director of schools after a unanimous roll-call vote during a meeting in which one candidate had withdrawn and the board narrowed a six-person field to two finalists.
The board chair announced that one candidate, Dylan Connell of Durango, Colorado, had withdrawn from consideration, leaving five candidates. Members then voted by paper ballot to select two finalists; clerk Miss Danny reported the tally as 7 votes for Justin Ridge, 4 for Alisa Teef Taylor, and 3 for Kevin Myers. The board moved and approved accepting Ridge and Teef Taylor as the top two finalists.
A board member who nominated Ridge recounted working with him at William Blount High School and praised his communication, instructional knowledge and hiring decisions, saying, "He is an exceptional leader." The nomination was seconded and the clerk conducted a roll-call vote. The transcript records each listed member voting "yes" (Joe Lindsay/Lindsey, John Lowe, Erica Moore, Chris Pass, Phil Porter, Randy Early Howard and Brian/Bridal King); the clerk announced Justin Ridge as the new director of Blount County Schools.
The chair thanked all candidates and offered particular congratulations to the other finalist, recorded in the transcript as Dr. Teef/Teef Taylor, calling that person an "excellent administrator and candidate for director." The meeting adjourned shortly after the appointment.
No salary, start date, employment contract details, or next procedural steps for the transition were specified in the transcript.
