The Smith County Board of Education approved formal qualifications for the district’s director of schools and set a hiring timeline that includes a Jan. 12, 2026 application deadline and first-round interviews on Feb. 28, 2026. The board voted to use the existing policy framework, with the attorney’s office receiving and vetting applications for completeness.

Board members said the district’s selection documents — described as recruitment, selection and duties policies originally issued in 1999 and revised most recently in 12/20 and February ’25 — align with state procedures. An Unidentified Board Member moved adoption of the qualifications and the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote.

The board directed staff to post the job on the district website, submit notices to local papers and contact the Tennessee School Boards Association about a posting. The board agreed to accept applications through 3 p.m. on Jan. 12, 2026, so the attorney’s office would have time to compile a list of qualified candidates for the Jan. 20 board meeting.

Board members discussed screening criteria the attorney will use, including degree verification and employment history checks; members referenced prior practice of requesting W-2s or similar employment verification for the previous hire. The board agreed the attorney would return a vetted list of qualified applicants.

If the applicant pool is large, the board said it will narrow candidates to a smaller “top canvas” for subsequent rounds. The board tentatively scheduled first-round interviews for 9 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at the Smith County Board of Education Building and discussed holding second-round interviews in March, with the aim of selecting a director by April 1–15, 2026. The board instructed that a standard set of questions be prepared, reviewed by the attorney for legality, and asked uniformly of all candidates; audience members will not be permitted to ask questions during interviews.

The board emphasized that the attorney’s office will receive and open applications, run completeness checks and return the pool of qualified applicants to the board for review. Members also discussed practical details such as posting tiers and potential fees if the Tennessee School Boards Association charges for advertising.