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Cumberland County narrows superintendent search to two TSBA-recommended finalists
Summary
The school board’s consultant from the Tennessee School Boards Association presented two finalists — Dr. Rebecca Farley and Dr. Randy Shannon — and outlined interview procedures and timeline; board members asked about adding a local candidate and confirmed interview logistics.
Tammy Ganger, a consultant with the Tennessee School Boards Association, told the Cumberland County School Board at its work session that TSBA’s screening committee is recommending two finalists for director of schools: Dr. Rebecca Farley and Dr. Randy Shannon.
Ganger said the committee received eight applications and screened them to the criteria the board adopted. "TSBA does not select your director of schools. We just simply do the leg work, and that's what we're reporting on," she said. The board received a hard copy binder and a Dropbox link with full application materials for the finalists.
Dr. Rebecca Farley was identified in the presentation as the district’s interim director of schools and its chief academic officer; TSBA’s packet listed her prior experience as supervisor of instruction, principal at Crab Orchard Elementary and assistant principal at North Cumberland Elementary, and earlier classroom experience. Dr. Randy Shannon was presented as supervisor of college and career readiness and CTE director in Benton; the packet also listed legal and mediation credentials and prior principal experience.
The TSBA packet includes a recommended timeline and interview procedures: TSBA advised that up to three candidates may be referred, that interviews must occur in open meetings with school board members asking questions, and that the board should ask identical questions of each candidate. The association provided a sample schedule for candidate days that includes meetings with principals and staff, a community/business luncheon, and an evening board interview. Ganger recommended using a written ballot (each board member writes a candidate choice, signs it and the secretary reads them aloud) rather than a secret ballot.
Board members asked procedural questions. Chairman King and others confirmed the planned interview dates on the board’s timeline; TSBA’s materials referenced June interview dates and a follow-up meeting to consider negotiations. Michelle Barnett — a local educator whose resume was mentioned by a board member — was raised in public discussion as a local applicant; Ganger said the committee had selected the candidates it judged best met the board’s criteria but that the board may interview additional applicants if it chooses.
The board discussed logistics for the recommended interview process and the timing of community and staff meetings that would precede the formal board interview. Board members agreed to coordinate calendar availability with TSBA and to finalize interview dates and question assignments so the process can proceed on the timeline.
Looking ahead, TSBA’s packet said the board should schedule a subsequent meeting (noted in the provided timeline) to discuss interviews and select a candidate for contract negotiation. The board did not take a formal vote on the search process during the work session; TSBA’s recommendations and the finalists’ materials will be the basis for the upcoming interview schedule and deliberations.
