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Tullahoma board moves to interview internal candidate, signaling shift toward appointing deputy director as next schools director
Summary
Board members signaled consensus to proceed with a targeted selection process for Dr. April Norris, the district's deputy director, and voted to set a date (to be determined) for a public interview and board Q&A after counsel advised the board must give 15 days' notice before hiring a named candidate.
The Tullahoma City Schools Board of Education agreed to pursue a targeted selection process for the district's next director of schools, moving toward an appointment of the internal candidate, Dr. April Norris, and voting to set a public interview date to be determined.
At a lengthy discussion of options for filling the vacancy, board members laid out the alternatives: a full external search, a TSBA or headhunter‑led process, an internal‑only search, or direct appointment. Several members emphasized continuity and the value of promoting from within. "I also cannot imagine a more qualified and experienced candidate than Dr. Norris," one board member said, citing her years supervising multiple central office functions.
Legal counsel, Mr. Bennett, advised the board that state notice requirements apply when the board considers hiring a particular person. "You have to give the public 15 days notice," he said, and recommended a two‑part approach: a public interview in which Dr. Norris would present her vision followed by a board Q&A, and a separate action item on a publicly noticed date to consider employment terms.
After discussion the board made and passed a motion to forego a broad external search in favor of a targeted process that will include a public interview and question‑and‑answer session with Dr. Norris; the date will be selected and publicly posted with the required notice. The motion was moved and seconded, and members voted in favor.
Board members said the approach balances transparency and efficiency: it would allow the public to hear the candidate directly while avoiding the cost and delay of a drawn‑out national search. Several board members also said they wanted to allow new board members and the public time to submit or propose questions for the interview.
Next steps outlined by counsel include setting a specific interview date, providing at least 15 days' public notice that the board is considering a particular candidate, and if the board chooses to proceed after the interview, returning with any contract terms for formal consideration.
