School board approves two-month consulting agreement for Marcy Tibble after debate over cost and role

The Hickman County School Board voted to approve a temporary consulting agreement with Marcy Tibble that runs from April 1 through May 31, 2026.

Board members debated the cost and the consultant’s role before the vote. The Chair said the price — roughly $11,000 a month, or about $22,000 over two months — felt high, telling colleagues that “that’s a big time consultant right there at $11,000 a month.” A separate board member countered that Tibble is an experienced professional, noting, “she is a professional. And you pay professionals what their rate of pay is.”

Board members also pressed for clarity on who staff should report to while Dr. Anderson remains on contract through May; members asked for the consultant’s scope and chain of command to be spelled out in paperwork so teachers and administrators know whether to take direction from the consultant or from Dr. Anderson. One board member recommended explicitly defining the consultant’s role in the contract to prevent confusion.

During the meeting a motion to approve the temporary consulting agreement was made and seconded; the board conducted a roll-call vote and the motion passed. The vote, as recorded in the meeting, included the following responses: Miss Taylor — Yes; Mister Hobbs — Yes; Mister Elaine — No; Miss Mays — No; Doctor Coop — Yes; Miss Harron — Yes. The presiding officer declared the motion carried.

Next steps include finalizing signatures on the contract and confirming its operational scope so administrators and staff understand the consultant’s responsibilities during the transition window before the next school year.