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Churchill County trustees authorize contract talks with finalist Blake Cooper after final interviews
Summary
After interviewing four finalists, the Churchill County School District board of trustees voted 4–3 to authorize the president and legal counsel to negotiate a contract with finalist Blake Cooper, advancing him to the final hiring stage pending agreement on terms.
The Churchill County School District Board of Trustees on [date] authorized the board president and district counsel to negotiate a contract with finalist Blake Cooper following a day of hour‑long interviews with four candidates.
In a 4–3 vote the board approved a motion directing the president and attorney, with the involvement of the district’s search consultants, to negotiate terms with Cooper and return a proposed contract for board approval. The board had earlier heard one‑hour interviews with Levi Collins, Natalie Burgess, a candidate identified in the record as Mike, and Blake Cooper before taking public comment and entering deliberations.
Why it matters: The vote moves the district past the finalist interview stage into formal contract negotiations. Trustees framed their discussion around two main tradeoffs: candidates with deep district experience versus those with local ties and perceived coachability. Several trustees said they favored a candidate who could connect immediately with staff and community; others stressed the value of prior district‑level experience.
What trustees heard: Candidates outlined plans for early engagement, student achievement and staff retention. Natalie Burgess, an associate superintendent by trade, set clear three‑year targets during her interview, saying, “In 3 years, we will have all schools 3 stars or higher.” She emphasized data dives, a 90‑day listening tour and work to reduce chronic absenteeism.
Blake Cooper, a candidate with long local connections who said he has three children in the district, emphasized visible leadership and career pathways for students. “I’m a people person and feel confident in the relationships I would build with you all as well as our staff members,” Cooper told the board, and provided a written 30/60‑day entry plan to trustees.
Points of contention: Trustees debated whether Cooper’s background—strongly rooted in the community and school leadership—offset concerns from some about limited district‑level administrative experience compared with other finalists. Supporters said Cooper had demonstrated marked growth through the process and could be mentored; skeptics warned of transition risks and potential staff turnover under a superintendent new to district operations.
The motion and vote: Trustee McFadden moved to authorize the president and the district attorney, in consultation with the search consultants, to negotiate with the board’s selected candidate and return a proposed contract. The motion was seconded and passed on a 4–3 tally; trustees did not publicly record individual roll‑call votes in the meeting transcript, but the board announced the motion carried.
Next steps: Staff and the district’s legal counsel will enter negotiations with Cooper. Any final employment agreement will be returned to the board for formal approval. The board president said the administration will communicate next steps to the finalist and that trustees expect a contract to be presented once terms are settled.
Context and background: The board conducted four finalist interviews in a single session, each slated for an hour with short breaks between. Trustees asked candidates about priorities including teacher recruitment and retention, MTSS and special‑education supports, student safety and discipline, the district’s new ELA curriculum and multiyear budgeting. Several candidates cited the ‘science of reading,’ professional learning communities and targeted interventions as central strategies to raise ELA and math outcomes.
What was not decided: The board did not vote to hire or appoint a superintendent that night; the vote authorized contract negotiations only. Any hire remains contingent on successful negotiation and a subsequent board vote on a final contract.
Public comment: Members of the public who spoke during deliberations expressed both support and concern for various finalists; several urged trustees to unite behind the chosen candidate once the process concludes.
The board adjourned after closing public comment and directed staff to proceed with the negotiated next steps.
