Bledsoe County board directs draft of four-year director contract, sets July 29 approval meeting

The Bledsoe County Board of Education on July 21 directed its attorney to prepare a four-year contract for the Director of Schools that would set base pay at $120,000 and include a package of benefits and allowances, and scheduled a special called meeting for July 29 to consider approval.

Mr. Howard Upchurch, the board attorney, reviewed terms of the previous director’s contract and recommended provisions to include in a new draft, according to the minutes. The recommended draft would set contract length at four years and base compensation at $120,000. It would also provide $3,000 for in-county travel paid in 12 equal installments, reimbursement for out-of-county travel, and coverage of a cell phone service plan.

The minutes list benefits to be included as one hundred percent covered for the director, the director’s spouse and eligible children for medical, dental, vision, long-term disability, accident, group term life and cancer coverage. The draft also would pay for organization memberships, grant 15 vacation days with a carryover of five days per year, and require the director to address the board within 60 days with a formal plan of long-term goals.

Board members voted to set a Special Called Meeting for 6:00 p.m. July 29, 2025 to approve the Director of Schools contract. The motion to schedule the meeting was made by Mr. Steve Perry and seconded by Mr. Jacob Frady. The minutes record Mr. Andy Billingsley as absent; Mr. Tim Churches, Mr. Jacob Frady, Mrs. Carolyn Oakes, Mr. Steve Perry, Mr. Charles (Bron) Reece and Mr. Don Snow voted AYE.

A motion to adjourn, made by Mr. Perry and seconded by Mr. Tim Churches, passed and the meeting concluded. The board directed Mr. Upchurch to draft the contract with the discussed provisions and any other items raised for review by Dr. Walker, her attorney and the board ahead of the July 29 meeting.