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Sevier County Board offers Wendy Patterson interim schools director, 3–2
Summary
The Sevier County Board of Education voted 3–2 on May 7, 2026, to offer Wendy Patterson the position of Interim Director of Schools, with her assuming operational control July 1, 2026; an amendment to immediately begin recruiting a permanent director under Policy 5.802 failed 2–3.
The Sevier County Board of Education voted 3–2 on May 7, 2026, to offer Wendy Patterson the position of Interim Director of Schools, with Patterson to assume operational control as Interim Director on July 1, 2026. John McClure moved the original motion; Kevin Townsend seconded and the motion carried.
During discussion, Mark Strange offered an amendment to the motion that would have both offered Patterson the interim position and opened recruitment for a permanent Director under Policy 5.802 in early 2027; Charles Ogle seconded that amendment. The amendment failed on a 2–3 vote. The minutes record that Strange and Ogle said their “votes reflected their position regarding policy procedures rather than the individual being considered for the interim role.”
The board did not record any additional conditions or a specific job description change for the interim appointment in the minutes. The decision came at a special-called meeting convened by Board Chairman Mike Oakley; Director of Schools Stephanie Huskey was present. The board’s next regular meeting was announced as Monday, May 11, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. in the T. Mack Sharpe Board Room.
Outcome and next steps recorded in the minutes: the interim appointment takes effect July 1, 2026; the failed amendment noted interest in opening recruitment under Policy 5.802 in early 2027 but did not pass. The minutes do not specify a timeline or lead staff for any recruitment process beyond what the failed amendment proposed.
