9 candidates for director of schools interviewed

The Cannon County Board of Education met in special session Saturday to conduct telephone interviews of the nine candidates for the position of director of schools.

Board members Bruce Daniel, Shelly Walkup, Tim Powers, Javin Fann and Nathan Sanders were assisted in the process by an advisory committee consisting of local principals, teachers and Central Office staff.

The nine candidates interviewed were:

• Larry "Chip" Roney, principal at Ashland City Elementary School and Riverside Academy in Cheatham County.

• Brian Brewer, career and technical education coordinator for Metro Nashville Public Schools.

• Karen King, principal at West Side School.

• Michelle Prater, instructional coach for Metro Nashville Public Schools.

• Jason Scarbrough, principal at Inman Middle School in Paris, Tenn.

• Michael Steele, executive principal at Stratford STEM Magnet School in Nashville.

• Mike Jones, principal at Cannon County High School.

• William (Freddy) Curtis, interim director of Cannon County Schools.

• Paul Eichelkraut, district coordinator of child care, home-bound instructional services and RTI fidelity for the Jackson-Madison County School System in Jackson, Tenn.

There was a brief discussion of all the candidates following Saturday's interviews. It was pointed out that two of the candidates apparently did not meet the board's criteria of having at least three years experience in school administration.

In addition, limited background searches of two other candidates elicited expressions of concern among some of those who are involved in the selection process.

No action was taken to eliminate any of the contenders for the position at Saturday's meeting.

The board and the advisory committee will meet again in special session on Tuesday (March 13) at the Central Office on Main St. at 6:30 to continue discussion of the candidates, at which time it is expected the field will be narrowed to five or possibly less.

Another special session is slated for Thursday (March 15) at 6:30 at the Central Office. At that meeting it is anticipated finalists for the position will be interviewed in person.

The board has also called a special session for March 29 for the express purpose of naming a director of schools. Board chairman Daniel indicated at Saturday's meeting a board workshop may be held on Tuesday, March 27 if additional candidate interviews or discussion of the candidates is required.