County Commissioner Curtis Adams said County School Supt. Jesse Register should leave now rather than staying through the school year.
He said someone from within the county schools could step into the post now.
Commissioner Adams mentioned Deputy
Supt. Rick Smith or principals Robert Smith and Ed Foster as possibilities.
Commissioner Adams said, "I wish Dr. Jesse Register the very best in the future and I regret the relationship we once enjoyed ended after his first five years, but as a commissioner charged with the responsibility of funding the schools it was evident to me that our taxpayers, those that generated the millions going to schools, were being shortchanged.
"I also feel it is not in the best interest of our county, our school system, or our children for him to place himself in a lame duck position for the next eight months. I would favor paying him for the year and let him move on immediately. Smart business leaders will tell you that when an employee resigns it is best for that employee to move on.
"We need to start a new day immediately and not delay this for eight months. It is my hope we look within our system to find a replacement rather than go outside. We have some highly qualified principals. Two of the best are Robert Smith, principal at Soddy-Daisy High School, and Ed Foster, principal at Ooltewah High School. They have been tested and proven to be high caliber leaders.
"Rick Smith, deputy superintendent, is a well-trained individual with many attributes. He would stand tall as our superintendent, but, more importantly, he knows the system, he knows Hamilton County, and he would be someone this community will respect.
"As we face this change, now is the time for the Public Education Foundation to back off and allow our superintendent to have full control of his system without interference from an un-elected group. The Public Education Foundation should support, advise, and offer their help, but they have too much control on our schools.
"This community surely would be pleased with a fine local superintendent, and one that will work well with the Hamilton County Commission. We can ALL work together and make our community proud again of our schools."