The County School Board voted 5-4 on Thursday night to hold off on choosing a superintendent search firm, and instead will schedule a board retreat to come up with the first board strategic plan in over a decade.
Kathy Lennon, one of three new board members, said she agreed with several speakers from Unifi-Ed that the community needs to be involved in the selection process. She said the board needs to formulate a vision for the type of leader it wants.
Tiffanie Robinson, also new to the board, said she would not mind delaying for several months while the board goes through a visioning process. She called that "the Chattanooga way." She said, "Getting community involvement is very important."
Karitsa Jones said, "I don't see what the rush is." She said the board should wait til next May if that is what it takes to get the vision drawn up. She said interim Supt. Kirk Kelly "has a team in place working seamlessly."
Jonas Barriere, who just came here to head Unifi-Ed, wanted public resumes, live streaming of the interview process, community forums, and a community advisory board.
Several speakers, including two students, a teacher and a parent, had the same idea.
Board veteran Rhonda Thurman said the board had an extensive process for at least two of the last three superintendents. She said, except for school personnel, hardly anyone came to the public sessions.
She said the superintendent selection issue "has been before us for months and this would put it back yet again.
"This is our job. I don't need to sit at home and wait for somebody to call me to tell me how to vote. It sounds to me like they want an elected superintendent.
"I'm not going to relinquish my position to somebody who just moved to town. I'm offended by that."
Board member David Testerman said the panel needed to get the search firm in place, then work with them on qualities for the next superintendent. He said officials of the firm would ask the questions and keep the board on track.
Joe Galloway said he felt there was not that much of a difference in the three search firm finalists and he was in favor of taking the one with the cheapest price.
Joe Wingate, who is also new to the board, said, however, there were stark differences in the three. He said he was not satisfied with any of them. He said he wanted "not the cheapest, but the best."
The vote to proceed with the selection was supported by Ms. Thurman, Mr. Testerman, Mr. Galloway and Greg Martin.
Opposed were Ms. Jones, Ms. Lennon, Ms. Robinson and Mr. Wingate.
New Chairman Steve Highlander broke the tie by saying he was willing to take a vote, but would vote no out of respect for those who wanted to wait.
The board was to choose a date for the retreat as well as a facilitator. Board Attorney Scott Bennett said he recommended that the board take at least two days.