Jefferson County school director announces plans to leave office

Jefferson County school director announces plans to leave office

By WHITNEY HOLMES
6 News Anchor/Reporter

DANDRIDGE (WATE) -- Four different people have served as director of Jefferson County Schools in the past two years.

Doug Moody was fired back in 2007 for an unspecified reason.

Former facilities director Bill Nolen took over on an interim basis.

Dr. Archie Bone replaced Nolen in 2008, but resigned in July of this year for "personal reasons."

And now Connie Campbell says she won't be back after the end of the school year.

Campbell told 6 News her decision to let her contract expire after one year was a personal decision. She did not want to appear on camera, but she did say the position was not a good fit for her and that she is not sure what she'll do next.

"I don't know why anybody would want to work for this school board," said County Commission Chairman Phil Kindred.

Kindred has a theory as to why the director's office seems to have a revolving door.

It's not the pay, he says.

The last four directors have made between $89,000 and $104,000.

Moody earned $104, 462 a year. Nolan earned $89,268 a year. Bone had an annual salary of $95,040. Campbell’s salary is the same as Bone’s.

Kindred says the cause of the turnover is infighting within the school board.

"They play political games as opposed to putting the interest of our children first," he said. "They are reluctant to take input from their professional staff."

No member of the school board would comment.

Campbell said the school board has been supportive of her and that support made her decision tougher.

Still, Kindred said school board politics even kept him away from the job.

"I didn't want to do that job. I think Connie is like this too, we rather do school than get into the political fray and get into that," said Kindred, who worked for the school system for 32 years.

Jefferson County residents are worried about how the frequent changes in leadership affect their kids.

"It makes you wonder if someone is making bad mistakes or if something is going on that shouldn't be," said Danny Lowe.

The residents said they aren't sure why there's a lot of turnover, but they hope it stops before it harms their kids.

"We need to figure out what the problem is so we can get someone in there that will stay," said Dan Arwood.

Kindred says that because Campbell announced her intentions early in the school year, the board has ample time to find a suitable replacement.

He adds that there are several capable potential candidates in the schools’ central office.