Five Finalists For Henry Co. Director Of Schools Position Announced

By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.–Five finalists for the position of Henry Co. Director of Schools were recommended for interviews at Thursday evening’s meeting of the county schools board by the Tennessee School Boards Association Superintendent Search Service.
The five are:
–Dr. Leah Watkins of Union City, current Obion County Schools Director. Dr. Watkins previously was Roane Co. Director of Schools. She also previously was principal at Paris Elementary School and the Henry Co. Middle Schools, after which she worked as Instruction Supervisor and Federal Programs Director at Paris Special Schools.
–Dr. Felicia Bates of Whitlock, current Director of Curriculum for K-3 at Henry County Schools.
–Dr. Randy Shannon of Camden, current Principal of the Benton Co. Schools Career and Technical Center. Dr. Shannon also is an attorney with two doctorates.
–Dr. Donald Durley of Millington, Principal at Millington Central High School.
–Shane Paschall of Milan, Bradford High School Principal and Athletic Director. He also is a graduate of Henry County High School.
Randall Bennett of the Superintendent Search Service told the board there were a total of 19 applicants and that the review process narrowed the total to eight and then a final five. All the applications are on file at the Henry County Schools office and are open to the public.
All five will be interviewed next week by the board. Bennett handed out interview guides for the board to use if they choose.
Current Director of Schools Dr. Brian Norton earlier announced his pending resignation from the position.
The board has already called a special meeting for 11 a.m. May 9 at Grove Tower. That meeting will be preceded by a facilities and grounds meeting earlier that morning.
In other business, the board unanimously approved naming the high school theater the “Linda Wilson Miller Theater” after the long-time drama instructor. High School Principal Dr. Michele Webb said the new name will be unveiled on the theater at the 50^th anniversary of the high school in September.
Two other recommendations from the board’s facilities and grounds committee were to name the field at Patriot Stadium after former coach Bill Hudson and to name the Fieldhouse after the late Coach James Counce.
Board Member Rod Frey said he had heard concerns from the public that those should be switched—that the Fieldhouse should be named for Hudson and the Stadium named for Counce. He asked for more time to review the recommendations and the board agreed. The recommendations will be brought back to the board at the next meeting.
Maintenance Director John Akers said the work on renovations at the high school “has really exploded in the past two weeks. A lot has been done”. The office area “is pretty much done”, windows in A,B, and C buildings are installed. “Things are moving along. Everything under roof is basically done,” he said.
Work also is progressing on the spring sports building, the fieldhouse and the band building. “Within the next 30 days, there will be a lot of activity going forward,” she said.
 
State Rep. Bruce Griffey attended the meeting and told the board and audience, “It’s an honor and privilege to represent all of you.” He noted that he had voted against the state voucher legislation “because that was the overwhelming wish of everyone in the district”. He envisioned that passage of the legislation will result in litigation “down the road”. He said, “I work for you guys” and asked people with concerns to contact him.
 
Photo: Randy Bennett of the TSBA Superintendent Search Service hands out Director of Schools’ candidate packets to the board members. Shannon McFarlin photo.