NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Chris Henson's job as interim Director of Metro Schools was only supposed to last two months, now it has been set to continue for an indefinite period of time after a failed search for a permanent replacement.
Henson previously served in the same position in 2008. He's usually behind the scenes as the district's Chief Financial Officer. Now he's the face of the district and hoping to create some much needed stability.
“First thing I want to do is to tell you thank you for the work that you do,” Henson said to teachers at Jere Baxter Middle School.
Henson's new role may be temporary, but don't expect him to be a lame duck.
“We've got a lot of distractions going on in the school district,” he said. “We need to put those to the side and what we need to do, and I'm sure this is what you're doing is keep our heads down and concentrate on students.”
Henson has been re-enforcing the sense of urgency, first starting by visiting Priority Schools.
“I'm not looking to make any major changes or significant changes,” he said. “I think one thing the district needs right now is some stability. So I can provide that but also not sitting still.”
Henson answered teacher's questions and even solicited criticism. It's a balance he's trying to strike to reinforce a sense of calm in the midst of what's been described as noise, as a result of the Director search, while continuing to set high expectations.
“It's exciting too just to have someone from the board say we're here,” Principal Miriam Harrington. “We hear you. We support you in your work and don't worry about again, the noise.”
That has helped set the tone for the upcoming year, especially at a school that just last year was being considered for state takeover.
“I did receive a letter from Candice McQueen yesterday saying that for the 2015-2016 school year we are not being considered for takeover at all because of the gains we made,” Harrington told her elated staff.
It’s due to immense growth students demonstrated on their TCAP exams. It's that momentum Henson wants to capitalize before handing the district off to whoever fills the position permanently.
