The Metro Nashville School Board has taken a major step in finding its next director.
The school board was given major support from Mayor Megan Barry and the Metro Council to make sure the director is the right fit for Nashville.
A 17-member committee comprised of city and community leaders was launched to find the best candidates late last year.
The school board received six candidates on Tuesday afternoon before the first round of interviews on Thursday.
The six candidates below include educators from in and outside the state.
- Joel Boyd - Superintendent of Schools, Santa Fe Public Schools (NM)
- Jesus Jara - Deputy Superintendent, Orange County Public Schools (FL)
- Shawn Joseph - Deputy Superintendent of for Teaching and Learning, Prince George’s County Public Schools (MD)
- Brad Leon - Chief of Strategy and Innovation, Shelby County Public Schools (TN)
- H. Allen Smith - Chief of Schools, Oakland Unified School District (CA)
- Kenneth Zeff - Interim Superintendent, Fulton County Schools (GA)
To learn more about the candidates' backgrounds and qualifications, click here.
The board hoped the second round would be successful after last year's frustrating process. Dr. Mike Looney turned down the $285,000 per-year contract to stay as Director of Williamson County Schools.
For the past 10 months, Metro Chief Financial Officer Chris Henson has been serving as the interim director since Dr. Jesse Registered retired.
The board may offer the job as early as two weeks and hopes to have a director in place by June 1.
Residents will be able to meet and ask director candidates questions during the search to find Metro Schools' next superintendent.
All forums will be held from 6:00-7:30 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 10 at Maplewood High School on 401 Walton Lane, 37216
- Wednesday, May 11 at Creswell Middle Prep School of the Arts on 3500 John Mallette Drive, 37218
- Thursday, May 12 from 6-7:30 p.m. at Overton High School on 4820 Franklin Road, 37220
