School board members debate McDaniel contract	- Download MP3-

CLEVELAND, Tenn. — Johnny McDaniel’s contract as the future Bradley County schools director includes four years of severance pay, and school board member Tom Cassada is asking why.

“The severance pay went from one year to four years, and that wasn’t disclosed in our discussions,” Mr. Cassada said at last week’s school board meeting.

Mr. McDaniel will do a fine job, Mr. Cassada said, “but no CEO has this contract.”

But board member Troy Weathers accused Mr. Cassada later of political grandstanding.

Mr. Weathers negotiated the contract with Mr. McDaniel. He said during the meeting it protects the new director and the school system.

“We can nitpick this contract all day long if you like, but it was the right thing to do for both,” Mr. Weathers said.

By moving here from Florida, Mr. McDaniel made a major career change, Mr. Weathers said.

“Mr. McDaniel felt like it would not be fair coming in here for a one-year ordeal where he barely gets his feet wet,” he said.

“As we all know, this board may change this next year and they may decide they don’t like Mr. McDaniel,” he said. “When you bring a man or lady on as director of schools, don’t try to shaft them.”

Christy Critchfield told fellow board members the contract protects Mr. McDaniel regardless of the results of the next election.

“We are protecting what we feel is right for Bradley County schools,” she said.

Four board seats are on the Aug. 7 ballot and three are contested.

Chairman David Kelley said board members received the contract to review before it was signed.

Current Director Bob Taylor said a difference between the two positions was that he had tenure and Mr. McDaniel did not. ’

“So if anything did not go well with me, you could not, without cause, fire me,” he said. “So I had some protection that he, coming from Florida, does not have.”

Mr. Weathers challenged Mr. Cassada to make a motion to revoke the contract.

“Put it on the table and be done with it,” Mr. Weathers said. “I don’t think it’s fair to humiliate our new director of schools.

“Don’t put words in my mouth,” Mr. Cassada responded. “Johnny is going to do a great job. I support Johnny. I voted for Johnny.”