NASHVILLE - Eighteen classroom teachers from across Tennessee have been named to Gov. Bill Haslam's new "Teacher Cabinet" and as a result will now get prime face time with both Haslam and state Education Commissioner Candice McQueen on a quarterly basis.
But don't go looking for the face of an educator from Hamilton County Public Schools on the panel. You won't find one.
That's because the Hamilton County Department of Education didn't submit a nomination, Haslam spokesman David Smith said Tuesday when asked.
Haslam told reporters he didn't know why.
School districts across the state were asked to forward nominations. Hamilton and Metro Nashville systems were the only large systems that didn't.
Rick SmithOn Wednesday, it was still unclear what happened locally. Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith did not respond to a reporter's request for an explanation.
With heads from 100-plus school districts offering up nominees for the new 18-member panel, there was no guarantee a Hamilton County candidate would have been selected. But it was certain with no nominee.
A Metro Nashville Public Schools official told The Associated Press the district submitted two nominations. But they didn't get there because the system sent them via email and not by SurveyMonkey.
"We submitted them the incorrect way," Metro Nashville schools spokesman Joe Bass told AP. "We feel terrible that our oversight could lead to their missed opportunity."
Haslam, whose policies on testing and tenure have upset some public school teachers, is seeking regular input and feedback from classroom teachers.
The administration chose teachers based on areas ranging from their students' achievement to demonstrated leadership.
Both of the state's other largest school systems, Knox and Shelby counties, both submitted nominees. And both won appointments to the panel.
Contact Andy Sher at asher@timesfreepress.com or 615-255-0550.