Director picked for Bradley County Schools

Dr. Linda Cash, the new director of schools for Bradley County, answers questions posed by the school board during a public interview on Monday evening. Scott Bennett, attorney for the school system, listens.
Dr. Linda Cash, the new director of schools for Bradley County, answers questions posed by the school board during a public interview on Monday evening. Scott Bennett, attorney for the school system, listens.

CLEVELAND, Tenn. -- The Bradley County Board of Education has hired Dr. Linda Cash, assistant director of Robertson County Schools, as its new director of schools.

On Monday, the board voted 5-2 in favor of offering a three-year contact to Cash after an hour-long public interview. Cash's agreement includes a $136,000 annual salary and benefits similar to those available to employees of Bradley County Schools.

During the interview, Cash shared her vision with board members, stressing the importance of developing relationships, fostering communication and supporting teachers and principals.

"The most important person we have in our schools are our children," Cash said. "But besides those children we have teachers that have the largest impact and they have the highest total effect of anyone."

Cash's credentials say she has "28 years of experience instructing students and teachers, securing resources, and implementing programs." She has served in educational administrative positions since 2002.

Dr. Bill Heath, director of Lawrence County Schools, who also was scheduled to be interviewed on Monday, recently withdrew his candidacy, board Chairman Nicholas Lillios said.

Lillios said he had not spoken with Heath, but the former candidate had left him a voice message.

photo Linda Cash

It was the lack of a second publicly interviewed candidate that resulted in the two votes of opposition to Cash's contract, which were cast by board members Rodney Dillard and Amanda Lee.

"It's nothing against Dr. Cash," said Lee. "It's about the process."

Dillard echoed Lee's comments, stating that a pool of five other candidates remained, and one or two others could have been brought before the board for consideration.

The director of schools search process was organized by consultant Wayne Qualls, who arranged for private one-on-one meetings with candidates and board members. Cash and Heath were the top-ranked candidates, according to feedback tallied by Qualls, Lillios said earlier.

The names of the five other candidates, which include three Bradley County Schools employees, have not been announced in order to protect their privacy and current employment, Lillios said.

During the interview, Dillard also voiced other concerns about the search process and "some distrust" he has for some fellow board members, asking Cash if "any deals" had been made with any board member about hiring, firing or reassigning of any school employees.

No such deals have be made, she said.

Cash assumes her new job on June 1, replacing Johnny McDaniel, who accepted a buyout agreement of his contract from a divided board in February. McDaniel served as director for eight years.

Scott Humberd, the system's supervisor of attendance/technology, was appointed to serve as the school system's interim director in March. He will continue to serve in that capacity until Cash takes office.

Paul Leach is based in Cleveland. Email him at paul.leach.press@gmail.com.

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