As the Hamilton County Board of Education nears the launch of a superintendent search, it is expected to begin conversation tonight about which firm it will use to help.
Five firms responded to the board's Request for Proposal, and the board will likely discuss each during tonight's work session. No formal action can be taken to retain a firm until next week's voting session.
The firms that responded to the district's Request for Proposal are: Coleman Lew and Associates, Hazard Young, McPherson Jacobson LLC, Ray and Associates and the Tennessee School Boards Association.
Former Superintendent Rick Smith stepped down from the position of superintendent in March, following two tumultuous months after the rape of an Ooltewah High School freshman, allegedly by three of his basketball teammates
Smith was criticized in the wake of the rape for his handling of the situation and lack of communication..
Five school board members voted in April to name Kirk Kelly the district's interim superintendent.
See Friday's Times Free Press for the full story.