Most Hamilton County commissioners said Wednesday they hope the school board’s next choice for superintendent is someone from Hamilton County.
On Tuesday, Superintendent Jim Scales said he had agreed to a buyout of his contract. Scales was hired in 2006 and came to the county from the Dallas (Texas) Independent School district.
Commissioners said they want the next superintendent to be someone who knows the school system and the community.
“I think we strongly need to look at someone locally to manage our system, someone that has expertise in the system, someone who can relate and communicate well with the school board and the County Commission,” Chairman Larry Henry said. “I would hope that’s the direction they would move in.”
Some have said Deputy Superintendent Rick Smith, who was a candidate for the job in 2006, is a likely replacement for the outgoing superintendent. Commissioners did not mention Smith specifically when asked about the board’s next move.