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Two dozen apply for director of Cleveland City Schools

Cleveland City Schools Assistant Director Cathy Goodman has been appointed by the city school board to serve as interim director of schools. Goodman has held a number of administrative positions with the school system since 2002.
Cleveland City Schools Assistant Director Cathy Goodman has been appointed by the city school board to serve as interim director of schools. Goodman has held a number of administrative positions with the school system since 2002. Cleveland City Schools Assistant Director Cathy Goodman has been appointed by the city school board to serve as interim director of schools. Goodman has held a number of administrative positions with the school system since 2002.

By Paul Leach 3 min read

photo Martin Ringstaff

Twenty-four candidates are applying for the director’s post with Cleveland City Schools, double the number who applied two weeks ago.

In February, the Cleveland Board of Education fired then-Director Martin Ringstaff because of “behavior unbecoming” following revelations he exchanged sexually explicit social media messages with a woman who was not his wife. After terminating Ringstaff’s employment, the board hired the Tennessee School Boards Association to conduct a search for the next director.

“The posting is now closed, so there will be no further updates to this list,” said Katie Hock, director of communications and member services for TSBA, in an email.

Two Cleveland City Schools administration officials are on the list: Dr. Joel Barnes, principal of Blythe-Bower Elementary School, and Jeffrey B. Elliott, supervisor of curriculum and instruction.

Another local applicant, Zoe Renfro, who serves as the adult education supervisor for Bradley County Schools, withdrew her application on March 31, according to the TSBA.