The Hamilton County Board of Education is expected to vote March 7 to buy out Superintendent Rick Smith’s contract, or fire him, and then an interim superintendent must be named.
School board Chairman Jonathan Welch told the board in an email Sunday that he recommends that, assuming the board reaches a decision to end its contract with Smith, an interim superintendent from within the school system be appointed then.
Welch said he does not think the board is prepared to name a long-term interim superintendent on March 7, so he suggested the board use someone from in house for a couple of weeks, allowing them time to interview candidates during a meeting March 10. The board is then expected to name a long-term interim superintendent on March 17 and discuss next steps for a superintendent search.
Welch said no one has officially expressed interest in the position of the long-term interim superintendent.
“I do not speak for the board but based on the limited discussion last week at our meeting, I believe there will be a wide range of opinions on both the qualities we are searching for and the candidates that may ultimately come forward,” Welch said.