Martin RingstaffTwenty-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.
The other 22 applicants are:
* Dr. John E. Ash, principal, Central Magnet School, Rutherford County, Tenn.
* Christopher Ballenger, superintendent, Jennings Public Schools, Jennings, Okla.
* Dr. Daniel V. Brigman, superintendent, Catawba County Schools, N.C.
* William Shane Cassida, curriculum and instruction director, Yancey County, N.C.
* Dr. William E. Childers, former interim director of schools, Grundy County, Tenn.
* Dr. Frederick Clarke, executive transformation office (assistant superintendent), East St. Louis School District, St. Louis, Ill.
* Dr. Russell Dyer, chief of staff, Collierville City Schools, Shelby County, Tenn.
* Dr. Elizabeth Ferreira- Alves, assistant superintendent/chief academic officer, Knox County, Knoxville, Tenn.
* Christopher W. Hammill, vice president of school operations, AdvancePath Academics, Mich.
* Dr. Sharon Harper, executive director, Southeast CORE, Tennessee Department of Education.
* James Herrholtz, deputy superintendent, Mahoning County ESC, Tenn.
* Dr. Susan Moore, chief academic officer, Education One LLC, Louisiana.
* Jason Newman, principal, Parkview Learning Center, Jackson, Tenn.
* Dr. Christopher Randolph Quinn, director of instruction, Stafford County, Va.
* Dr. David Robinson, School of Inquiry and Life Sciences at Asheville, Asheville City Schools, N.C.
* Dr. Richard Rundhaug, Express Employment Professionals, Ariz.
* Dr. Gwendolyn Shannon, superintendent, East Jasper School District, Heidelberg, Miss.
* Dr. Michael Steele, executive principal, Stratford STEM Magnet High School, Davidson County, Tenn.
* Dr. Yolanda Turner, superintendent, Calhoun County, Ga.
* Dr. Sherrod Willaford, substitute principal, North Springs Charter High School, Fulton County Schools, Ga.
* Dr. James E. Winbush, associate superintendent, Charleston County, S.C.
In February, prior to the launch of the director search, TSBA Executive Director Dr. Tammy Grissom cautioned board members that the process faced several challenges concerning the quantity and quality of available candidates.
"It's getting tougher," said Grissom, citing candidate pools of 15 or 20 applicants, amounting to half the number of previous years.
At that time, she named at least seven other Tennessee school districts seeking new superintendents, including Hamilton, Knox and Davidson counties.
The director search timetable calls for TSBA to recommend up to five candidates on May 2, with interviews to follow soon after. The school board has announced intentions to select a director no later than mid-June.
The school board also agreed that the director position should pay between $125,000 and $140,000 per year.
Cathy Goodman, the assistant director for the school system, was appointed to serve as interim director in February.
Contact staff writer Paul Leach at 423-757-6481 or pleach@timesfreepress.com.