The Metro school board will pay a Chicago-based superintendent search firm the full $45,000 fee, despite failing to have a new director in place. Wednesday night, board member Will Pinkston suggested the district shouldn’t pay the remaining half that was owed since Mike Looney turned down the job in July and stayed in Williamson County.
But board member Tyese Hunter pricked the collective conscience of the panel.
“I’m just wondering, had Mr. Looney decided to take the offer, would we still be asking for money back?” she asked. “Character for us, at this point, is in question.”
The board split 4-5 in a vote to withhold payment, choosing — instead — to make good on the contract which expired in July.
Several board members had voiced disappointment in the vetting of candidates by Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates. The firm leads superintendent searches across the country. It was hired by the Los Angeles Unified School District just last week. But it’s doubtful the agency will be asked back to see through Nashville’s search, though the board won’t make any decisions until its retreat later this month.
Also at Wednesday night’s Metro school board meeting, Sharon Dixon Gentry was re-elected chairwoman, though in a half-hearted vote of five yeas and four abstentions.
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