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October 06, 2007
Director of Schools Causes Uproar
In this week's The Portland Progressive, Josh Nelson reports on a hiring decision made by the Director of Schools, Benny Bills, that has the School Board, as well as the County Commission in an uproar. Commissioner Cummings even went so far as to suggest, "I think we need to consider getting a new Director of Schools."
It was reported that less than 11 hours after the school board created a new position by combining two departments, Benny Bills had selected, and hired Steve Nichols as the Assistant Director of Schools for Faculties.
Mr. Nichols is the husband of Rachel Nichols who is the Sumner County Finance Director.
While many believe that there will not be a "conflict of interest", they are basically stunned that the position was filled almost instantly and that Mr. Nichols reported to work the following morning.
Even after reviewing Mr. Nichols' resume, many disagree that he is properly qualified for the position. This is based on the education and experience the Board had determined that the ideal candidate would possess.
I hope you are able to to read the article since I do not have enough space to adequately relay the entire story.
Posted by Michelle Hanners at October 6, 2007 10:21 AM
Comments
oops sorry y'all, i took it back off, it dealt with a distance issue on a beer permit, i found out today that it was just over the limit, so all is good! sorry! was no reason to leave it :o)
Posted by: Jody at October 8, 2007 08:44 PM
Chances are Jody probably removed it, maybe something came up that changed the situation, or it was too lengthy, or maybe he was in the heat of the moment when he placed it here and decided not to after the fact.... don't know..... I know it wasn't posted too long and last time I seen it there were not comments.
Posted by: Judy at October 8, 2007 08:05 PM
I saw that this morning, but it didn't last long here. The next time I came back to the blog, it had disappeared !!
It was quite a lengthy post.....would really like to know where it went, too !
Posted by: DeeAnna at October 8, 2007 07:32 PM
curious..
there was a large post today by Jody Mcdowell talking once again again about beer.
who deleted it?
jody?
admin?
why?
Posted by: qwerty at October 8, 2007 06:49 PM
Funny....they can afford to pay the salary of a new employee but the county can't afford to have the pre-K program the state offers. We are the only county that does not have it.
Posted by: DebraP at October 8, 2007 12:33 PM
I think it's a shame that the main focus of the school board does not seem to be the actual education of children. It seems to be another area where personal politics run the show, and whoever dies with the most titles after his name, wins.
How incredibly sad.
Posted by: DA at October 8, 2007 08:42 AM
Nothing new about corruption and nepotism in the county government! It happens all the time and just gets swept under the rug and anyone who tries to do anything about it, just gets branded as a troublemaker.
Posted by: Just a guy.... at October 7, 2007 05:21 PM
Nothing new about nepo
Posted by: Just a guy.... at October 7, 2007 11:57 AM
FISHY INDEED!!!!....
I think we should go back to where we VOTE on a Director of Schools/ Superintendent like we did years ago. As it is now, he is "placed" in there.. We talk about how Portland has a good ole boy network...well, there is NOTHING like the good ole boy network that is the Sumner County Board of Education. I find it funny how Mr. Bills, Merrol Hyde, and others have their names on schools across the county. Didn't this honor use to be reserved for people who served in the past, or left a profound legacy on a community/ area? The fact that Benny Bills, Merrol Hyde, and HB Williams and others such as these individuals have their names on schools just shows what is going on amongst our Sumner County Board of Education....Husbands and wives holding positions, you name it...I am dissappointed that the News Examiner didn't make this a front page story like the Gallatin Newspaper did. This is very fishy, and people should start to question our local officials about this.
Posted by: Mack at October 6, 2007 11:56 PM