Progress Made In Hardin Co. Superintendent Search
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There is progress in the process to replace indicted Hardin County Director of Schools John Thomas. Just last week, the school board held a specially called meeting where they voted to suspend Thomas with pay, but only after they found an interim director. On Thursday, they met again and named a potential replacement, but board members said it could take a few weeks since they are trying to make the transition as smooth as possible. It took two meetings Thursday for the Hardin County school board to name a candidate for interim superintendent. “This meeting next Tuesday is simply an interview process to determine if she is indeed interested and if indeed the board would be interested in further consideration of her,” said Chairman David Long. Their only candidate so far is Wanda Johnston, who was born and raised in Hardin County, and was most recently superintendent for the Wayne County school district for three years. Her job interview is next Tuesday, but if it does not go well? “Then we would once again begin the search process,” Long said. At the meeting, board members were concerned how the transition will impact principal evaluations and graduations. According to Long, diplomas will still be valid, even though they bear Thomas’ signature, and no one can take over until he or she signs a contract – even if they are approved by the board. “Whether it’s Ms. Johnston, whoever it is, it allows us some time to get all our ducks in a row and that’s when I’d make the phone call to the chairman and say, ‘Mr. Chairman, to my knowledge, I think everything is in order,'” Thomas said. Once the interim director takes over, Thomas said his attorney said he can have no contact with the district. He will be suspended with pay until the case is resolved. If all goes well at Tuesday’s interview, the board will vote Johnston in in its regularly scheduled meeting, April 16.
