The Search Continues For a New Hamilton County Superintendent

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn.(WDEF)- The search for a new superintendent will continue next week. That’s after the subject was discussed earlier this afternoon during a school board agenda meeting.

“I’m really looking for someone that can be a change agent, that’s what’s important to me,” said Greg Martin

Hamilton County School Board members have a tough decision to make when it comes to choosing the next superintendent.

David Testerman says, “Hamilton County has unique problems and what we have right now is probably one of the most critical junctures in what’s going to take place in Hamilton County education, probably for the last 40 years, and finding this next superintendent is going to be a very difficult job, very difficult.”

“We have just got to find–make a decision, choose a firm, get behind them and give them good direction. Let them know what we’re looking for as a superintendent.”

Before the position can be permanently filled, board members must first vote on a search firm that will help them find the best person for the job.

“I think we’ve got three good firms, and once we make that choice, give them some direction, we’ll see some action start to take place.”

Kirk Kelly has been the interim superintendent for Hamilton County for about six months now,

Kelly was appointed shortly after Rick Smith left his post, for being heavily criticized for the way he handled the Ooltewah rape allegations back in December of last year.

“There’s not people beating down our door to want to be the superintendent of our school system. It’s a huge job, huge job. So I hope we can agree on a search firm, that we can get behind a search firm, and that we start beginning to rebuild credibility within our county of the leadership of our schools.”

The school board is scheduled to vote on a firm during next Tuesday’s agenda meeting.