Dr. Kirk Kelly interviews for superintendent position

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — Interviews for the Hamilton County Schools Superintendent position wrapped up on Friday with the only candidate from the area.

Interim superintendent Dr. Kirk Kelly had a jam packed day going through the interview process to be superintendent of Hamilton County Schools. Dr. Kelly says the school board did their best to keep the itinerary as similar as possible between all the candidates.

“Now since we are on a four day work week, there was no school visit, but I have been to all of the schools. So we had the lunch-in and I also went and met with teachers that were doing staff development today, similar to what the other candidates did. And the process was the same with elected officials, stakeholders and then with community members,” Dr. Kelly said.

After meeting and answering questions from community members, Dr. Kelly was interviewed by the school board.
One topic was struggling schools. Dr. Kelly says in the past, there have been some schools who have been removed from under performing lists.

“We have had some success. We do still have some struggles in terms of that. One of the things that we are trying to do everything we can to provide strength and support for the administration,” Dr. Kelly said.

As for the states proposed plan with the five IZone schools, he says there would have to be some changes made.

“One of the things we have to do is with the partnership zone is it is not legal now. So if we have to change the law, here is what you do, you change the law to make it in the best interest of all,” Dr. Kelly said.

He says he initially took on the interim superintendent job and now wants to go for the superintendent position, because of his vested interest in the community.

“Coming in and dealing with the tragedies and everything and brought about the change and then still at the same time saying we’ve got an obligation to educate theses students and move them forward,” Dr. Kelly said.

The school board will vote on who becomes the next superintendent on June 15.