Christmas comes early to principals

The bigger-than-normal crowd at Monday night's City Commission meeting was on its best behavior before the mayor hit the gavel and got things going.

Turns out most of the individuals filling the right-hand corner of the board room weren't citizens upset over last month's rise in sewer rates, or Boy Scouts working on government merit badges.

Every principal of a Brentwood public school was on hand to receive a gift from the city -- gifts in the forms of checks approved as part of the 2009-2010 fiscal year budget.

Maintaining excellence in our local schools is a priority, Mayor Betsy Crossley said, as she shared that over the years the city has donated more than $3.6 million to local schools. This year's donation totals $225,000 "or almost a quarter of a million dollars."

Each elementary school principal received a check for $10,000, while each middle school principal was handed an envelope with a $15,000 one. Kevin Keidel and Dr. Pam Vaden, principals of Brentwood and Ravenwood high schools respectively, each gratefully accepted checks written out for $60,000.

Keidel said he wanted to thank the board "not only for the donation, but for all your support." He specifically mentioned the city's recent ban on guns in city parks which allowed schools to continue to use park facilities for school athletics and other programming. Brentwood High, which is just completing a $3.8 million renovation, will use the money to buy computers for its new library, he said.

In addition to the principals, school board members Pat Anderson, Susan Graham and Terry Leve, who all represent Brentwood districts, attended.

Happy Birthday Mrs. Graham

Speaking of the school board, Graham sure earned some brownie points for being there. The mayor noted to one and all that it was Graham's 50th birthday. She had delayed celebrating with her family in order to see the check presentations.

I knew I liked that woman. But gosh, I would have sworn she was 38 like me.

Five new finalists for WCS superintendent

Position, not Heath, previously banned from applying
Five new finalists have emerged in the search for a new Williamson County Schools superintendent. They include: Barry Carroll of Athens, Ala.; Dennis Dearden of Oro Valley, Ariz.; David Heath of Brentwood; Mike Looney of Greenville, Ala.; and James Wilson of Atlanta. Two have Williamson County ties.
Heath currently serves as interim superintendent. Wilson has previously worked for the district and oversaw Centennial High School's construction.
I was out of town and could not attend Monday night's called board meeting, but have emailed Brentwood school board reps Pat Anderson (board chair), Susan Graham and Terry Leve for comments. Williamson A.M. education reporter Maria Giordano has posted a short story online with details, http://tinyurl.com/WCsklbrd.
After the July 13 Brentwood City Commission meeting, Graham and Anderson also clarified for me a misunderstanding by some concerning Heath's application. It has been reported that Heath personally was barred from applying for the job during the search's first round. In truth, the board decided -- before Heath was named interim superintendent -- that whomever held that position could not apply. There were concerns that an internal candidate would be perceived as being preferred over outside ones, which could dissuade others from applying.
On May 11, after rejecting the first two finalists brought forward by the search firm Ray and Associates, the board voted to allow the long-time Williamson County educator to apply along with other candidates during a second search.