Parker removed as director of schools, Curtis named as interim

The Cannon County Board of Education voted to removed Barbara Parker as director of schools at a special called meeting Thursday night at Woodbury Grammar School.

The vote was 3-2. Chairman Bruce Daniel along with Shelley Walkup and Javin Fann voted in favor of the motion made by Daniel to remove Parker as director, a position she has twice held. Daniel and Fann cited low TNReady test scores as the reason for their decision. Walkup did not make any statements during the meeting.

Board members Nathan Sanders and Tim Powers voted against the motion, which included transferring Parker to an English teacher position at Cannon County High School.

Parker said following the meeting she will have to consult with her attorney before deciding whether to accept a transfer.

The board also voted to install William F. (Freddy) Curtis as interim director of schools. The move will take effect immediately, Daniel said.

Curtis teaches U.S. Government and Sociology at the high school. He was not present at Thursday's meeting.

Curtis was the only person offered for consideration as interim director. Fann made the motion to name him. Daniel and Walkup cast votes in favor. Sanders and Powers voted no.

Parker's contract as director was set to expire next July. The board had until the end of December to let her know if she was going to be retained in that position. Parker must be paid her current director's salary if she decides to accept a transfer.