UPDATE 3/3/26. The original video had the ending cut off, this is the full video: https://youtu.be/lm_lVhaok64
The search for Smith County’s next Director of Schools continued Saturday, Feb. 28, as the Smith County Board of Education interviewed the four remaining candidates at the district’s central office.
Those interviewed were Tim Towns, Elizabeth Lackey, John Ash, and Bobby Storie. The four are now the only candidates under consideration after the two other applicants previously selected for interviews withdrew their names from the process.
Prior to the interviews, the board asked that Smith County Insider not live-stream the proceedings. Board members said the request was made to maintain fairness in the process, explaining they did not want candidates tuning in during the interviews to observe how other candidates performed or responded to specific questions.
Earlier this month, the board had voted during a special-called meeting to advance six applicants to the interview stage. With two candidates removing their names from consideration, Saturday’s interviews focused solely on the remaining four finalists.
The board has agreed to use a standardized interview format to ensure consistency for each candidate. Members have also set a minimum salary of $130,000 for the position and approved a three-year contract term. A more detailed discussion of benefits is expected as the field narrows further.
The process will continue in the coming weeks. On March 9, the board plans to narrow the field from four candidates to three. Those three finalists will then return for a second round of interviews on March 16. A final decision on Smith County’s next Director of Schools is expected to be made at the board’s regular monthly meeting on March 17.
Smith County Insider will continue to follow the process and provide updates as they become available.
https://youtu.be/lm_lVhaok64
Link to video of the interviews: https://youtu.be/lm_lVhaok64
