Schools chief search down to 3

Board to begin reviews after Metro finalists announced today By Jennifer Brooks • THE TENNESSEAN • December 2, 2008 The Metro Nashville school board will begin examining tonight three finalists for the job of director of schools. The three, whose names will be released this morning, were found after a yearlong search for qualified candidates who were willing to take a difficult job with an uncertain future. Looming over the search was the fact that Nashville Mayor Karl Dean could take over Metro schools next fall unless test scores improve — a fact that made some candidates leery of even putting in an application. About 23 candidates applied for the job of running the Nashville schools, and an additional 18 turned in partial applications. Even more prospective superintendents were approached about the job, but declined. William Attea, who conducted the search on Metro's behalf, said he approached "a large number" of candidates, trying to interest them in the post, "but there was some reluctance, given the situation." Dean had asked the board to appoint an interim schools director until the next round of test results come out in the spring, but the board is pushing ahead with plans to appoint a permanent replacement for former Director Pedro Garcia, who resigned in January. The three candidates' resumes will be presented to the board tonight, and interviews with the candidates themselves will begin on Saturday, Attea said. The board, he said, will probably announce its final choice sometime between the middle and the end of December.