NEGOTIATIONS TO COMMENCE BETWEEN OBION COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD AND MCKENZIE HIGH SCHOOL PRINCIPAL TIMOTHY WATKINS

Obion County School Board members Fritz Fussell, Keisha Hooper, Brian Rainey, Tim Britt, Barry Adams, Jared Poore and Kyle Baggett conducted a second interview with two candidates for the Director of Schools position Monday night at Obion County Central High School Library, Dr. Gary Gibson and Timothy Watkins, with Watkins receiving a five to two vote in favor of negotiations set to begin with the McKenzie High School Principal, possibly this week.

On a ballot vote, at the convened school board meeting following the conclusion of the two interviews, well attended by parents, faculty and citizens, Fussell and Poore voted in favor of Dr. Gibson, while Rainey, Hooper, Britt, Adams and Baggett voted for Watkins.

Board chair Fussell told those in attendance he hoped to begin the negotiations as soon as possible, to work toward a special called meeting for the board to review and discuss findings rendered from the negotiations with Watkins. He also stated he was sure, regardless of each board member's vote, the board as a whole would support the successful candidate "100%".

A native of McKenzie, Tenn., Timothy M. Watkins records 25 years of experience in education, spending the past 16 years as a high school and middle school principal.

He earned his Bachelor of Science in Education, from the University of Tennessee at Martin, with a major in Physical Education and a minor in Biology, his Master of Education from Tennessee State University in Nashville, Tenn. with a Major in Administration and Supervision, and Educational Specialist from Tennessee State University with a Major in Administration and Supervision.

He has supervised the day to day activities of 37 staff members and approximately 400 students as McKenzie High School Principal, a school which consistently ranked as one of the top schools for achievement in the state, a two time Reward School, with a 95% graduation rate and Best Student Attendance Rate in Northwest Core Region.

Prior to that post, he served as Principal of Lewis County Middle School, as well as high school teacher and coach and middle school teacher and coach.

In his letter accompanying his resume submission, Watkins stated "My background helps me to understand the culture of rural West Tennessee and the challenges that face rural schools. My experiences, both personally and professionally have given me the ability to effectively communicate with stakeholders from different backgrounds. I believe an effective leader must be able and willing to communicate. Regular, two-way open lines of communication are essential to organizational success. An effective Director of Schools is willing to listen to others, seeks input from stakeholders and makes informed decisions that are in the best interest of the students, staff and community."