Watkins’ first year as Director of Schools, evaluation, earns BOE contract extension

Tim Watkins, who was named a year ago to replace Dr. Leah Watkins as Director of Schools for Obion County’s system, has received his first evaluation from school board members, with the data released on Monday, and as a result of his performance and the evaluation, a contract extension was approved for Watkins.

School Board members Fritz Fussell, Brian Rainey, Tim Britt, Keisha Hooper, Barry Adams, Jared Poore and Kyle Baggett gave Watkins an overall average of 3.658, on a scale of 1-5, with 5 the highest possible score in 23 different categories.

The first item on Monday night’s Board of Education meeting at the central office in Union City, Watkins’ contract was approved for an additional year, to add to the remaining two years of his original three-year contract.

“I think Mr. Watkins has done a good job, as much of a challenge this first year has been,” said BOE Chair Fritz Fussell, adding “It’s been a good first year and I look forward to many more. I have heard nothing but positive feedback from staff and the community.”

Fussell noted Watkins had now become a resident of Obion County, having relocated, which showed a commitment on his part.

Each board member ranked Watkins’ performance in those categories, 1-5, with totals combined for an average in each category, then a total ranking overall.

In the “Keeps the board informed on issues, needs, operations of school system” category, Watkins received one 5, five 4’s and one 3, for an average of 4.

For “interprets and executes board policy”, Watkins received four 4’s, three 3’s, for an average of 3.57.

The Director received three 5’s, two 3’s and two 2’s for “strives for respect”, averaging 4.14 and an average of 3.285 for “community involvement”, earning one 5 and six 3’s.

Watkins was ranked with one 5, two 4’s and four 3’s, for an average of 3.571 in “encourages loyalty to the school system.”

As to “delegates assignments to staff members as appropriate”, Watkins received four 4’s and three 3’s, for an average of 3.571, and for “recommends salary”, he received five 3’s and two 4’s for an average of 3.285.

For “effective program of staff accountability”, the board issued four 4’s and three 3’s, for an average of 3.571.

“Keeps informed of needs” category resulted in the issue of one 5, three 4’s and three 3’s, for a 3.714 average; and as to “supervises operations, control of funds”, Watkins received five 4’s, and two 3’s for an average of 3.714.

“Maintains high standard of ethics” produced an average of 4, with five 4’s and two 3’s earned from the board.

An average of 3.857 was accumulated for “demonstrates ability to work well with individuals”, resulting from scores of four 4’s, one 5 and two 3’s, and “poise and emotional stability” rankings were at five 4’s, one 5 and one 3, averaging in at 4.

Watkins received an average score of 3.887 for “clearly establishes, reports to board re: projects”, given scores of two 5’s, two 4’s and three 3’s and as to “maintains active presence” Watkins scored an average of 4, receiving two 5’s, three 4’s and two 3’s.

In the category of “vigorously seeks ways to provide high quality personnel dedicated”, Watkins garnered an average of 3.428, with four 3’s and three 4’s and earned seven 4’s averaging 4, for “provide and maintain a safe environment.”

He scored an average of 3.428 for “promote development of responsible citizens”, with four 3’s and three 4’s and for “reasonable yearly progress in achievement scores” he averaged a 3.285, with two 4’s and five 3’s.

For “reasonable yearly progress in TVAAS, his average was 3.285, with five 3’s and two 4’s and for reasonable yearly progress in vocational program, his score was averaged at 3.714, from three 4’s, one 5 and three 3’s.

As to reasonable yearly progress in graduation rates, Watkins scored an average of 3.285, from two 4’s and five 3’s and for “promotes advocacy and participation in public education” the Director accumulated an average of 3.57, earning one 5, two 4’s and four 3’s.