Chamber Statement regarding Director of Schools and School Board
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (April 10, 2019) – The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce released the following statement regarding the school board’s vote to buy Director of Schools, Shawn Joseph, out of his contract. This decision, in addition to School Board member Will Pinkston’s resignation leaves Nashville with two crucial roles to fill for Metro Nashville Public Schools.
As the search begins to fill these positions, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce urges Metro Council to identify a school board appointee with the qualities needed for an effective school board.
“We believe this appointee should have a commitment to high standards for student achievement, understand the role and responsibilities of a school board member, and a focus on students first, collaboration and respect always,” says Dr. Samantha Perez, Director of Education Initiatives, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce.
The Chamber is ready to support Dr. Adrienne Battle as she steps into her role as interim Director. “We are concerned about the impact these immediate transitions will have on students, teachers, and staff as they near the end of the school year,” says Ralph Schulz, president and CEO of the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce. “We know how critical stability in leadership is for yielding positive results and advancing student progress. Progress cannot be delayed with the onboarding and orientation of a new Director.”
Further, the Chamber urges the school board to create and communicate its vision for MNPS in order to identify a strong Director candidate with qualifications to carry MNPS forward. “The 85,000 students of MNPS need and deserve strong leadership,” says Schulz.
Media contacts:
Dawn Cornelius
615-743-3068
dcornelius@nashvillechamber.com
About Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Partnership 2020
The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce is Middle Tennessee’s largest business federation, representing more than 2,000 member companies. Belong, engage, lead, prosper embodies the Chamber's focus on creating economic prosperity by facilitating community leadership. Established in 1990 as an economic development and community enhancement initiative of the Chamber, Partnership 2020 is a regional cooperative dedicated to making Middle Tennessee among the nation’s best places to live, work and do business. Partnership 2020 is supported by a diverse group of public and private companies as well as governmental agencies from the organization’s 10-county service area. The work of the Chamber is supported by its members, Partnership 2020 investors and sponsors; the Chamber’s Pivotal Partners (a partnership at the highest level for all Chamber programs and events) are Delek US Holdings, Bass, Berry & Sims, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, Community Health Systems, Gresham Smith and Regions. For more information, visit www.nashvillechamber.com.