Tuesday, May 23, 2006

Superintendent Of Schools - The School Budget Is Not A Priority

The following memo was received in the Knox County Commission yesterday.

For: All Members of the Knox County Commission

From: Charles Lindsey, Superintendent of Knox County Schools

Date: May 22, 2006

Subject: County Commission Budget Hearings

I am extremely pleased that the County Commission has opted to conduct a budget hearing as part of this year's budget process, and I want to do all that I can to support the process.

Unfortunately, I will be unable to attend the May 24 meeting to represent the school system's budget needs. About a year ago, I committed to conduct a training seminar in Jackson, Tennessee for the Tennessee School Boards Association on that date. Due to the large number of superintendents and school board members who have registered to attend this training, I cannot change it at this late date.

Deputy Superintendent Roy Mullins and Finance Director Ron MacPherson will represent me and the school system and present our budget request. They will be able to answer your questions, and will brief me on your concerns or comments.

Thank you for your consideration in this matter, and I look forward to meeting with you in the future.

This is an exact copy of what was sent to the Commission office.

A couple of thoughts. 1) Lindsey misspelled one of his employees names. Does he not know the correct spelling of their names? 2) He has spent a considerable amount of time, interviewing and applying for at least three other superintendent jobs and now the school budget is not his priority. It would be different, if the School Board had Mr. Mullins or Mr. McPherson as their employees. They are the Superintendent's employees. The Superintendent is the only employee of the school board. 3) The failure of the Superintendent to attend the school districts budget hearing and failure to make the school budget request a priority with the County Commission demonstrates a lack of keeping the main thing, The Main Thing. His absence speaks volumes.

2 comments:

Steve Mule said...

Mr. Hornback,
Do you ever wish you were back on the school board?

SteveMule

Brian Hornback said...

No.