Hamblen County School Board Makes Controversial Hire

The Hamblen County Board of Education made a couple controversial moves last night in hiring a new Superintendent of schools. Until last night anyone hired for superintendent of schools in Hamblen County had to have educational experience. Last night, the Board of Education took an emergency move to remove that qualification. Normally that would have been done in two readings, but the board did so with an emergency vote and passed that measure by a vote of 6-1. The board then immediately turned around and voted by that same 6-1 majority to hire General Arnold W. Bunch Jr. as the new Director of Schools for Hamblen County. Bunch has no prior educational experience but according to the board has strong leadership skills that will be a benefit to the school system. Many parents were upset about the hire while others were willing to give the move a chance. The Hamblen County School District is among the top 20 largest school districts in the state with over 10,000 students and nearly 700 teachers. General Bunch was not in attendance last night when the board voted to hire him. Bunch will take over as the superitendent in July.