The DeKalb County Board of Education chose Dr. Danielle Collins to become the interim Director of

Schools at a special called meeting Thursday night.

The Board voted 5-2 to name Collins to the post until a permanent director is chosen to replace the recently retired Mark Willoughby. Collins, Federal Programs Supervisor for the school system since 2008, will serve in a dual role, retaining that position while acting as interim director. She will receive a $2,000 per month supplement in addition to her current salary.

While two members, Jerry Wayne Johnson and Danny Parkerson, both men said after the meeting that they had no problem with Collins they felt that if the person named interim director was allowed to apply for the position on a permanent basis it might give them a "leg up" on other applicants.

Dr. Collins said after the meeting that while she has made no decision on applying for the position of director.

Meanwhile, the board will have to come to an agreement on the details of a process of searching for a director. According to board policy, they apparently have the option to allow the interim director to apply for the job, but a member of the board is not eligible.

The policy reads: "An interim director of schools appointed during the time of a search shall not become a candidate unless the Board expressly permits such inclusion in the selection procedures. A board member may not apply for or in any other way be considered for the position of director of schools."

Concerning the search for a new director, the policy reads: "Prior to conducting a search to fill the position, the Board shall initially develop the following:

• A job description.

• A timeline.

• A process for accepting and reviewing applications.

• Selection procedures."

Collins graduated from MTSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education K-8 in December 1999. She earned a Master of Arts Education degree in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Tech University in May 2002. In August 2003, Dr. Collins earned her Ed.S degree in Instructional Leadership from Tennessee Tech. She obtained an Ed.D Education degree in Administration and Supervision from Tennessee State University in May 2007.

She began her career with the local school system as a fourth-grade classroom teacher at Northside Elementary School from August 2000 to February 2008.

Among her many professional accomplishments, Collins has served as an Adjunct Professor at Tennessee Tech since January 2013, is currently a member of the Upper Cumberland Reading Foundation board of directors, and is Chair of the Upper Cumberland Federal Programs Supervisor Committee.