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Wlaf1450Lori Clemons is Elem. Supervisor, and Charlotte McCoy is Special Ed. Supervisor for Campbell Schools
JACKSBORO, TN (WLAF)- Two department heads within the Central Office of the Campbell County School System interviewed Friday to become the next director of schools; Lori Ann Clemons and Charlotte McCoy. Clemons has directed elementary education for seven years while McCoy is in her third year overseeing special education.
From a pool of 16 candidates, Clemons and McCoy emerged as the two finalists after Interim Director of Schools Nancy Lay withdrew her name from consideration last week.
The interviews took place on the dimly lit stage of the Campbell County High School Auditorium beginning with Clemons at 10am Friday. The audience of less than 20 individuals, comprised mostly of school personnel, strained to hear much of the proceedings, because the school board members and interviewees either did not speak into their microphones or use a mic at all.
The atmosphere was positive and upbeat. Clemons concluded her interview by 11am, and then there was a break followed by McCoy stepping behind the podium around 11:25am.
Each candidate spoke of their early days of being a student and took the audience through their education process and how they ended up in the Campbell County School System after graduation.
Clemons even shared a video presentation that included her class picture while attending Newcomb Elementary School. She has been employed by Campbell Schools for 27 years.
Joining Campbell Schools two years ago is McCoy who is a native of Corbin spending the balance of her career in special education and administration in the Barbourville Kentucky School System.
Each school board member asked two questions of each candidate, some asked three. The battery of questions was wide ranging under the umbrella of education, budgets, community and athletics. The candidates were well spoken and answered questions without hesitation with confident, well thought out responses reflecting their current roles in education and vast experience.
One of the questions posed to Clemons that came from 5th District School Board Member Ryne Cummins was about his fight to keep schools in his district open during tough budget times. “That’s been up in the air for a few years. Those schools are the heart of their communities where students are learning and teachers are teaching,” said Clemons. Clemons, coming from a school as a youngster, Newcomb, that fell to closure years ago named off some of the many schools that have closed over the years. “There may come a time when it’s not fiscally responsible to keep a school open, but that’s not my first option,” said Clemons.
When asked by Second District School Board Member Sharon Ridenour what she thought was the biggest challenge for the school district and how to correct it. “Culture, not budget. If we are teaching standards, a standards-based system, assessing progress and making adjustments, students can’t help but improve. However, we need to make sure we are using a research-based strategy,” said McCoy.
Given Interim Director of Schools Nancy Lay has taken a leave of absence, the board of education is moving to hire the new director at a quicker pace that perhaps planned. As a result, the Campbell Board of Education will meet in a special called meeting on Tue., April 7, 6pm, in upper courtroom of the courthouse at Jacksboro. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and take any necessary action regarding the appointment of Campbell County Director of Schools. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED-04/03/2026-2PM)