The Dickson County School Board approved a contract extension for the director of schools during their April 24 meeting. The board also discussed the presence of news media as instructional aids in the classroom and a change in policy for out-of-county students.
The school board approved a three-year contract extension for Dickson County Schools Director of Schools Dr. Christie Southerland, including a 2 percent pay increase. Southerland was hired last year on a one-year contract with a $145,000 salary plus a transportation allowance. She filled the position after the departure of longstanding director of schools Dr. Danny Weeks, who served for 11 years before assuming the role of director of Robertson County Schools.
Southerland said of her first year, “I really enjoy getting to know each of the board members. Of course, we have two new board members that I’m getting to know, Ms. Robyn Lampley and Ms. Sherry Thiel. They have taught me things to look at through their wisdom and sitting on the board. I think one of the things that I have found most beneficial is going and having a planning retreat and really getting to know who they are and what components that they really represent and pull tightly to them, So, that’s been great.”…