Brian’s Blog has received a tip that the two “outside” finalists for Knox County School Superintendent were treated to one on one meetings with Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam. It was not until the Board Chair was informed of the “secretive rendezvous” that James McIntyre and Brian Bingelli were then taken to the Knox County Mayor’s office to meet with the County Mayor, Mike Ragsdale. Ragsdale recommends to the county commission (the funding body) the amount for the General Operating and Capital budgets for Knox County Schools.

At first the board chair said that the candidates were meeting all elected officials in a large group setting, once the board chair realized that Mayor Haslam had a one on one. The schedule changed to include Mayor Ragsdale the one Mayor that recommends the funding level for schools.

Why was Knox County’s internal finalist, Robert Thomas not treated to a one on one with Mayors Haslam and Ragsdale?

Is the fix in?