With Director of Schools Bobby Cox announcing his retirement last week, School Board members met Wednesday night to determine a job description for the position. They increased the minimum requirement to at least a master’s degree.

Prior to the meeting, only a bachelor’s degree was required.

School Board member James Bennett recommended changing the requirements to a more advanced degree.

“An EdS is, of course, a degree above a master’s and the EdD is a doctoral degree,” explained Bennett at the specially called meeting. “Most of the systems around us have at least an EdS for their director. I think the quality of candidates that we would receive with an EdS or and EdD would give us a good quality of people to look at.”

Most of the School Board members were in partial agreement and shared their opinions.

“I’m in favor of the EdS by all means, but I also feel like a master’s degree with five years’ experience can also be beneficial,” said Tanya Bess. “Master’s with five years administrative experience or EdS say with two years’ experience … What do you think?”

Added Bill Zechman, “When it comes to experience, this is a $50 million a year operation. We are burning through $1 million a week. I think there ought to be some recognition of experience in fiscal management and government because everything we do is subject to state law and regulations.”

Added Helen Martin, “You know, we want to do it correctly but we do have a timeframe so we have to have some good qualifications, but I don’t think we need to make them so stiff. Bobby, you didn’t have a doctorate.”

When asked by the School Board to share his thoughts, Cox described his experience.

“No, I didn’t have a doctorate. I had an EdS coming in,” said Cox. “I felt like I was prepared. I went through prospective superintendent courses and a lot of training coming in but until you sit in the chair, you don’t fully understand.”

Cox went on to explain that there is a lot of oversight in the role of Director of Schools including fiscal consultants with the state department and county along with auditors for the financial portion of the job.

Bennett reiterated his original recommendation, “We require in this system that they have at least a master’s degree for a principal. I still think we need someone with at least an EdS and there’s a lot of quality people in our system who have an EdS.”

A motion by Zechman in amendment to Bennett’s recommendation was unanimously approved by the board. The educational requirements for the Director of Schools position will require a minimum of a master’s degree, with an EdS or EdD preferred, and a minimum of three years of relevant experience.

Cox also shared his opinion on salary which is determined by the board.

“It’s not going to hurt my feelings if you to keep the salary where it is, or above, to get a quality person,” said Cox.

The job will be posted on the Warren County School district’s website from Feb. 10-28 for applicants to apply online. The board will review applications the week of March 2 before coming together for a called board meeting March 9 to discuss and chose whom to interview.