Teachers union: Reference opposes Metro schools chief finalist
At least one of the references listed by a controversial candidate for Metro Nashville Public Schools director wouldn't actually recommend the candidate, which should raise another red flag about the candidate, says the local teachers unions.
The Metro Nashville Education Association says John Covington, one of the four finalists to lead Nashville schools, listed at least one reference on his application that doesn't check out. Erik Huth, president-elect of the local teachers union, said in a statement Wednesday that questions arose after the union called Andrea Flinders, head of the Kansas City teachers union. Covington previously worked in Kansas City and listed the local union leader there as one of his many references.
"We called the president of the Kansas City local about the reference and she laughed, thinking it was absurd," Huth said in a news release.
"She had not been asked by Covington to be a reference and had not been contacted by the search firm to verify her name being used. She was clear she would not recommend him for the job. This raises even more questions about the validity of the search and the documents supplied to the board."
Flinders didn't immediately return a message left by The Tennessean.
Asked about Flinders not recommending Covington, Covington said, "OK." In a brief telephone interview Wednesday morning, Covington said he would be happy to answer media questions after he interviewed with the Nashville school board.
"Before I can talk with the media, I at least need to give the members of the board an opportunity to interview me," Covington said.
Bill Attea, executive search partner with search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates, didn't immediately return a message seeking comment. He defended his firm's work in Nashville and in general during a recent interview with The Tennessean.
"We've not batted 1.000," Attea said Tuesday. "We've made mistakes, and some we've Teachers union: Reference opposes Metro schools chief finalist:
