At first there were about 20 and now there are 4. The search for a new Rutherford County Schools Director to replace Harry Gill, Jr. who is leaving at the end of June has been narrowed down to 4 candidates. Those candidates include two Rutherford County assistant superintendents by the names of  Paula Barnes, who oversees human resources and student services, and Don Odom, who is in charge of curriculum and instruction. The other two perspective directors of schools are from areas outside of Rutherford County. They include Stan Curtis, assistant superintendent of transportation, maintenance and custodial services for Cheatham County Schools and Donna Wright, who ironically holds the same job title as Odom at Knox County Schools.

The four finalist will be interviewed in April.