Greenfield Principal Jeff Cupples selected as new Director of WCS

Story by Shannon Taylor Senior Investigative Reporter

Greenfield Principal Jeff Cupples was selected unanimously by the school board as the next Director of Weakley County Schools. Although Cupples won’t officially start until July 1 when current Director of WCS, Randy Frazier, retires, Cupples told the Press, “It’s time to roll up my sleeves and get to work to continue the great work that our county is already doing and then also finding those areas we can get to the next level on.”

Cupples stated that he was, “Blessed and honored that they put their trust in me to lead their school system.”

Cupples will need to find a replacement for his position as Principal of Greenfield Schools for which he has served the past four years. He previously served as Assistant Principal at Chester County High School for seven years.

The three other candidates that were up for the Director position were Chris Lensing, Lee Lawrence and Betsi Foster. Chair Steve Vantrease told the board that Lensing removed his name from consideration earlier that morning due to a conflict with his school system.

Sam Jackson, attorney for the school board, had all members write a name down on a piece of paper and counted to see if the board had a majority of six for votes for any one candidate. The first showed that five cast Cupples name, four cast Fosters and one cast Lawrence. Without a majority six, the board decided to do it again this time with six for Cupples, two for Foster and one for Lee. The board then moved forward with Cupples as their selection to vote on and the vote was unanimous from all members of the board.

Before the board voted on the Director, Vantrease said that they all had a very important decision to make that afternoon which would greatly affect the county, communities and the children in Weakley County. “The weight of our decision is heavy, but I cannot stress too much how I appreciate your work and your support and the care you’ve shown in this process.”

Vantrease said much information and input was received during the process and thanked everyone for their diligence. He said that at the end of the day that two candidates were going to be unhappy with the decision made and he wanted them to know that “we are Weakley String because of the work they currently do and we will depend upon them to continue to help us stay Weakley Strong by continuing to work, thrive, but under new direction.”

Vantrease said that they would all embrace the new leadership and move forward. Suggestions that Vantrease received for Cupples contract included a contract of three years, professional certification allowance for transition, residency requirement allowance for transportation if needed, the exact salary to be negotiated based on experience, automobile entitlements of $6,000 a year and an assumption of duties.

The next regularly scheduled School Board meeting will be held on Thursday, April 6 at 5 pm at Martin Middle School.