The Trousdale County Board of Education voted to approve an employment contract with Jennifer Cottley as the district's new director of schools, passing the motion 4-1 during the board's meeting. The board said the contract was negotiated during a Tuesday work session and was reviewed by the board's attorney before the vote.

Board members said the contract reflected minor edits recommended by counsel. At the meeting, Cottley indicated she would accept the offered contract, saying, “Yes, sir.”

The board chair (presiding official) opened the vote by calling for those in favor; the motion carried 4-1, according to the meeting record. Board members thanked staff and the attorney for the quick turnaround to finalize the contract after the work session.

Board members asked whether language copied from board policy — relating to nepotism — had been revised for inclusion in the contract; board discussion characterized the change as a minor wording correction and not substantive. The board did not publicly discuss the contract's salary, term length, or other financial specifics during the meeting.

The action follows earlier interviews and the work session in which the board reviewed applicants and negotiated terms. The board president noted the board's desire to finalize the appointment promptly after the prior session and legal review, and members expressed appreciation for the expedited process.

The board took no additional public motions altering the contract at the meeting. The motion to approve the employment contract was moved and seconded and carried by a 4-1 tally recorded by the presiding official.

Looking ahead, the board said they will proceed with onboarding per the terms of the approved contract. The meeting contained other items—budget and facilities matters were also addressed—but the contract approval was the only personnel action requiring a roll-call tally shown in the record.