Dr. Matthew Drinnon has been selected the new Director of Schools for the Greeneville City School System.
DR. MATTHEW DRINNON
HOW THEY VOTED
By a vote of 3-2, Drinnon was selected in a paper ballot vote of school board members at the School Board meeting Tuesday evening.
Board members Pam Botta, Josh Quillen and Dr. Craig Shepherd voted for Drinnon while board members Cindy Luttrell and Crystal Hirschy voted for Dr. Jason Horne.
DR. MATTHEW DRINNON
Dr. Matthew Drinnon is currently the Assistant Superintendent for Administration for Hamblen County and has been since 2025. He’s a former Human Resources Supervisor for Hamblen County from 2022 to 2025, an elementary principal from Hamblen from 2012 to 2022. He was a middle school Assistant Principal of Hamblen County from 2011 to 2012, a curriculum coordinator at Cocke County High School from 2010 to 2011 and a high school teacher in Cocke County in 2007 to 2010. He was also an elementary teacher in Hamblen County from 2000 to 2006, a middle school teacher in Hawkins County from 1998 to 2000 and a high school teacher in Kentucky from 1996 to 1997. He holds a Doctorate degree. Dr. Drinnon has 14 years experience as a teacher, two years as assistant principal, 10 years as a principal, four years as a central office and one year as an assistant superintendent.
WHAT’S NEXT
Two agenda items related to the search were approved during the meeting. They involved School Board Chair Josh Quillen entering into discussions and a contract with the new Director. Drinnon is tentatively schedule to begin his new duties May 1.
THE PROCESS
Three and a half months after the search for a new Director of the Greeneville School system officially began, that process ended Tuesday when the City Board of Education voted on a new Director.
It was one year ago that the school board extended the contract of current Director Steve Starnes through the end of the current school year. Starnes will be retiring after over 35 years in the education field.
It was on December 9th when the board voted to use the TSBA to assist in the search. TSBA met online with the board January 6th to discuss the process. A proposed schedule called for selection of the new Director March 24th, which by the way was Tuesday.
During a February 24th meeting at the Greeneville Career and Technical Academy, TSBA announced two candidates they recommended for interviews.
Dr. Jason Horne and Dr. Matthew Drinnon were involved in a public forum on March 10th and individual interviews with the school board the following day.
