Linda Gilbert named next director of MCS on The Murfreesboro Post

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Linda Gilbert named next director of MCS

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By: MICHELLE WILLARD, Post Staff Writer

Posted: Thursday, December 3, 2009 8:22 pm

After a unanimous vote, Dr. Linda Gilbert is the next director of Murfreesboro City Schools.

“There is no more natural connection than we could have found than Dr. Linda Gilbert,” School Board member Ray Butrum said of the appointment.

With strong community support, Gilbert was selected from a field of more than 20 candidates that had been winnowed down to two – Lela Bridges and Gilbert – who vied for the top stop after Marilyn Mathis stepped down from the post in October for a job in the public sector.

“We have a wonderful tradition but this is not about the past but about the future,” Gilbert said to the assembled crowd. –

She then addressed the few children who were in the audience, “What is important and for you to know, this is about you.”

She said she looks forward to working with the teachers, administration and students, as well as Rutherford County Schools to make two “magnificent school systems.”

“I think we can do some special here …” she said “But we have some work to do and there is not a reason we cannot do what we need to do.”

Gilbert is a familiar face around Murfreesboro, having served as a professor at MTSU and administrator and teacher at MCS.

“The district has a rich and full past,” Gilbert wrote in her resume. “And I know that past like the back of my hand. But my decision to apply for this position, while grounded in the past, is focused on the future.”

As a former MCS employee, the 1997 Tennessee Teacher of the Year winner served as Community Relations coordinator, associate director of Instruction, and music teacher at Black Fox, Reeves-Rogers and Mitchell Neilson Elementary schools.

The board had kind words for Bridges calling her a strong candidate, but it was Gilbert’s community support and community connections that pushed her to the front.

“Tonight I voted for the individual candidate that had the strongest, most sound vision for our system of all the candidates,” Board member Nancy Duggin said.

Pick up a copy of Sunday’s Post for an in-depth look at Murfreesboro City Schools next director, Dr. Linda Gilbert.

Tagged under Linda Gilbert, Marilyn Mathis, MCS

Member Opinions:

By: Loglaze on 12/3/09
What a great day for the Murfreesboro City School system. Dr. Gilbert will move the school system forward. Many thanks to the board members that took the time to learn about both candidates and chose the one most worthy for our city.

By: abide on 12/4/09
Murfreesboro city school system what a waste, should be put under county system to save administrative costs.

By: schoolhousemom on 12/4/09
Congratulations to Dr. Gilbert and to the board who so wisely appointed her! The new year will be filled with incredible possibilities for everyone involved in Murfreesboro City Schools. Thank you!

By: Macgyver on 12/4/09
"The board had kind words for Bridges calling her a strong candidate, but it was Gilbert’s community support and community connections that pushed her to the front." Can we say more of the same?

By: greaterhands on 12/4/09
Another waste of taxpayer money. They knew the whole time who they would vote for. Instead of making themselves look good, they look stupid for wasting our money. It is time for a new board. Vote them out.