Ex-superintendent wants a say in way Putnam schools are run

Photo: Chip Ellis Former Putnam County schools Superintendent Sam Sentelle is now a candidate for the county's school board. His campaign will be the first since his run for student senate at the University of Tennessee in the 1960s.

TEAYS VALLEY - Sam Sentelle says that he may pick up a new title if he is elected to the Putnam County school board, but the passion for the education system that carried him through 35 years in school systems will not change.

When he became a candidate for one of four soon-to-be vacant Putnam County school board seats, Sentelle said he did it for a simple reason: to vote.

"All those years in education and I've never had a vote," Sentelle said.

As Putnam County's past superintendent, a post he held for 15 years, he frequently took heat from the public about the board's decisions, even though he had little say about what took place. As an administrator, Sentelle carried out the board's requests.

But he could rarely speak out. After all, the board members held his employment contract in their hands.

In 2004, Sentelle said he was somewhat frustrated with the ways the school system, and the county's school board, were handling issues. Despite its success in growth and test scores, the county was in a redistricting controversy that eventually died out without changes to where students went to school.

Early into the redistricting debate and as his contract was expiring, Sentelle, 63, asked board members not to renew his contract. He isn't saying whether that issue was the reason for his request, but he said it was a good time.

"I had a deep difference with the board at the time," Sentelle said.

As of Tuesday afternoon, Sentelle was the only prospective board member. He expects more to follow.

"What has happened in Putnam County schools in the last 15 years, I want to see it continue," Sentelle said.

Only board Vice President Jack Coyner, a former assistant superintendent under Sentelle, is not up for re-election this year. And Chuck Hatfield, Sentelle's replacement as superintendent, is still under contract until 2008.

The prospect of working with old colleagues is appealing to Sentelle. He said other board members, with whom he may not have seen eye-to-eye on past issues, have also done good work.

"It's nothing personal against any of them," Sentelle said. "I just want the chance to speak up about education."

Seats held by board members Jeff Cox, Debbie Phillips, Craig Spicer and William "Butch" Legg are up for a vote in May.

Sentelle is a community schools supporter, which would bode well with Putnam County voters who despise the word consolidation. Current board members have also accepted that idea and are considering a plan to add an elementary school in the Teays Valley and Scott Depot area.

Sentelle hopes the county can continue its successes without seeking a bond to pay for the county's school buildings.

He said his goals as a school board member will be to vote to improve school buildings like the aging Poca Middle School and crowded Winfield Middle School.

"I thought at one time in my life about becoming a Methodist minister. I felt it was a calling. I feel educating is a calling too, but with education I can touch so many more lives," he said.