MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. — One of the top three candidates for the Monroe County Director of Schools position is currently under investigation by her former school district.
Dr. Deanna McClendon confirmed to 10News Monday that she is on administrative leave and under investigation by Shelby County Schools, where she was the Director of Early Childhood Education.
Former Shelby Co. Schools superintendent Dorsey Hopson said the investigation regards anonymous complaints about McClendon that started rolling in after she refused to make hires suggested by board members and other employees.
Hopson said the school must take every allegation seriously even if it’s baseless, and all of the complaints submitted while he was superintendent were found to be baseless. Hopson left the superintendent role in January after six years to take a job outside of education.
McClendon maintains she did nothing wrong and said when you’re in a position of leadership, especially over small children and finances, every allegation should be taken seriously.
She addressed the concerns of Monroe County residents at a forum on Monday night in Madisonville.
"I've not done anything that I shouldn't have done," said McClendon. "It is just a process in the district where I currently am employed to make sure that if anyone writes any sort of a letter that we do our due diligence to investigate. Young children are involved and you need to always, I'm going to always make sure and support that we stand up for children."
She, along with finalists Dr. Phillip Swanson and Mr. Robert Hooper, answered questions from parents, teachers, and other people of Monroe County about how they would handle things like the district budget, morale among staff, insurance policies, and how their experience would move the district forward.
One question was directed to McClendon regarding her investigation, asking for clarification.
"There is an investigation occurring and I'm glad that it occurs," said McClendon. "I anticipate just like anything else, the investigation will occur, they'll clear, we'll move on."
McClendon remains on administrative leave, which is common for any complaint true or false, according to Hopson.
The Monroe County school board is aware that she is under investigation, according to member DeWitt Upton.
Upton said the school board “questioned her about the investigation,” and she “explained some things.”
McClendon is still one of the top three candidates for the Director of Schools position, according to Monroe County Schools.
Hopson said McClendon is a strong leader, in his opinion.
She did have supporters in attendance on Monday night, some who want to see someone with experience in districts outside East Tennessee.
"I want someone who will think, who will move us forward in education and I think we've got a good opportunity. I think Dr. McClendon to me would be my choice," said longtime Monroe County resident J.K. Harrill. "I know both of the other candidates and have nothing bad to say about them, she would just be my choice."
The school board will pick a new director of schools no later than June 20, according to Upton. A special school board meeting is called for that day.