Dr. Jimmy Carter resigned his position as Director of the Union County Public Schools during the June regular school board meeting. Initially, Dr. Carter agreed to stay on for 120 days to ease the transition to a new director. Later, Dr. Carter was named interim director. At the regular school board meeting in September, the school board voted to terminate Dr. Carter as interim director.

Dr. Ronnie Mincey, already employed within in the school district, was installed as interim director to succeed Dr. Carter. While the school board continues to search for a permanent director through the Tennessee School Boards Association, Dr. Mincey will fill the role of interim superintendent. Despite having not formally applied for the position, Dr. Mincey is an eligible candidate, and is willing to stay on as interim while the Board conducts its search for a permanent director.

Before taking on the position, Dr. Mincey held a position within the school district as the supervisor for federal programs and clerk for the school board. He will continue to fill these positions while serving as interim director. His dedication and passion for supporting education in the community has led him to engaging in academia in many ways. In addition to his position in the Union County School District, he has spent over a decade working at the collegiate level. Beginning in 2012, Dr. Mincey has taught a reading course each fall at Walters State Community College in order to help adult students strengthen their reading and writing skills. Despite his busy schedule, Dr. Mincey enjoys writing and is a local contributor to historicunioncounty.com.

When asked if he has any goals or plans as the new director of schools, Dr. Mincey explained that he is currently acting as the “interim director” with the expectation that this position is short term. With that in mind, Dr. Mincey stated his short-term goal “is to keep the school system functioning as safely and smoothly as possible until a new director is assigned.”

It has only been a couple of weeks since Dr. Mincey assumed the position but he is adjusting quickly to the role and responsibilities of the position. He explained that having a strong team is essential to success and that he has the utmost confidence in the Central Office staff and those employed in the schools. Right now, he is striving to keep the Union County School system operating without hiccups and getting acquainted with the current issues at hand by working with the school board.

Dr. Mincey invites the public to reach out to him. His email address in minceyr@ucps.org