Aitken expected to officially receive Collierville superintenden - Action News 5 - Memphis, Tennessee

(WMC-TV) - Collierville will be the first municipal school district to hire a superintendent. Former Shelby County Schools chief John Aitken is expected to officially receive the job Monday.

It has been nine months since Aitken left Shelby County Schools following a buyout of his contract at his request.

"It had taken a toll on me personally and health-wise, but I'm recharged now," he said.

He is ready to get back to work as superintendent of Collierville municipal schools.

"My wife's even said she hasn't seen me this excited in a while, a little rejuvenated," he added.

Aitken has worked as a consultant for Collierville and other municipalities since retiring from SCS. He was on the top of the list for the superintendent's job in more than one upcoming suburban district.

He decided to stay home.

"I started teaching and coaching at Collierville High School in 1983," he said.

He worked out most details of a contract last week. He has already been thinking about how to get the new school district up and running in time for next August.

"HR systems, payroll, busing, food services. All those things we discussed as we prepared for the merger. Now, you're building from the ground up," he said.

Aitken says it is something that will take time, patience, and continued cooperation with the other municipalities and with SCS.

"This is three years of turmoil in this community for families and students, and we've got to all regroup and refocus and say, 'Wow. Let's do what's best for the kids,' " he said.

The Collierville municipal school board will vote on Aitken's contract Monday. So far, no one has revealed how much the job will pay.

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