Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-1203: Director

(a) Any plan of consolidation shall provide that the consolidated board of education is authorized to designate a person experienced in public school management and supervision and possessing the qualifications required of a director of schools pursuant to § 49-2-301 as the chief administrative employee of the board, and to enter into an employment contract with such person for a period not to exceed five (5) years and for a compensation to be determined in the contract.

(b) The person so employed shall be designated director of consolidated schools.

(c) The consolidated board of education is authorized to assign to the director such duties and responsibilities as are necessarily, usually or properly assigned to a city director of schools or to a county director of schools.