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Two men who are Assistant Superintendent of Schools in their respective communities, are finalists for a step-up in Greeneville.

Assistant Superintendent of Schools in Hamblen County, Matthew Drinnon is a finalist for Superintendent of Schools in Greeneville. Dr. Jason Horne, who serves the same capacity in Greeneville, is the other finalist to succeed Steve Starnes as Superintendent.

Both men were recommended by the Tennessee School Boards Association, who assisted in the process.

Ten people applied for the Superintendent’s position, one of which withdrew after applying.

Drinnon has spent almost 30 years in education, 20 of them in Hamblen County.

He first started teaching at Simon Kenton High School in Independence, Kentucky, just outside Cincinnati in 1996-97. After a year away attending college, he came to Rogersville Middle School in Hawkins County where he taught match and social studies for two years. He was also the head basketball coach of the Warriors those two years.

Drinnon then came to Hamblen County where he was a fifth-grade teacher at Alpha Elementary School from 2000 to 2007.

He taught next at Cocke County High School in Newport in 2007, where he taught U.S. History until 2010. The next year, he moved into administration as a curriculum coordinator.

Drinnon came back to Hamblen County in 2011 where he served as assistant principal at West View Middle School. He was named principal at John Hay Elementary in 2012 and stayed until 2022. He became the Human Resources Supervisor for HCS from 2022 to 2025.

In an interview with the Citizen Tribune after being named to his current job, Drinnon took some to time to discuss his philosophies about educating Hamblen County students.

“I believe it is our responsibility to provide a safe, welcoming environment for students to learn while pushing them to achieve at the maximum of their potential academically,” Drinnon said. “Strong schools help to develop strong communities.

“My long-term goals in this position are to continue to build on our successes, work to continue to improve our facilities, and continue to develop positive outcomes for our students and families,” he said. “I want to continue the work of advancing toward the goals set by our Superintendent and our school board members to continuously improve.”

Matthew is married to Rebecca Drinnon, an instructional coach with Hamblen County Schools. Their two sons, Thomas and Isaac, both attend Hamblen scools.

Horne became Greeneville City Schools’ Assistant Director of Schools – Administration in May 2024. He is an adjunct professor with East Tennessee State University and has been an educator in both GCS and in Campbell County, Tennessee. He also served as principal of Bristol Online Public School.

Both men are to be interviewed Tuesday afternoon at a public forum to be held at the Niswonger Performing Arts Center with Starnes presiding. Both Drinnon and Horne will have 10 minutes to introduce themselves, followed by a question-and-answer session from the public.

Both men will be interviewed Wednesday evening at the Kay Leonard Central Office Complex. Horne will interview between 5:30 p.m. and 6:50 p.m. After a 10-minute break, Drinnon will be interviewed from 7 p.m. to 8:20 p.m.