Who wouldn’t have wanted to poach a skydiving, hard-charging, joke-making, great expectations-having superintendent from Davidson County’s wealthy rival as Metro Nashville’s director of schools? When word emerged this summer that the MNPS board was mounting a whirlwind courtship of Looney, the much-admired schools chief down Franklin way, the sudden boost of energy lifted the spirits not only of the frequently divided school board, but of teachers, staff and families across the county who place their hope in Metro schools. Alas, after a week of flirting, Looney decided not to break up with Williamson County — and left Nashville standing empty-handed without a rose.
