Rutherford County schools director will be stepping down in June

Rutherford County schools director Bill Spurlock will be stepping down at the end of June, a year earlier than originally planned.

“Our goal has always been to give students opportunities to be successful and to ensure they are empowered to choose the most efficient way to pursue their aptitudes and interests,” Spurlock said in a press release. “It’s been a team effort, and I am truly honored to have worked alongside so many dedicated educators and staff members through the years who truly have the best interests of students at heart.”

The school board voted on the matter this morning at a special called meeting, but the decision comes as no surprise. Two weeks ago, Spurlock announced he agreed to end his contract early after receiving criticism on his performance evaluation. The comments were anonymous but accused Spurlock of being a bully.

The school district’s attorney, Jeffrey L. Reed, says Tennessee School Boards Association will help with the hiring search for a temporary and permanent replacement.

“The system with TSBA is pretty efficient,” Reed said at the Monday school board meeting. “There’s no other service out there that does it any faster than TSBA, and TSBA can meet what time requirements the board wants to impose on it.”

But not everyone is convinced. School board member Tammy Sharp expressed concerns that the search for a permanent superintendent might be complicated by the upcoming school board elections.

“I don’t know that any of us expect to replace or have a new superintendent by August,” Sharp told the board.

School board member Claire Maxwell said she would like to see parts of the job criteria amended to require a doctoral degree and administration experience in a large school district.

Spurlock assumed the role of superintendent in July 2018. Under his leadership, he oversaw the opening of several new schools and facilities, including Rocky Fork Elementary School, Rockvale High School and the Rutherford County Virtual School, and additions at Oakland Middle, LaVergne Middle and Siegel High School. He also helped launch a number of school initiatives, including aviation and early college programs.

According to Reed, Spurlock will have hiring and firing authority until the end of his term but plans to work with the next director of schools in his decision-making. Despite the shortened contract, he’ll continue to receive monthly compensation through the end of his original term on June 2023, as part of negotiations.