More Reaction to Rick Smith’s Sudden Retirement

This is the third day since School superintendent Rick Smith announced his sudden retirement .
And its one day before the school board gets its first opportunity to deal with the issue.

The school district staff is handling the day to day business—but the pressure is on for all to move quickly.

RHONDA THURMAN, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER “We have to get someone who can sign checks..so that the school system can carry on, then we’ll have to decide what we need in an interim superintendent.”

Board member Rhonda Thurman on Monday expressed the urgency created by the sudden departure of Rick Smith. It could be a long process.

DR. STEVE HIGHLANDER, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER “Well, Nashville has..Dr. Register resigned from Nashville last spring, almost a year ago effective at the end of the school year, and they still don’t have one.”

Reaction at the county commission meeting ranged from understanding, to setting a timetable to get the ball rolling.

RANDY FAIRBANKS, COUNTY COMMISSIONER “I was a little surprised, you know, if he’s decided that’s what’s best for the county, and the school system I think its best that he retire and that we move to the next chapter.”

MARTY HAYNES, COUNTY COMMISSIONER “Dr. Greg Martin school board member in district 3..along with PTA presidents from the 8 schools, hosting a meeting to talk about this very subject about moving forward with the selection of a new superintendent…Hixson high school..6pm. March 22nd.”

But board members expressed no regrets about the way they handled Smith’s proposals for leaving.

DR. STEVE HIGHLANDER “The 5 of us felt like, we hope he’s enjoying his retirement but we didn’t feel like he deserved any more taxpayer money to go along with it.”

School board chairman Dr. Jonathan Welch will set the agenda for moving ahead when he calls the Thursday meeting to order.
Temporarily filling the position will likely be first.

MARTY HAYNES “It is a tough job, a tough job for our school board as well.”