Shelby County superintendent previews principal search, greenhouse opening and staff training visit

In a weekly superintendent wrap-up, the superintendent of Shelby County Schools (name not specified) said the district is proceeding with a principal selection at Heritage in Simpsonville, marked the opening of a new greenhouse at Shelby County High School and will host national educator Mike Rutherford for administrator training this week.

The announcements matter to staff, students and families because the principal selection will determine school leadership for Heritage in Simpsonville, the greenhouse directly supports agricultural instruction at Shelby County High School and the administrator training is aimed at classroom coaching and teacher growth.

On the principal search, the superintendent said the district has begun formal steps with the school-based decision-making council (SBDM). “We have already had a meeting with the SBDM. . . . We are training our SBDM on the selection process, getting questions and we'll be sending out surveys,” the superintendent said, adding the district will conduct interviews and hopes to have the new principal in place "by the end of the school year." The superintendent said the final selection is made “by statute,” and the district will carry out the process in collaboration with central-office staff and the SBDM.

District leaders celebrated a greenhouse ribbon-cutting at Shelby County High School. “That was a project that was 2 or 3 years in the making,” the superintendent said, and noted the greenhouse sits close to the agricultural classroom so students can access it easily.

Professional development for district administrators will include Mike Rutherford, who the superintendent described as “nationally known” and working with administrators on feedback and coaching. “He is, nationally known, goes around the country, has several books, and he's really working with our administrators on feedback and and coaching. How do we help teachers grow? How do we support them?” the superintendent said, adding Rutherford will be in the district for the first two days of the week.

The superintendent also noted defensive-learning activities scheduled this week and said some schools would complete their defenses on Friday. “We have defensive learning this week on the 20 fifth. We'll have some schools, completing their defenses,” the superintendent said.

Student engagement was highlighted in a recent superintendent advisory meeting for middle- and high-school students. The superintendent described the year-long series led in part by Doug Semenek as an “executive leadership training” that produced ideas from participating students.

The superintendent thanked Krista Jackson for coordinating donations to people affected by flooding in Frankfurt, saying truckloads of supplies were sent to families there.

The superintendent closed the update by encouraging students to keep learning and saying the district will provide further information about the principal search and other items as they progress.