Long-time Assistant Principal Dr. Sherri Southerland has been named the next principal of Smyrna High School, Director of Schools Don Odom and Director of Schools-Elect Bill Spurlock have announced. 

Southerland has been with the school for 13 years and served for 12 as one of four assistant principals. She originally came to the school from Metro-Nashville as an English teacher and girls’ soccer coach at Smyrna. 

In all, she has 20 years experience as an educator. 

“Dr. Southerland has a long-term commitment with Smyrna High School since 2005 when she was selected by then-Principal Robert Raikes,” Odom said. “She has a noteworthy resume statement of ‘All students can learn through high expectations, clear goals and compassion.’”

Southerland earned her bachelor’s in English from Middle Tennessee State University before completing her master’s in Educational Leadership. She completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership from Carson-Newman University in July 2017. 

“Dr. Southerland understands the importance of Smyrna High’s past and traditions but also has a clear vision to move the school forward,” said Director-Elect Spurlock, a 1978 graduate of Smyrna High School.

Southerland succeeds Rick Powell, who has served as the principal of the school since July 2011 and has announced his retirement. Powell previously worked for longtime Smyrna High School legend, Robert “Bud” Raikes, who served as principal from 1973-2011. 

Southerland said raising ACT scores for all students will be one of her first priorities. She thanked both Directors Odom and Spurlock for a chance to continue contributing to the Smyrna High School legacy. 

“I am honored and excited to follow in the footsteps of great leaders like Mr. Raikes and Mr. Powell,” Southerland said. “Smyrna High School is rich in tradition with a strong sense of community pride. I look forward to maintaining that pride and tradition, while at the same time implementing new programs and initiatives that will benefit all students at SHS.”

New transportation director, interim assistant director of construct appointed

The next transportation director for Rutherford County Schools has more than two decades of experience in transportation logistics and is a veteran of the United States Navy. 

Jason Everett will begin as the next transportation director on July 1, Director of Schools-Elect Bill Spurlock has announced.

The school district’s transportation department oversees 268 bus routes that transport approximately 25,000 students daily, and those buses travel nearly 4 million miles each school year. 

Rutherford County Schools uses an independent contractor model for providing transportation services, which involves contracting with individual bus owners who are managed by the transportation department.

In the early ’90’s, Everett served in the Navy during Desert Storm and then joined FedEx in an entry-level position before working his way up to a senior manager position overseeing four locations. He spent 23 years with FedEx, 14 of those in management. 

Everett has a bachelor’s degree in Management and Human Relations from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville. He won multiple awards while with FedEx, including Ground Pickup and Delivery Manager of the Year in 2010 and 2011, and he was a recipient of the FedEx Ground Circle of Honor for three consecutive years. 

After leaving FedEx, Everett wanted to pursue an opportunity to work with education and children or with military veterans, he said.  

Everett succeeds Mike Snell, who is retiring June 30 after serving as transportation director for 13 years. 

RCS has also named an interim Assistant Superintendent for Engineering and Construction.

Trey Lee succeeds Gary Clardy, who retired from the assistant superintendent role but will be remaining as a part-time consultant with the school district.

Lee has overseen multiple building projects including Oakland Middle School, Whitworth-Buchanan Middle School, Brown’s Chapel Elementary and the under-construction Rockvale High School, which will open in August 2019.

Lee’s roots run deep in Rutherford County.

His family has lived in the Smyrna area for many generations. In fact, Lee Road is named after them and is near the recently opened Rocky Fork Middle School — another one of the projects Lee oversaw as project manager for Rutherford County Schools.

The engineering and construction department is responsible for planning for new schools and facilities with the director of schools and School Board, and then works with contractors and architects to fulfill those building projects. The department also consists of maintenance teams, including electricians, HVAC technicians and plumbers, who work to keep existing schools in good-working order.

Current Director of Schools Don Odom, who is retiring June 30, praised Lee’s work performance with the district and his track record of completing projects on time and within budget.