In this week's #RCSSundayMessage, RCS Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan provides some important updates for the beginning of the 2026-2027 school year.

Dr. Clark Blair named principal of Central Magnet School Blair succeeds Dr. John Ash, who is retiring to take role as Director of Schools in Smith County May 8, 2026 By JAMES EVANS Rutherford County Schools Dr. Clark Blair has spent the past 21 years as the principal of McFadden School of Excellence, an academic magnet school serving grades K-5 and which has consistently been ranked as one of the top performing elementary schools in Tennessee. He has now been selected as the principal of nearby Central Magnet School, which likewise has ranked consistently as the top high school in Tennessee and beyond. Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan announced the appointment today. Blair succeeds longtime Central Magnet School Principal Dr. John Ash, who was recently named the new Director of Schools for Smith County. “Under Dr. Ash’s leadership, Central Magnet School has achieved extraordinary success, earning recognition as the number one school in the state and number three in the nation, with a consistent record of high achievement,” Director Sullivan said. “Dr. Blair is a student‑focused leader who values rigorous instruction, strong school culture, and meaningful family and community partnerships. As an administrator at one of our elementary magnet schools and at the middle school level for the past 20 plus years, he has the skillset, knowledge, and understanding needed to lead this population of our students.” Sullivan added: “I am confident he will build upon the exceptional foundation established by Dr. Ash and continue the tradition of excellence that defines Central Magnet School.” “I want to thank Dr. Sullivan for giving me the opportunity to be the next principal of Central Magnet — a school that is rich with history from its days as Central High School, then Central Middle, and now Central Magnet,” Blair said. “A lot of great people have walked those hallways over the years.” Blair added: “My goal as Central’s next principal is to continue the great things Dr. Ash has achieved at the school. I look forward to serving the faculty, students and families by giving what the Central Magnet motto states, which is ‘Always My Best.’” Leaving McFadden School of Excellence, which previously served grades K-8 until Central Magnet School opened, will be tough, Blair said. “I mean, 21 years, you know, I love this place. I’ve always loved this place and it’s been a blessing to my family,” Blair said. As an educator, the goal is always to help students succeed and help them fulfill the plans for their future, Blair said. That’s always been his intent at McFadden, and he plans to carry that same vision and purpose in his new role at Central. “A teacher’s greatest joy is seeing student success,” Blair explained. “That’s all we want, you want to see people succeed.”

Our principals wear many hats—and they wear them well. From leading their schools to supporting students, staff and families, they show up every day with steady leadership, care and commitment. Today, we’re thankful for the role they play in leading our schools. Happy National School Principal Day! A special message from RCS Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan: youtu.be/OEzvihW4bgw

MIDDLE SCHOOL ORIENTATION: Events are open to all students for the 2026-2027 school year. To verify zoning for the upcoming school year, visit rcschools.net/apps/pages/ind….

In this week's #RCSSundayMessage, RCS Elementary ELA Specialists Lisa Kegler and Karen Williams join together to share some tips for parents for upcoming TCAP testing.

Hello parents, This is James Evans with Rutherford County Schools, and we need your help spreading the word about two enrollment topics. First, we are now accepting enrollments for any new students, including kindergarteners, that will begin in August 2026. If you have a new student or kindergartener, please enroll early now at rcschools.net. It is important that we know the number of new students who are coming so we can plan for the number of teachers, sort schedules, and ensure we have resources in place, such as textbooks, materials, and other supplies. Also, we need all parents to know that we are in the process of changing to a new student management database software. We currently use Skyward, which will remain active through May. We will continue using Skyward for online registration through the end of May, but then we will be switching to an improved platform, called Synergy. There will be a transition period, and so during the month of June, we will not be accepting any registrations for new or existing students. Anyone who registers before June will automatically have their data moved to the new system. All parents will be sent more information in July to set up their new accounts and to verify information for their returning students. There’s nothing you need to do now, but we simply want to let you know the timeline for the transition so that everyone is aware, and then we will provide further instructions. All you need to do now is to enroll any new students you may have joining us for the new school year. Otherwise, sit tight and we will send more information at a later date. Thanks for helping us spread the word, and thanks for all that you do.

With the opening of Poplar Hill Middle School in August 2026, the Rutherford County Board of Education adopted a rezoning plan last night that affects all middle schools. This plan both creates a zone for the new middle school and relieves overcrowding at other middle schools. A grandfather option for all current rising eighth-graders was approved as part of this plan. Under this grandfather option, parents must provide transportation to and from school. However, there is an important deadline of Friday, Jan. 16, 2026, for parents to complete an online form if they wish to choose the grandfather option. This deadline cannot be extended. In addition to the new middle school zone lines, the Board also had to make the difficult decision to move some students from Stewarts Creek Elementary School to nearby Brown’s Chapel Elementary School. This change will take effect in August at the beginning of the new school year. As part of this rezoning plan, the School Board also approved an increase in the number of choice school seats available in the upcoming lottery. There will now be 15 seats available. You can learn more and complete an application on our website. The deadline to submit an application and to be entered into the lottery is Jan. 31, 2026. For zoning maps, choice school applications, and the form to select the grandfather option, please go to this webpage: rcschools.net/apps/pages/ind…

Meagan Turnbow honored as state finalist for Tennessee Supervisor of the Year The Tennessee Department of Education held an awards reception for state finalists at the Noah Liff Opera Center. Turnbow was honored as the MidCumberland Core regional Supervisor of the Year for 2025-2026. December 10, 2025 By JAMES EVANS Rutherford County Schools Meagan Turnbow, the ESL coordinator for Rutherford County Schools, was honored Friday evening in Nashville as one of nine finalists for the Tennessee Supervisor of the Year. The Tennessee Department of Education held an awards reception for state finalists at the Noah Liff Opera Center. Turnbow was honored as the MidCumberland Core regional Supervisor of the Year for 2025-2026. “I could not be more proud of Meagan for being a finalist for the Tennessee Department of Education’s Supervisor of the Year Award,” Director of Schools Dr. Jimmy Sullivan said. “I’m so proud of her accomplishments and what she does for our students each day.” Turnbow was named the Supervisor of the Year for Rutherford County Schools last school year, which launched her journey to additional honors at the regional and state levels. She has spent the past several months being interviewed by education leaders and completing multiple essay responses and videos to demonstrate her expertise.

Rocky Fork's Fleener named RCS 6-8 Teacher of the Year Marian Fleener serves as school's structured setting teacher Read more here: rcschools.net/apps/news/arti…

So proud of the team at @SmyrnaMiddle!

👀 Something big is rolling into Rutherford County… October 22. Stay tuned.

Stewarts Creek Middle teacher delivers keynote for DAR Constitution Week event Allen Kessinger, 2024 DAR Chapter History Teacher of the Year, honored for his work advancing civic literacy in Rutherford County Schools Read more here: trst.in/iM88Xr