ASHLAND CITY, Tenn. - An emergency meeting has been called by school board members in Cheatham County to discuss the abrupt resignation of their director.
Dr. Tim Webb announced his resignation during the school board meeting on Monday night. He apparently said that he "had all he could take".
Webb reportedly fought back tears as he announced his resignation. Webb has been with the district since November 2010. In May of 2011, he told reporters that he was "here to stay". He was state education commissioner prior to that.
In April, Webb said the school district would need $45 million for the next fiscal year and that 18 teaching positions would have to be cut to close the gap.
Webb said leaving Cheatham County Schools was the best decision for himself and the school system. He was scheduled to be interviewed by NewsChannel5, but later said he was too busy. Webb did however acknowledge on the phone that he has made big changes that's made a lot of people mad.
"I think the way he came in just changing things so quickly it kind of upset everybody. They didn't like the changes so soon," said Cheatham County parent Misty Bumpus.
Webb's announcement garnered mixed emotions. During his tenure, he fired some teachers and staff, eliminated fall break and made other changes that did not go over well with some in the community.
School Board Member Greg Horton said Webb endured constant attacks. That's why he said while Webb's resignation is a shock, it was not unexpected.
"At the end of the meeting when they asked, when the chairman asked Dr. Webb if he had anything to say he said he had all he could take and turned in his resignation," explained Horton.
Several board members said they would not accept his resignation, and the board agreed to hold an emergency meeting Wednesday at 7 p.m.
The Superintendent in Giles County said Webb has accepted a position at Richland School.
Past Stories
(The Associated Press Contributed To This Report.)
