Rutherford County School Board Extends Superintendent’s Contract

The Rutherford County Board of Education on Nov. 4 extended the contract of Superintendent Dr. David Sutton and reviewed budgets, recognized staff, and heard public calls for greater transparency in virtual meetings.

Leadership Contract Renewed

The board voted unanimously to extend Sutton’s contract by one year, along with contracts for top administrators. No public discussion occurred regarding evaluations or contract terms before the vote.

Following the vote, Sutton praised the district’s first Junior Chef Challenge, calling it “a tremendous demonstration of what our students learn and what they can do as they navigate our career technical education programs,” and wished staff and students “a time of peaceful, joyful reflection” ahead of Thanksgiving.

Public Comment Highlights Accessibility

A public comment urged clearer communication for virtual viewers, noting slides are often unreadable online and requesting that meeting packets and reports be posted publicly in advance, similar to what town and county governments do.

Students Showcase Spindale Elementary

Students shared their experiences in school clubs, highlighting personal growth and collaboration. One student said, “Clubs make school even more fun because we get to work with friends, try new activities, and feel proud of what we accomplished.” Another described small acts of service, such as writing thank-you notes or collecting items for those in need, as impactful.

Staff Recognitions

The board recognized district staff for excellence. The district’s Assistant Principal of the Year was honored for leadership in achieving a 100% four-year cohort graduation rate. A counselor of the year was recognized for exceptional work in student well-being and supporting all counselors districtwide.

Budget and Spending Updates

The board approved a budget amendment totaling more than $1.08 million, covering instructional services, support, and capital accounts.

Expenditure reports showed local spending at 39.6% of the fiscal year and capital outlay at 84%, reflecting previously approved HVAC contracts. Other accounts were “trending within normal expenditure levels for this point in the year.”

Transparency Through NCStar

All district schools now use a digital platform to manage and publish school improvement plans. Draft plans for low-performing schools will be available for public review, officials said. State law requires all schools’ plans to be publicly accessible.

NCStar is a web-based platform used by North Carolina schools for creating and managing their School Improvement Plans (SIPs), which are required by law. These plans are a "living, breathing blueprint" for enhancing student achievement, developed by School Improvement Teams composed of staff, parents, and others. The platform, powered by the national system Indistar, guides schools in setting goals, tracking progress, and holding them accountable through a continuous improvement process.

Facilities and Easement Updates

The board approved a 20-by-130-foot easement at the former middle school to allow the county to run utility lines for a new sheriff’s office complex.

The five-year Facilities Needs Survey will deliver detailed reports by early 2026. The survey is required by the state to assess major construction needs across the district.

Emphasis on Accountability

The meeting highlighted both staff achievement and public accountability. Public comment stressed the importance of accessibility and transparency for remote viewers, including those with hearing or mobility challenges.

Rutherford County Schools continues to hold in-person board meetings with online streaming. Recordings are posted after adjournment, though supporting documents currently require public records requests. The digital platform may expand transparency further, providing broader public access to school improvement plans.

Next Meeting: Dec. 2, when the board will vote on final school improvement plans after the public review period.