Orr named interim superintendent of Powell County school district

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette / WBRT Radio

Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2017 –– Dr. Anthony Orr, the former superintendent of Nelson County Schools, has been hired as interim superintendent of the Powell County Schools in Eastern Kentucky.

DR ANTHONY ORR

Powell County Superintendent Michael Tate submitted his resignation to the Powell County Board of Education at the board’s Nov. 13, 2017 meeting. Tate’s resignation was effective Jan. 1, 2018.

The board apparently knew in advance of Tate’s resignation at the Nov. 13, 2017 meeting, as the meeting agenda included an item in regard to the selection of an interim principal. The Powell County board held four additional special meetings prior to the end of December that included closed executive sessions to discuss selection of an interim superintendent.

The community will have an opportunity to meet Orr Thursday evening at a “Meet & Greet” event at the Powell County Central Office.

The Powell County School District has approximately 2,400 students.

BACKGROUND. Orr resigned as Nelson County Schools superintendent on July 31, 2017. Orr’s agreement with the board stipulated that he would remain a school district employee and serve in a new position, the director of process, research and improvement through June 30, 2018. See story.

Orr’s resignation letter came after months of calls for a leadership change from parents and former district employees and violent incidents at district schools. In his letter Orr understood the board’s desire to pursue new leadership and to take a different direction.

“The board has grown and changed and has a new direction in view. As is often the case, a new direction requires new leadership,” he wrote.

The employment arrangement allowed Orr to continue to provide the district with the value of his skills while allowing the district to live up to its obligation spelled out in its contract with Orr.

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