September 5, 2023
By JAMES EVANS
Rutherford County Schools
Shelia Bratton has been selected as the next chair of the Rutherford County Board of Education.
The School Board voted on a new chair and vice chair during its Sept. 5 meeting, a process which happens annually during the first meeting in September.
The Board nominated both Bratton and Katie Darby for the position, and Bratton received a majority of the votes.
“I’m thrilled to be leading this district that means so much to me, along with Dr. Jimmy Sullivan,” Bratton said. “We are expecting great things and plan to have a cooperative and cohesive board.”
Bratton is a veteran educator of 47 years. She spent 20 years as a teacher and 16 years as a district administrator with Rutherford County Schools before retiring. She was elected to the School board three years ago.
Claire Maxwell — a former special education assistant at Riverdale High School — was selected as vice chair. Maxwell and Caleb Tidwell were both nominated for the vice chair position with Maxwell receiving a majority of the votes.
Former School Board Chair Tammy Sharp, who served in the position for the past year, did not seek reappointment to the position. Tidwell also served as a vice chair over the past year.
According to School Board policy, the duties of the chair include assisting the Director of Schools in preparing meeting agendas; presiding at all meetings of the Board; appointing committees authorized by the Board; serving as chair of the executive committee; and several other functions.
The vice chair assumes the duties of the chair in her absence.