ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — A Rockingham County Superior Court Judge ruled Friday that for now, Dr. Rodney Shotwell will be allowed to stay in his role as Rockingham County Schools Superintendent.
Shotwell is suing the Rockingham County Schools Board of Education after the board fired him in December. He's asking a judge to decide whether his firing was legal. The board never gave a reason for the decision, citing personnel matters. Shotwell had a contract with the school system through June 2022.
Shotwell said he was pleased with the judge's order to keep him in his role while litigation continues.
"I'm pleased with the outcome today. I love Rockingham County Schools and I'm glad I have the opportunity to continue the job that I have been doing for the last 15 years. This is truly a wonderful community. Our board of education wants to do what's best for kids. I want to do what's best for kids and that's what we're going to do from here on out," Shotwell said.
The defense argued that if Shotwell could not accept the board's majority vote to fire him, it presented a larger problem.
Rockingham County Board of Education Chair Kimberly McMichael said she doesn't know what this ruling means for the interim superintendent and they will continue with the legal process.
"Tired of talking about adults and it's time to focus on the kids," she told WFMY News 2's Marissa Tansino.
Parents were also at the hearing today.
Stephanie Wood and Mary Ryan said they were relieved with the judge's decision.
"He just wants to do what's best I think for our school system," said Wood.
"Dr. Shotwell has been under fire from four of these board members for several months now and he's just been incredibly gracious," said Ryan.
Ryan said it feels like a tremendous burden has been taken off their shoulders as they've been fighting for Dr. Shotwell since December.
Wood said Dr. Shotwell has proven in the last few months he can do his job under harsh circumstances.
"I think it was quite clear this was a decision made for other reasons not because Dr. Shotwell had done something to deserve being fired," said Ryan.