Superintendent Shawn Kimble has announced his acceptance of a new role with the Ayers Foundation Trust's Scholars Program, where he will assist families in rural counties across Tennessee. This program is dedicated to facilitating college access for students by removing barriers to quality education, enabling them to obtain degrees or credentials that lead to prosperous futures.
The Ayers Foundation has a proven track record of supporting students and educators in rural areas for over 25 years, working to eliminate obstacles that impede college access and persistence. Beginning in 2023, the Ayers Foundation Scholars Program was successfully implemented at both Ripley and Halls High Schools, resulting in an overall increase in FAFSA completion and college enrollment rates within the county.
“Serving Lauderdale County as Superintendent has been the honor of a lifetime. I am incredibly proud of what our students, employees, and school board members have accomplished during my tenure. This new opportunity allows me to continue working with students to help them find their way to college and beyond, and I couldn’t be more excited to serve students both locally and statewide,” said Kimble. “Lauderdale County offers great opportunities for students, and I look forward to seeing what the future holds for our schools.”
As the district navigates this transition, a local search for Mr. Kimble's replacement will begin immediately. The school board aims to have a new superintendent fully transitioned no later than May 1st, with hopes of finalizing the process even sooner. Updates regarding the search for his successor will be shared as they become available.