Last night the Monroe County School Board voted last night not to renew Director of Schools Tim Blankenship’s contract when it expires June 30.

Blankenship had served as interim director after Mike Lowry’s death in 2013, and was promoted to director in 2014.

The board decided the district needed to go in “a new direction” after receiving low marks on a state evaluation. Board member Janie Harill said they’re looking for someone who would be a bit more engaged with teachers, adding, “We had a low morale situation and we’d like to see that improve.”

Blankenship thanked his staff and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to serve as director of the Monroe County schools these past five years as the end of his term approaches.