Anderson County Schools has announced long-time educator Robbie Herrell, a 1993 Clinton High graduate and longtime educator, has been named the new principal at Clinton High School.

Principal Herrell, a longtime educator, currently lives in Clinton with his three children, according to an Anderson County Schools news release. He attended Tusculum College for an undergraduate degree, Lincoln Memorial University for a graduate degree, and East Tennessee State University for his Ed.S.

Herrell has held many positions in the school system, including:

• 2006-2008, Clinton Middle School, in-school suspension facilitator/assistant football coach;
• 2008-09, Anderson County Career and Technical Center, construction and OSHA instructor/Clinton Middle School head football coach;
• 2009-2012, Anderson County Career and Technical Center, construction and OSHA instructor/Clinton High School assistant football coach, freshman;
• 2012-2016, Anderson County Career and Technical Center, assistant principal; and
• 2016-2024, Anderson County Career and Technical Center, principal.

This comes after the previous CHS principal, Dan Jenkins, resigned amid a grade-fixing investigation.

On Wednesday, Ryan Sutton, the director of communications for Anderson County Schools, said three guidance counselors would not have their contracts renewed. The head counselor, Carrie Jenkins, was suspended pending the investigation.

Earlier this month, Anderson County’s school board voted unanimously to fire CHS teachers Rachel Jones and Clay Turpin for unprofessional conduct, insubordination and neglect of duty concerning the investigation into the grade fixing.

A “charges of dismissal” document said investigators noticed irregularities with the credit recovery program. It said Jones, under Jenkins’ direction, changed grades in the 2022-23 school year. Turpin was involved in 2023-24 after Jones said she was done with it.

The charges of dismissal document continued and said CHS head football coach Darrell Keith told Jones in August 2022 he needed a student’s grades replaced and Jenkins signed off on the change. On Tuesday, Keith said that the school chose not to renew his contract as a teacher.
Sutton said Nate Martin, the school’s athletic director, have brought in a lawyer.

On Wednesday, Ryan Sutton, the director of communications for Anderson County Schools, said three guidance counselors would not have their contracts renewed. The head counselor, Carrie Jenkins, was suspended pending the investigation.

Earlier this month, Anderson County’s school board voted unanimously to fire CHS teachers Rachel Jones and Clay Turpin for unprofessional conduct, insubordination and neglect of duty concerning the investigation into the grade fixing.

A “charges of dismissal” document said investigators noticed irregularities with the credit recovery program. It said Jones, under Jenkins’ direction, changed grades in the 2022-23 school year. Turpin was involved in 2023-24 after Jones said she was done with it.

The charges of dismissal document continued and said CHS head football coach Darrell Keith told Jones in August 2022 he needed a student’s grades replaced and Jenkins signed off on the change. On Tuesday, Keith said that the school chose not to renew his contract as a teacher.

Sutton said Nate Martin, the school’s athletic director, has brought in a lawyer.

The Tennessee Department of Education responded to the situation saying the district made them aware of the matter and is handling it.  “We are very appreciative of their proactiveness to alert us and support their students,” TDOE said. “The department is not involved in the district investigation but stands ready to support.”