As of tonight’s Cumberland County School Board meeting, William Stepp is no longer the Director of Schools for Cumberland County, as a mutual agreement between him and the school board was voted upon and approved tonight, 6-1. Hale, Cole, Matthews, Vanwinkle, King, and Stull voted in favor, Nichols voted against, and Stout abstained.

“There’s a mutual agreement provision, which essentially allows that if the board and the director made a mutual agreement to essentially separate, then that is completely within the power of the contract,” said Cumberland County School Board Attorney Chris McCarty. “It’s not a decision made by one party, it’s truly a mutual decision. Seeing the way the votes have gone lately, seeing some of the discussion as an outside observer with an interest, it’s something that I approached with Mr. Stepp, and I approached each of you individually as something I think everyone should consider. And I’m still recommending tonight that the board certainly consider it. I know Mr. Stepp is in favor of it, I know he’s in favor of moving forward with that, because, in my opinion, it allows both sides to essentially move forward in an amicable fashion, and in a professional fashion.”

The agenda item says Stepp is no longer the Director of Schools for Cumberland County. This doesn’t terminate Stepp’s employment with the county, which runs until June 30th, and would place Stepp effectively on paid leave of absence until his contract runs out.

Taking Stepp’s place as Interim Director of Schools will be Chief Academic Officer Dr. Rebecca Farley, who was chosen over Glenn Martin’s Bryan Simmons and 9 – 12 Supervisor Dr. William Maddox.