Superintendent McIntyre resigning

Jim McIntyre

A little more than a month after agreeing to a two-year contract extension and pay raise, Knox County Schools Superintendent Jim McIntyre has agreed to step down in July in exchange for a one-year severance - something board members are expected to approve.

“The current political environment has become increasingly dysfunctional,” said McIntyre, who was hired in the spring of 2008. “At times overtly antagonistic, and seemingly untenable. At recent months the focus of the conversation has all too often become about me, or the school board or other elected officials, rather than around the effective education of our children.”

WATCH: Full video of McIntyre's press conference

The school board in the coming weeks will talk about the proposed buyout, which would amount to at least his $227,000 annual salary.

Once approved, McIntyre said his last day would be July 8. He said that he doesn't plan to leave Knox County and wants his children to graduate here.

"It has truly been a great honor and privilege for me to serve as the leader of this school system for eight years," McIntyre said.

ONE-ON-ONE INTERVIEW: Jim McIntyre speaks with 10News after news conference

The school board will more than likely conduct a national search to find his replacement. The board also will appoint an interim superintendent if one is not hired before McIntyre leaves.

“There is a new school board essentially coming in on Sept. 1. There will be several new members,” McIntyre said. “The new school board deserves to choose the leader that they want to have in place.”

As superintendent, McIntyre oversees a $438 million budget, 90 schools and a 7,500-person workforce that includes almost 5,000 teachers.

“I think it’s the toughest job in any county,” said school board Chairman Doug Harris said. “The respect that I’ve got for this man, it exceeds anything that I can describe.”
School board Vice Chairwoman Tracie Sanger agreed.

"I'm sad to see him go and I think he's done great work for the district, and in the long run, I think it'll be a great loss for our students."

REST OF STORY: Right Here