Tom McCulloughSUPERINTENDENT’S EMAILTO SCHOOL BOARD MEMBERSOn Friday, May 25, 2012, at 5:02 p.m., I received a request from Dr. Tom McCullough that he be allowed to use his accrued leave in lieu of serving a suspension without pay through the end of his contract, June 30, 2012. I had presented this very option to Dr. McCullough on Monday, May 14, 2012, even before he gave notice of his intent to retire, explaining that, in view of issues that had been developing throughout the school year, I felt the need to make an immediate change in the school administration. When Dr. McCullough refused this option and announced his retirement, I suspended him so I could proceed with the school’s administrative changes.I have granted Dr. McCullough’s request subject to the understanding that he not be on the campus of SMMHS. Since HCDE would have paid Dr. McCullough for his accrued unused leave after his contract expired on June 30, 2012, this decision does not have any financial impact on the school system.
Some Signal Mountain parents say they’re relieved that their principal now can retire without a blemished record.
On Saturday, Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith reversed his decision to suspend Signal Mountain Middle/High Principal Tom McCullough, the latest action in a string of events stemming from a March senior trip.
The suspension was announced May 18. Within three days, parents had collected more than 700 online signatures asking Smith to reinstate McCullough. Though he will have to use his accrued leave time through the end of his contract on June 30, parents say they’re pleased he’ll retire with an unstained record.
“We are so very happy for Dr. McCullough. He’s not going to end his time at Signal Mountain and Hamilton County under a cloud,” said parent Leslie Smith, who started the online petition.