MEDIA ADVISORY

May 25, 2012

RCS announces assistant superintendent,
Thurman Francis Arts Academy principal

MURFREESBORO — Director of Schools Harry Gill Jr. and Director of Schools-Elect Don Odom have announced that Richard Zago has been named the next assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction, and Jeff Duke has been named the principal of Thurman Francis Arts Academy.

Odom currently serves as the assistant superintendent for Curriculum and Instruction but will take over as Director of Schools on July 1 following Gill’s retirement.

“I am pleased to recommend Mr. Richard Zago for the Assistant Superintendent of Schools position,” Odom said. “Richard is a visionary leader driven by a deep desire for student academic success.

“He knows how to build collaborative instructional teams with a record of proven academic success.  Rutherford County Schools faces the challenge of implementing the new Common Core State Standards curriculum over the next several years and I believe Richard Zago is the educator to lead that process.”

Zago currently serves as the principal of Stewarts Creek Elementary School, where he has served since the school opened six years ago. He previously was the principal of Smyrna Elementary School, an assistant principal at Rock Springs Elementary, a Hands-On Science liaison for Tennessee State University and a teacher at David Youree Elementary School.

“I feel honored to be selected from such a well-respected group of applicants.” Zago said. “I’m excited to work with Mr. Odom and help continue the growth Rutherford County has experienced over the past decade.”

Duke has served as the assistant principal at Thurman Francis Arts Academy for the past six years.

“Jeff understands the culture and he understands the challenges of the school because it has both a traditional and magnet program,” Odom said of Duke. “He’s built a strong community of support.”

Previously Duke served for 10 years as a sixth-grade teacher at Homer Pittard Campus School and 10 years as a special education teacher for Manchester City Schools.

“I want to thank Mr. Gill and Mr. Odom for the opportunity to serve at Thurman Francis,” Duke said. “I have some tough shoes to fill but I look forward to the challenge.”

Current Thurman Francis principal Andra Helton is retiring after the 2011-2012 school year.