Rockwood Superintendent Bruce Borchers Receives Contract Offer in Tennessee

Rockwood School District Superintendent Bruce Borchers was offered a contract to become the superintendent of the Oak Ridge School District in Tennessee Monday evening, just minutes ago.

Oak Ridge school board's five members voted unanimously to offer Borchers the lead role of their district, Knoxville News Sentinel reporter Bob Fowler tells Patch. 

For background, read previous breaking news alerts:

Rockwood's Superintendent Borchers Looks South for Potential New Job

Oak Ridge school officials want Borchers to report to duty earlier than the original date of June 15, which is when the contract with interim superintendent Bob Smallridge expires. The Oak Ridge superintendent spot was vacated when Tom Bailey retired Dec. 31.

"The earlier we can get him on board the better, due to being in the middle of budget season," said Oak Ridge board of director Bob Eby.

Borchers new salary offer is $175,000, according to Flower.

He said board members appointed a three-person committee to hammer out the contract's details, and that they anticipate having it cleared and ready within a week.

Rockwood Board of Education President Janet Strate on Thursday stated board of directors wanted to assure staff and community that their "focus remains on students and doing what is best for them."

"Several critical decisions will be made within the next week. On Tuesday, voters will decide on two board members and on Prop S. Additionally, the board will be determining the time line for selecting a replacement for Steve Smith. We will communicate openly with our community about all of these important issues," said Strate.