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Cabarrus County superintendent announces plans to retire April 1

By Scott Wickersham, wsoctv.com
By Scott Wickersham, wsoctv.com

CABARRUS COUNTY, N.C. — The superintendent of Cabarrus County Schools is retiring.

Dr. Barry Shepherd made the surprise announcement Monday night, notifying the school board that he plans to retire April 1.

Shepherd has served as CCS superintendent since February 2008.
 
It is the second high-level administrator to step down from Cabarrus County Schools this year.

He led the district through unprecedented growth, opening eight new schools and also added new education programs for students.

In his letter, Shepherd said, "I want you to know this was not an easy decision for me. I am proud of the work we've done and all that we've accomplished. Over the past seven years, our school system has experienced unprecedented growth, faced staggering budget cuts and dealt with confounding changes to public school laws."

The letter gives no reason for the sudden retirement decision in the middle of the school year.
 
A school board member told Eyewitness News anchor Scott Wickersham that Shepherd said he wanted to spend more time with his family and his passion for music education.
 
"We talked about it a bit, to make sure this was the decision he wanted to make," said board member Vince Powell. "Make sure there wasn't anything unusual we could help him through, that there was a process there that could have helped."

It's been a time of change for Cabarrus County Schools. It was just last month that Dan Meehan suddenly resigned as assistant superintendent of operations after just 10 months on the job.
 
One parent said the sudden resignation raises some red flags.
 
"To resign, in the middle of the year, right before (end of grade tests), it's a little odd I think," said former teacher Betsy Alley.

The board has not said when it will start searching for a new superintendent.

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