News & Announcements

Yesterday's winter storm produced significant snow accumulations across our area. Snowpack on area roadways, along with freezing temperatures overnight tonight, will lead to dangerous travel conditions tomorrow. Rutherford County Schools will observe a remote learning day for all students at all grade levels, and an Optional Teacher Workday for all school system employees, on Tuesday, January 18, 2022. Eligible employees are authorized to telework pursuant to policies 7503 and 7550. Eligible employees who elect to telework tomorrow should promptly communicate with their immediate supervisors about those arrangements.

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and Rutherford County School System have been made aware of a social media message circulating through TikTok and other social media outlets about the potential for school violence tomorrow, December 17. Investigations into the social media posts have been conducted around the country, and the posts appear to be a broad nationwide TikTok trend with no specific threat.

Community: NO CREDIBLE THREAT

Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office and Rutherford County School System have been made aware of a social media message circulated through Snapchat threatening students and school personnel at a school described as "Central High School." The message was supposedly posted by “Alex Anderson” (who is not a student at any school in Rutherford County).

This message has been broadly recirculated through the school community and throughout the county.

School officials and law enforcement personnel appreciate all the calls, texts, and tip line calls alerting us to this message and the potential threat it expresses.

We have investigated the source of the message and its recirculation within the local school community. However, at this time, we do not believe the message is connected to a school in Rutherford County or poses any threat to students or employees at a school in Rutherford County.

Investigations into the social media post have been conducted in several communities with a "Central High School" around the country, and the post appears to target Central High School in St. Joseph, MO, not R-S Central High School.

At all times, the safety of the students and schools in Rutherford County are our top priority.

We will continue to monitor social media activity, investigate real and potential threats, and take every step necessary to ensure a safe school environment.

Capt. Leon Godlock, School Resource Officer Supervisor

Capt. Chris Lovelace, Rutherford County Schools Investigator

Contact Information:
CAPT. LEON GODLOCK
Support Service
828-287-6395
[email protected]

Rutherford County Schools is attempting to gather feedback for the Rutherford County Health Department on the interest level of parents concerning COVID-19 vaccinations for 5-11 year olds through the local health department. Please complete this short survey to share your feedback with the health department.

Effective Monday, August 30, face coverings are required for students, school
employees, and visitors within the classroom setting.

Face Coverings Within the School Environment

As required by State law and public health guidance, Rutherford County Schools provided a remote learning program during the 2020-2021 school year. At this time, it is unclear whether State law and public health guidance will continue to require a remote learning program during the 2021-2022 school year. However, Rutherford County Schools is preparing for the possibility of a remote learning program by collecting applications for participation. A final decision about the actual availability of a remote learning program is subject to applicable State guidance.

Rutherford County Schools will accept applications from Monday, May 10, through Friday, May 28. A separate application must be submitted for each child seeking admission to the remote learning program.

Applicants will be notified of their tentative admission status, pending applicable State guidance, by Monday, June 14.

To apply online, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/JYRL7W2.

During its meeting on March 2, the Rutherford County Board of Education determined that all elementary schools will transition to Plan A for face-to-face instruction for five days a week beginning Monday, March 22, 2021. Students who are currently attending school face-to-face for two days a week under the hybrid plan will automatically transition to attending five days a week.

Under Plan A, families will continue to have the option to participate in the Full-Time Remote Learning Program. In preparation for the transition to Plan A on March 22, we are asking only the parents who wish to make a change to their child's learning program to do so by submitting a new intent form.

To indicate a change to your child’s learning program, please submit that selection by completing this form, or by calling your child’s school, no later than 5:00 pm on Friday, March 5, 2021.

The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Rutherford County and surrounding areas. A winter storm approaching our area overnight tonight is expected to produce significant ice accumulations on area roadways, trees, and power lines through mid- to late-morning tomorrow. Dangerous travel conditions and downed trees and power lines are likely.
In anticipation of those conditions, Rutherford County Schools will observe a remote learning day for all students at all grade levels, and an Optional Teacher Workday for all school system employees, on Thursday, February 18. Eligible employees who face hazardous travel conditions tomorrow are authorized to telework pursuant to policies 7503 and 7550. Eligible employees who elect to telework tomorrow should promptly communicate with their immediate supervisors regarding those arrangements.