Education options in Rutherford County are changing. Learn more at our program. Image credit: unsplash.com/@deleece
The public is invited to learn more about local options for and anticipated impact of charter schools here in Rutherford County in this program hosted by the nonpartisan League of Women Voters.
Representatives from local, state, and charter school organizations will make presentations and remarks from 6:30-7:15. After a 15 minute break for light refreshments and mingling, the presenters will answer questions from 7:30 to 8:00.
Speakers will include:
Tess Stovall, Executive Director, Tennessee Public Charter School Commission
Caitlin Bullard, Ed.D., School Choice/ Charter Coordinator, Rutherford County Schools
Jared McLeod, Executive Director, Springs Charter Schools, whose Empower Academy has been approved for Rutherford County
The event will be moderated by former Rutherford County Commissioner and local League of Women Voters member Rhonda Allen.
About the speakers
Tess Stovall, Executive Director of the Tennessee Public Charter School Commission, previously served as the Director of Charter Schools for the Tennessee State Board of Education for six years leading the State Board’s work as an appellate authorizer of charter schools. Prior to coming back to her home state of Tennessee in 2012, Tess worked on federal policy in Washington, DC . She is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of The George Washington University and earned a Master of Science Degree in Political Sociology from the London School of Economics. Learn more at https://www.tn.gov/tn-public-charter-school-commission/about-us/executive-director.html
Caitlin Bullard, Coordinator of School Choice and Charter Schools for Rutherford County Schools, oversees all charter authorizing responsibilities and has led the expansion of the district’s school choice program. She began her career as a Nashville Teaching Fellow and middle school teacher. She has worked across Middle Tennessee as a teacher, instructional coach, and elementary school principal. Caitlin holds a B.S. from Middle Tennessee State University, a M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction from Johns Hopkins University, and Education Specialist and Doctorate degrees from Trevecca Nazarene University, where she also serves as a dissertation adviser.
Jared McLeod, Executive Director with Springs Charter Schools, says, “Following the mantra that we are never done learning, I’ve since gone back to school to earn my certificate in Gifted and Talented Education, my Administrative Services Credential, and currently finishing my Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership. I have spent my whole career in charter school education, working as a classroom teacher, site administrator, and member of senior leadership as well.” Jared graduated first in his class at Cal Poly Pomona University in 2010 with a degree in Liberal Studies and a Multiple Subject Teaching Credential. Learn more at https://springscs.org/bios/jared-mcleod
About the venue
Patterson Park Community Center is located at 521 Martin Luther King Blvd. in Murfreesboro. We will be in the dining room near the back of the building. Patterson Park has ample free parking.
Related reading
Rutherford County Board of Education approves one charter school application, rejects another
