SPS hires executive-level staffer

Photo provided by Springfield Public Schools

Ron Woodard comes to SPS after a four-year tenure as assistant superintendent for Maury County Public Schools.

Springfield Public Schools hired a new executive director of secondary learning.

Ron Woodard is scheduled to take on the role Aug. 1. He comes to SPS from Tennessee’s Maury County Public Schools, where he served the last four years as assistant superintendent of instruction, according to a news release.

"It is truly a blessing and an honor to join a team of committed professionals who are so intentional and passionate about helping children succeed," Woodard said in the release.

Woodard succeeds Shane Dublin, who recently accepted a position at the Willard School District, said SPS spokesperson Teresa Bledsoe.

Prior to his work at Maury County Public Schools, Woodard was a 12-year building administrator and four-year science teacher with Metro Nashville Public Schools. He's credited with helping turn around the academic prowess of Maplewood High School and Apollo Middle School in Nashville, and he's received national recognition for his work on dropout prevention, according to the release.

At SPS, his salary will be $136,998, said Bledsoe. In his position, he'll oversee all secondary learning academics and athletic programming.