Thomasville City Schools Names Interim Superintendent, Releases Survey

Thomasville City Schools Names Dr. Rodney Shotwell Interim Superintendent

Thomasville City Schools has announced its new interim superintendent ahead of the upcoming school year.

The school district said Dr. Rodney Shotwell will begin serving as interim superintendent on June 1, 2026.

Shotwell previously served as interim superintendent of Lexington City Schools and is described by the district as a seasoned leader with decades of experience in North Carolina public education.

Before his work in Lexington, Shotwell served as superintendent of Rockingham County Schools from 2006 until 2020. During his tenure, he was recognized as North Carolina Superintendent of the Year in 2015.

In 2020, the Rockingham County Board of Education terminated Shotwell’s contract. Shotwell later filed a lawsuit in Rockingham County Superior Court, claiming the board never provided a reason for the termination. The lawsuit ultimately resulted in his reinstatement, and he later voluntarily stepped away from the position in 2022.

In a statement, Shotwell said he looks forward to working closely with the Thomasville community in his new role as interim superintendent.

The appointment comes as Thomasville City Schools continues its search for a permanent superintendent. The district recently launched a community survey seeking public input on the characteristics and qualifications residents would like to see in the next leader of the school system.

Community members can participate in the superintendent search survey through the Thomasville City Schools superintendent search page.