Tennessee Superintendent Retiring Over School's Handling of Alleged Rape Incident

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (TheBlaze/AP) -- A Tennessee school superintendent is stepping down amid criticism over how his district handled reports of a rape of a high school basketball player by three teammates.

Image source: WRCB-TV

Hamilton County Schools Superintendent Rick Smith issued a statement Monday saying he was retiring July 1 and that he was taking leave effective immediately.

The announcement comes just six days after Smith told WRCB-TV, "I am staying on the job."

The school district has come under scrutiny over its response to the Ooltewah High School rape case. Gatlinburg police say a basketball player required emergency surgery after teammates held him down and assaulted him with a pool cue on Dec. 22.

The Hamilton County Board of Education voted against buying out Smith's contract last week.

With his retirement, Smith is entitled to about $240,000 in accumulated vacation and sick leave compensation, in addition to an annual pension of about $95,000, WRCB-TV reported.

Ooltewah basketball coach Andre Montgomery, assistant coach Karl Williams and athletic director Allard Nayadley face charges of failing to report the abuse.

–