Shope resigns as Lynchburg-Clay superintendent

The Lynchburg-Clay Board of Education is set to accept the resignation of Superintendent Dr. Shane Shope at their Thursday, Aug. 21 board meeting.

Shope's resignation will be effective Jan. 2, 2015, after which he will begin a new career as a professor at Morehead State University in Morehead, Ky.

"I will be starting at Morehead State University January 5," Shope told The Highland County Press. "I'm going to take advantage of the opportunity to pursue my lifelong dream, which was to teach at the college level."

Shope is beginning his fourth year as superintendent of the Lynchburg-Clay Local School District and has worked in the school district for 22 years in various teaching and administration positions.

"I've had a fantastic career with the Lynchburg-Clay school system," Shope said. "It's a great community, a great staff and a wonderful group of people to work for. I'm happy and sad at the same time.

"The district is in great shape from an academic and financial standpoint. I'm going to take this opportunity and move forward."

Shope thanked his coworkers, mentors and the Lynchburg-Clay community.

"It's been a great place to work and grow professionally," Shope said. "The people there are fantastic. Overall, I cannot think of a better place to have taught and worked with students, the community and parents.

"I'll always appreciate the opportunities that were provided for me by the Board of Education here. I can't thank enough people and all the mentors I've had. So many people over the years have really helped me grow as a person and as a professional."