MIDDLEBOURNE – Tyler County Schools Superintendent Shane Highley said he has been “overwhelmed” by the amount of support he’s received from the community.

But Highley, who is being removed from his position following a 3-2 vote by the board of education, said he is not ready to share the “whole story.”

Board of education members have not revealed why they decided not to renew Highley’s contract as superintendent of the school system. Highley said Feb. 10 that he would leave it to members of the board to disclose that information.

“That is a question they will need to answer by the three board members that voted to not renew my contract,” he said. “I received ‘meets or exceeds’ standards on all goals that the board set for me this past fall.”

The board of education has actually voted twice on the matter with the vote coming up the same each time, a 3-2 decision.

Board members Diane Stender, Larry Thomas and Andy Shreves voted against renewing Highley’s contract, while Board President Katrina Byers and board member Scott Strode voted to keep Highley.

Members of the school community have spoken out against the board’s decision, saying Highley is just the kind of leader the district continues to need. Some people even brought signs to the meetings expressing support for Highley. One sign stated, “Rescind your vote. Renew contract. Kids come first, not personal agendas.” Another sign stated, “Do the right thing, renew Highley’s contract.”

Highley said he appreciates the support.

“I have been overwhelmed and so blessed with everyone who has reached out to me in support,” he said. “I didn’t take this job for personal gratification; my goal my whole career has been to help as many students as possible become productive members of society and in the end just be good humans.

“We have a great team here in Tyler County, from the service personnel to the teachers all the way up to the county office administrators. It is not very often you get to be on a team where everyone is rowing the boat in the same direction.”

Highley added that he wanted to thank everyone who has reached out to him and his family during the controversy.

“When the time is right, I will make sure I share the whole story. Again, it’s not about me, it’s about kids,” he said.

Strode said on Feb. 10 that the reason he voted to renew Highley’s contract was that the “school system speaks for itself.”

“He had the overwhelming support of every department in the county which is unheard of with staff/superintendent relations historically anywhere,” Strode said. “Mr Highley has an incredible talent for uniting large groups of people and empowering them to be their best at whatever it is they are tasked with.

“Not to mention Mr. Highley’s annual review was at or above the goals set by this BOE.”

Regarding the ultimate decision brought by the 3-2 vote, Strode said he could speak as to why some of fellow board members voted the way they did. He said disclosing the decision publicly is not a requirement.

“I don’t have an answer for you as to why the contract was nonrenewed,” Strode said. “That’s a question for the three that voted against as they have yet to convey anything to myself.”

Neither Stender, Thomas nor Shreves could be reached for comment.