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