Vinton County schools face leadership shakeup after multiple resignations

Brad Silvus’ retirement notice put Vinton County schools at the center of a leadership shakeup that could ripple into budgets, staffing and day-to-day operations well beyond this spring.

The Vinton County Local Board of Education met Monday evening, April 20, at Central Elementary School in McArthur, where Silvus’ retirement notice was one of several personnel changes discussed. Two principals and a basketball coach also resigned, making the meeting about more than routine staffing adjustments and raising the prospect of a broader transition heading into the 2027-2028 school year.

That timing matters in a small county district where a change at the top can affect how quickly vacancies are filled, how much the district spends on replacements and how smoothly extracurricular programs stay intact. It can also shape the pace of decisions on academic priorities, building leadership and the kind of support families see in classrooms, on buses and at athletic events.

Silvus’ departure comes after only a short stint as superintendent. He was hired in April 2025 to replace retiring Superintendent Rick Brooks, with the transition taking effect June 1, 2025. The district has already moved through a separate round of turnover, including the departure of South Elementary Principal Miranda Smith, who left after 18 years in the district and accepted a job with Alexander Local School District.

The board also accepted seven retirement notices in February 2025, including four teachers, two secretaries and a school nurse. Taken together, the recent exits show a district dealing with a steady stream of departures rather than a single isolated vacancy. That kind of turnover can force leaders to juggle hiring, internal promotions and budget planning at the same time.

For now, the district’s staff directory lists Silvus as superintendent, Erica Zinn as treasurer, Kim Arthur at Central Elementary School, Jaime Cozort at West Elementary School, Danna Peters at South Elementary School, Megan Sowers at Vinton County High School and Thomas Haskell at Vinton County Middle School. Those names represent the current leadership structure as the district navigates the latest round of resignations.

The board’s meeting calendar shows it remains on a regular public schedule, typically on the third Monday of each month, with the next meeting set for May 18, 2026, at Vinton County Middle School. For a district facing multiple departures at once, those meetings will be the place where residents can see how quickly Vinton County moves to stabilize its schools before the next academic year arrives.