Clay County Director Of Schools Announces Retirement

After seven years in the Clay County School System, Director of Schools Matt Eldridge has announced his retirement.

Eldridge made his decision public during Thursday night’s board of education meeting. Eldridge said he will officially step down on December 31, 2021.

“My wife’s retired from teaching and we’re going to try to slow down and visit our children a little bit,” Eldridge said. “We’ve got one in Knoxville, one in Texas and one still at home with us. We’re going to try and do a few more things like that and we’re very fortunate and I’m very fortunate to have gotten to spend my last seven years in Clay County.”

Eldridge said he started in the county as an assistant principal at Celina K-8. He said after working in several different school districts, the people in Clay County were some of the most talented he’s encountered in a 35 year career.

“The teachers, they’ve done a great job,” Eldridge said. “They were good when I took it over and they’re still good. We were overall five on our scores during the COVID problems and things like that. That’s a big tribute to them and the hard work they do, how dedicated they are to the kids and the county.”

Eldridge said he can step down with confidence. He said when he leaves, the district is in strong hands with the current board of education make up.

“The board of education here does a fabulous job, they want the best for the kids,” Eldridge said. “They’re very stable in their values and good Christian values and very stable on what they know we need. They’ll find a director that does a great job, no doubt.”

Eldridge said he cannot narrow down to one memory he cherishes most from his time in the district. He said it was just an honor to spend these seven years with people who love and care about kids.