Marshall County native Thorpe named new Superintendent

In a meeting that lasted just under 4 minutes, Marshall County native Bill Thorpe was selected as the next Superintendent of his home district.

Thorpe was approved by the Board of Education on a 4-to-1 vote. The lone no vote came from Mary Beth Riggs. Thorpe, currently the Superintendent of Trigg County Schools, will take over in Marshall County on July 1st. 

Thorpe's career in education has seen him serve in Livingston, Lyon, McCracken, and Trigg Counties along with a pair of stints in the Marshall County system. He left education for the private sector in 1999, according to his bio, but returned after eight years. Following two years at Lyon County Elementary, he moved back to Marshall County, first as an assistant principal at the high school, then as the Director of Pupil Personnel. Thorpe was named Trigg County Superintendent in 2020. 

In a statement read by Board Chair Randy Travis, Thorpe called being selected to lead Marshall County Schools "his greatest accomplishment." Thorpe was not present at the meeting. 

Thorpe, his wife Terri, and their two children already reside in Marshall County.

Travis said a meeting would be held at a later date to finalize Thorpe's contract. It was also announced that a welcome reception is scheduled for Thorpe on May 20th at the Marshall County Performing Arts Center.