Unlikely groups are backing the fired Rockingham County Schools superintendent, Dr. Rodney Shotwell. Author: Chad Silber Updated: 1:46 PM EST December 18, 2020 ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, N.C. — It's not often you see a political party defend a member of the opposite party who was fired. That's the current situation in Rockingham County. On Monday, the Republican-led county Board of Education fired Superintendent Dr. Rodney Shotwell. He's a registered Republican, according to online records. Thursday night, the Rockingham County Democratic Party condemned his firing. In a statement regarding the 4-3 vote, the party said it "vehemently denounces the recent action of four members of the Rockingham County Board of Education."