'It is about race and gender' | Monroe County school board votes to part ways with superintendent amid criticism "This woman comes in and does an excellent job and got your out of debt and on the rise and now you say it's time for you to go." Author: Amelia Young (WBIR) Updated: 11:37 PM EST March 1, 2021 MONROE COUNTY, Tenn. — The Monroe County Board of Education voted Monday night 6-2 to buy out their superintendent from her contract. Deanna McClendon was hired in 2019 and was the first woman to hold that position. The decision came with a lot of controversy and people asking why as there was no cause for the action.