Oak Ridge, TN – Oak Ridge Schools has appointed Jenifer Laurendine as the new Executive Director of School Leadership, beginning on November 11, 2024. With a distinguished career as an educational leader, most recently serving as the Principal of Willow Brook Elementary, Laurendine brings a wealth of experience and impressive history of student achievement to this critical leadership role. Laurendine will take over for current Executive Director Bruce Lay, who will retire at the end of the year after nearly 25 years in Oak Ridge Schools. Jason Nussbaum, current Assistant Principal of Willow Brook Elementary, will be named Interim Principal, also effective November 11.
In her new capacity, Laurendine will lead the Principals of Oak Ridge Schools, Maintenance and Operations, Transportation, Extended Childcare (ECC) and oversee summer school programs. Laurendine will manage the district’s Safety and Emergency Operations, chairing the district safety committee and serving as the liaison to local law enforcement.
“It has been a privilege to watch Ms. Laurendine grow as a leader in the decade since she joined our district,” said Dr. Bruce Borchers, Superintendent of Oak Ridge Schools. “Under her guidance, Willow Brook’s student achievement and staff engagement have reached incredible new heights. Her strategic vision has led to measurable academic improvements and a stronger, more cohesive staff—a testament to her deep understanding of education, her ability to inspire those around her, and her unwavering commitment to student success. We are excited to see her impact continue in this new role.”
Laurendine joined Oak Ridge Schools in 2014 as the Coordinator of School Health, transitioning to become Dean of Students and then Assistant Principal of Jefferson Middle School in 2018, before being named Principal Willow Brook Elementary in 2021. In the three years since taking the helm at Willow Brook, student achievement in both ELA and Math has more than doubled, reaching above 50% for the first time in the modern state testing and achievement era. An incredible accomplishment, the elementary school has earned Level 5 distinction and an “A” Letter Grade from the state in each of the years under Laurendine’s leadership. Additionally, Willow Brook has been named a Reward School each of the last two years.
“I am honored to serve the students and families of Oak Ridge Schools in this new capacity,” said Laurendine. “While it’s bittersweet to step away as Principal of Willow Brook, I know Mr. Nussbaum will do incredible things as interim principal and I look forward to having an impact on students across the district on a larger scale. Mr. Lay has laid an incredible foundation for this position, and I am excited to continue to foster our district’s shared vision of excellence in leadership and education.”
Laurendine holds a bachelor’s degree in communications from Geneva College, a master’s degree in in health, physical education and recreation from Delta State University and an Educational Specialist Degree (EdS) in instructional leadership from Lincoln Memorial University. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Jen is married to husband Michael, and together they share daughter Hayven, a 16-year-old junior at Oak Ridge High School.
