Metro School Board Chair Anna Shepherd Dies at 68

Anna Shepherd, chair of the Metro Nashville Board of Education, has died. She was 68.

According to a release from MNPS, Shepherd was hospitalized last week due to "prior medical issues," and died on Monday night.

Shepherd was elected to the school board in 2010, representing the Donelson, Old Hickory and Hermitage areas, and was serving her second term as its chair. She had previously served as its vice chair.

“We were so fortunate to have the warmth and leadership of Anna in our lives and on the Board of Education,” says MNPS director Dr. Adrienne Battle in a release. “She was a passionate champion of public schools, especially McGavock High School, where she had previously served as President of the Band Boosters. Tough and challenging when necessary, Anna always pushed myself and other district staff to be the best and do the best we could to improve the lives of the students we serve and the quality of education we provide. My prayers are with her husband Larry, her family, and her friends in the community who loved her so dearly.”

Shepherd was central in last year's ouster of then-MNPS director Shawn Joseph. Shepherd's tenure as board chair was marked by several searches for a new director of schools and lawsuits against the state — including a suit against the state's school funding formula, known as the Basic Education Plan. She was also known as something of an intermediary on the board, often serving as a bridge between disagreeing parties and working toward agreements between warring board members.

“As the board chair, Anna was a valued partner, fierce advocate for students, and someone whose thoughts I always sought out," says Mayor John Cooper. "She will be missed."