Dr. Stephen Nowlin is stepping down as superintendent of the Jefferson County Schools, The North Jefferson News has learned.

Two independent sources confirmed to the NJN on Friday afternoon that Nowlin was departing, and that he had been offered a buyout by the board of education. Both sources asked to remain anonymous because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the situation.

Nowlin later confirmed the offer in other media reports. The terms have not been released.

Officials with the board could not be reached for comment.

Nowlin has been the superintendent of the state’s second-largest school system since January 2013, He replaced Dr. Phil Hammonds.

This is a breaking story; we’ll have more updates as additional information becomes available.