MADISON, Ala. (AP) - Former Bob Jones High School principal and current Assistant Superintendent Robby Parker will now lead Madison City Schools.
Multiple media outlets report the district’s board of education Thursday unanimously appointed Parker to the post.
Parker is a longtime Madison City Schools employee, and he will replace Dr. Dee Fowler, who took a job at the State Board of Education. He’s scheduled to take the position Feb. 1.
District officials announced Thursday that Parker received the job over several external candidates. Ed Nichols, who has been serving as interim superintendent, will continue with the school system until his contract expires at the end of February.
All five board members praised Parker before voting, citing his devotion to the school system and the community and his eagerness and vision to take Madison schools to the next level.
“He has earned through his work and his nature and his heart,” board member Connie Spears said in making the motion to hire Parker. “He has earned this opportunity to become our next superintendent.”
Board President Terri Johnson said Parker’s experience as a principal was a deciding factor for her support.
“You have 13 years of experience as principal,” she said. “None of other candidates had more than three years’ experience as principal. That carried so much weight with me - the fact you had 13 fantastic years as principal. You were very successful.”
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