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Bice takes state post
By Tim Reeves
Dr. Tommy Bice, superintendent of Alexander City schools, struggled with the terminology for a personnel change he was presenting to the board of education Thursday night. It was a change to the system's leadership team and a change he did not expect two weeks ago.
"I am not really sure how to categorize this tonight," Bice told the five members of the Alexander City Board of Education. "But, I ask that tonight you please accept my resignation as superintendent effective May 30."
Earlier in the day, the Alabama State Board of Education unanimously approved Bice as the new deputy superintendent. The announcement was made during their board's meeting in Montgomery Thursday morning.
State Superintendent Joe Morton told the Associated Press that Bice's strength and expertise would contribute to the efforts to improve the quality of K-12 education in Alabama, which has been the case in Alexander City during Bice's time in the city school system.
Among Bice's many accomplishments as superintendent, the American Association of School Administrators awarded the National Civic Star Award to the Alexander City School System in 2007. The system was the first in the state to have all its schools designated demonstration sites for the Alabama Reading Initiative.
"It has been a whirlwind of day that has ended with this announcement this evening," Bice said following the Alexander City board's meeting.
City school leaders, which had known of Bice's opportunity at the state level for a few days, were not quick to accept his resignation.
"I guess we have to go ahead with this," Chairperson Sarah Beth Gettys said. "Do I hear a motion for this personnel change?"
After a long silence where none of the board wanted to move on, a motion and second were finally made and the motion passed.
"This is home," Bice said, adding he and his family will continue to call Alexander City home and his three children will remain in Alexander City schools while he makes the commute to work in Montgomery. "I plan to be very involved, very active in this community regardless.
"This is where I went to school. This is where I came to back to and this is where the best years of my career have been spent," Bice said. "I am looking forward to this opportunity and excited that we can continue to live here."
In her comments at the meeting, Gettys said the process of finding a replacement would begin immediately.
"It is the consensus of the school board that we are very pleased with the progress our system has experienced over the past five years," she said. "In order to ensure a seamless transition, the board has decided that the appointment of the new superintendent be made internally from within the existing administrative team, all individuals who meet the qualifications for the position of superintendent will be considered as a candidate."
Bice said although he is completely removed from the process to select his replacement, he is pleased with the board's decision to find the next superintendent from within the system.
"I am glad to hear they want to continue with the steps and path we have put this system on without skipping a beat," Bice said. "We don't have time for someone to relearn what we are doing. Our kids don?t have time for someone to learn what we are doing."
Associated Press reports contributed to this article.
"I am not really sure how to categorize this tonight," Bice told the five members of the Alexander City Board of Education. "But, I ask that tonight you please accept my resignation as superintendent effective May 30."
Earlier in the day, the Alabama State Board of Education unanimously approved Bice as the new deputy superintendent. The announcement was made during their board's meeting in Montgomery Thursday morning.
State Superintendent Joe Morton told the Associated Press that Bice's strength and expertise would contribute to the efforts to improve the quality of K-12 education in Alabama, which has been the case in Alexander City during Bice's time in the city school system.
Among Bice's many accomplishments as superintendent, the American Association of School Administrators awarded the National Civic Star Award to the Alexander City School System in 2007. The system was the first in the state to have all its schools designated demonstration sites for the Alabama Reading Initiative.
"It has been a whirlwind of day that has ended with this announcement this evening," Bice said following the Alexander City board's meeting.
City school leaders, which had known of Bice's opportunity at the state level for a few days, were not quick to accept his resignation.
"I guess we have to go ahead with this," Chairperson Sarah Beth Gettys said. "Do I hear a motion for this personnel change?"
After a long silence where none of the board wanted to move on, a motion and second were finally made and the motion passed.
"This is home," Bice said, adding he and his family will continue to call Alexander City home and his three children will remain in Alexander City schools while he makes the commute to work in Montgomery. "I plan to be very involved, very active in this community regardless.
"This is where I went to school. This is where I came to back to and this is where the best years of my career have been spent," Bice said. "I am looking forward to this opportunity and excited that we can continue to live here."
In her comments at the meeting, Gettys said the process of finding a replacement would begin immediately.
"It is the consensus of the school board that we are very pleased with the progress our system has experienced over the past five years," she said. "In order to ensure a seamless transition, the board has decided that the appointment of the new superintendent be made internally from within the existing administrative team, all individuals who meet the qualifications for the position of superintendent will be considered as a candidate."
Bice said although he is completely removed from the process to select his replacement, he is pleased with the board's decision to find the next superintendent from within the system.
"I am glad to hear they want to continue with the steps and path we have put this system on without skipping a beat," Bice said. "We don't have time for someone to relearn what we are doing. Our kids don?t have time for someone to learn what we are doing."
Associated Press reports contributed to this article.
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