MCBOE Approves Superintendent Contract Amid Talk of City School System
MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Dr. Zickeyous Byrd is officially the new superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools following the Montgomery County Board of Education’s approval of his contract Wednesday night.
However, controversy quickly followed the board’s decision.
Just two hours after the vote, Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed told WVAS radio that he believes the city should establish its own school system — one that would operate independently from the Montgomery County Board of Education.
Despite the absence of two board members, the board unanimously approved contracts for Dr. Zickeyous Byrd and interim Chief School Financial Officer Pamela Watkins.
“I’m just incredibly excited, incredibly thankful and looking forward to getting to work,” Byrd said. “My priorities are to listen and to learn. I’m looking forward to my first week, actually listening to all of our stakeholders, listening to our community members, listening to our employees — just truly learning about the things in the district. But not only listening, [also] coming up with a plan to address those needs.”
Board member Dr. Lesa Keith, who represents District 1, praised the decision.
“I will have to say this is the happiest day I have had,” Keith said. “It’s almost vindication, to be honest with you, for me.”
The board has been at odds with city officials over Byrd’s hiring. Mayor Reed, along with members of the city council, county commission and the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce, previously criticized what they described as a lack of transparency and a limited search process for the superintendent position.
“I think the fight that we’ve put up against some of the city — some of the things that are going on with the possible city [school system] — it’s almost like some people will stop at nothing to take control,” Keith said. “And I think that we are in control and we know what our education system needs.”
Board members expressed confidence that Byrd will bring strong leadership to the district.
“He’s known as the turnaround superintendent,” said Board President Arica Watkins-Smith. “That means he looks at the children who are struggling the most and puts in plans and strategies to help lift those children up. He’s taken schools that were at a D level up to a C and B level.”
When asked about the mayor’s proposal for a separate city school system, Watkins-Smith replied, “Education is hard, and a lot of people think they can do it.” When asked directly if she opposed the idea, she repeated, “Education is hard, and a lot of people think they can do it.”
Keith was more direct in her response.
“I think everybody got what they wanted — at least here,” she said. “Maybe our city leaders that again wanted to control didn’t. Well, hello? Either get on the bus or get off the bus. But hey, if you want to do the city thing, knock yourself out.”
Any move to create a separate city school system would require approval from the state legislature. We reached out to Mayor Reed to find out details about what that process would entail, and we’re waiting to hear back.
Dr. Byrd’s first official day as superintendent is May 1. He said he has not yet met with the mayor or other local officials but plans to do so soon.
