HUNTSVILLE, Alabama — Public education is always an important topic of discussion. Presented in partnership with The Schools Foundation, the State of the Schools event focuses on the mission, vision, and strategic goals for the future of public education across Madison County. This event brings together the business and education communities to highlight Pre-K through 12th grade education programs that are preparing students for long-term success in the region. During this event, the superintendents of Huntsville City Schools, Madison County Schools, and Madison City Schools shared updates.
Public education is always an important topic of discussion. Huntsville City Schools Superintendent Christie Finley said today was a great day for Madison City, Madison County, and Huntsville City Schools! "All three school districts were able to share our challenges and opportunities," she stated.
Superintendent Finley said it was great to be able to highlight where they have come as a district."And the things that we have come through as we move forward for working to do what's best for our students," she continued.
Madison City Schools Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols said last year's increase in teacher pay will lead toward teacher retention. "First of all, let me applaud the legislature for increasing teacher pay last year, but most of those increases were at the top end for teachers who've been 25, 30, and 35 years," he explained. What we're finding today is a difficulty in recruiting young people into the profession," said Dr. Nichols. However, they do have a plan. "So we're going to have to become competitive with starting salaries if we want young people to make that decision to go into teaching," he stated.
Dr. Nichols said that he could assure that the staff and faculty of their school district will respond rapidly if there was ever an emergency. "We've got some things we're going to roll out in the next couple of weeks that will be new to Madison City Schools, that will address specifically some upgrades in our safety and our response," he continued.