HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Huntsville City Schools has announced Dr. Clarence Sutton, Jr. as the new Superintendent of Huntsville City Schools.
The finalists were:
- Dr. Jermaine Dawson from Birmingham City Schools
- Dr. Bren Elliot from D.C. Public Schools
- Dr. Clarence Sutton, Jr. from Huntsville City Schools.
The Huntsville City Board of Education unanimously approved Dr. Clarence Sutton as the district's new superintendent during a regularly scheduled board meeting on Tuesday, June 13. Dr. Sutton previously served as the district's interim superintendent.
He will be the district's first African-American male to serve in the top position.
"I am proud to serve our students, families, teachers and staff members, and community," Dr. Sutton says. "We have the potential to be the best school system in the nation, and I am honored to be part of it."
A statement from Huntsville City Schools shares:
As superintendent, Dr. Sutton says he plans to focus on the following areas:
- Promoting student success
- Supporting teachers and staff members
- Creating a new strategic plan for the district
- Prioritizing system culture, climate, and safety
- Engaging in strong communication and community engagement
Dr. Sutton enters the position with nearly 30 years of experience in public education. He started with Huntsville City Schools in January 2020, and he has served as the district's chief of staff, deputy superintendent of Learning Supports, and chief academic officer.
Prior to Huntsville City Schools, he served as the longtime principal of Central High in Tuscaloosa where the school significantly increased graduation rates, increased yearly scholarship offers for students, and established a career pathway program under his leadership.
Dr. Sutton and his wife, Jameka, have six children and two grandchildren.
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According to a fact sheet provided by Huntsville City Schools, Dr. Dawson serves as the Chief Academic and Accountability Officer for Birmingham City Schools. Dr. Elliot is currently the Chief of School Improvement and Supports for D.C. Public Schools. Dr. Sutton is the current Interim Superintendent for Huntsville City Schools.
Dr. Sutton will take over the role vacated by Christie Finley, who announced her retirement in March.
“It is the right time for the district and the right time for my family,” she had said during the retirement announcement. “Serving as superintendent alongside incredible faculty and staff members has been a true joy. I am looking forward to finishing out the school year strong and continuing to witness the great work taking place in Huntsville City Schools.”
Her career found her serving entirely within the Madison County area, with tenures at the Madison City and County school systems as well as Huntsville City Schools.