MCS superintendent Robby Parker will retire Feb. 28
MADISON – Madison City Schools superintendent Robby Parker announced his retirement tonight to school board members. His last day will be Feb. 28.
Parker has led the school district for three years after being picked by the school board to replace long-time superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler.
Parker is a 31 year veteran of Madison schools, having served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and assistant superintendent before taking the top spot in Jan. 2017.
He has been with school district since its inception in 1998, seeing it through explosive enrollment and rising accolades as a top performing school district. His school leadership assignments included Discovery and Liberty Middle, and Bob Jones High School where he spent 10 years as principal. Parker also played a key role in the planning for James Clemens High School.
“I am so thankful for the 31 years I have spent in the schools of Madison, Alabama,” Parker said. “It has been a joy and I will miss my kids tremendously.
“The Lord placed me here, and he is leading me somewhere different today,” he continued. “Madison City Schools is truly one of America’s best school systems because of our kids and staff and it will continue to get better. I will always be the #1 cheerleader and advocate for Madison City Schools.”
Parker said he does not know at this point what his next pursuits may be.
“The Board of Education extends its gratitude to Mr. Parker for his service, dedication and loyalty to Madison City Schools,” said school board president Ranae Bartlett. “He is one of the most popular administrators we have ever had, and he will be missed. We wish him the best in his future endeavors, and will focus on finding the best person to continue to lead Madison City Schools.”
Parker will be handing over a school system with a strong foundation both academically and financially. Under his superintendent leadership, rezonings and major school renovations have helped manage record enrollment gains, 6th graders were moved from elementary schools into the middle schools; special education, foreign language and STEM programs were strengthened; SROs were added; and for the 3rd consecutive year, every single school earned an A on the state report card.
Parker also led the community-wide campaign for a 12-mil property tax increase to build new schools and strengthen school safety and security.
The Board requested BOE attorney Woody Sanderson to assist them in the search for a new superintendent.
Parker sent out the following message through the school district’s messenger system to MCS employees and parents of students within the school district:
Everyone,
Tonight, I announced my plans to retire from Madison City Schools after 31 years. My heart is heavy because I will not see our kids every day, but it has been heavy for that reason for the last 4 ½ years.
In 2015, I knew The Lord was calling me away from the school to the Central Office. Very frankly, I didn’t want to leave the kids and school, but I knew the Central Office was where I was supposed to be. I believe The Lord placed me here to help lead our town through a tremendous growth and transition period. Even though being around the kids less has weighed on me every day since July 2015, I know I made the right decision.
I did not always want to be a teacher. I did love school, but I wanted to be an athlete – not a coach and teacher. In 1984, The Lord called me to be a teacher. I was never so sure of anything in my life, but I didn’t think I could do it. I was a restless student and the thought of me being the teacher would be hilarious to all of my friends. I fought it for a year, but decided I would do it. Nobody laughed like I thought they would and it was the best professional decision of my life. I loved every second of the 27 years I was at Liberty, Discovery and Bob Jones.
Rest assured, our district WILL NOT just be OK with me leaving. It WILL BE BETTER! Each one of our elementary, middle and high schools are ranked in the top 2% of schools in America. Our district is ranked in the top 50 school districts in America. Our system is outstanding and will get even better with the great students, teachers, staff, board and parents we have.
In 1984, The Lord called me to teach. I was never so sure of anything in my life. Now, The Lord is leading me away from the Superintendent role. I am equally as sure of that. I do not know what I will do next, but I will always love all of the thousands of kids that have shared their lives with me for 31 years. I will be forever thankful for the trust and love all of you have given me. I am also thankful to this Board, former Boards and former Superintendents for the confidence they have shown in me.
In closing, I am thankful to The Lord for the strength and enthusiasm He has given me the last 31 years. For any good I have done, I thank The Lord. For all the mistakes I have made, I am sorry. I promise that I was hustling and made the best, prayerful decisions I could make. I will work through the end of February and will always be Madison City Schools greatest advocate.
Robby Parker
