Happy New Year! The holidays are now behind us, and while they were quick, I’m thankful for the time we had to slow down and enjoy time with family and friends. Now that we’re back in the swing of things, it’s time to continue the progress we began during the fall semester.
Achieving a favorable accreditation review and earning a B on the state report card are significant accomplishments that reflect the dedication and hard work of our entire school system. In addition, every school either maintained or increased overall scores from the previous year. While there is still much work to be done, the 100% academic growth indicator is a clear indication of progress. It’s encouraging to know that students are demonstrating improvement in reading and math, as evidenced by standardized testing results.
This month’s launch of the district’s new online enrollment is an exciting development on our path forward. While such transitions have their challenges, it’s great to be able to give our stakeholders what they’ve long been asking for – enhanced efficiency by embracing technology. The move toward paperless forms and the ability to complete them well in advance of the school year is a positive step forward, streamlining processes for both families and administrators. There’s much more to come on this, so stay connected through social media or ParentSquare, our district’s communication tool, for more details.
The distinct cadences yet shared values of the Autaugaville, Billingsley, Marbury, and Prattville communities help shape who we are as a school system. Embracing the passion, ideas, and ideals of our communities will allow us to achieve success beyond what we’ve ever known. I’m working to harness this power through new Superintendent Advisory Councils in the weeks to come. I envision community leaders, local organizations, and everyday people coming together to support our students. Through honest conversations and a desire for the greater good to win out, we will move our district forward, changing the trajectory of our student’s lives by living out my “why not us” motto.
Lyman Woodfin is a 17-year veteran of the school system having served as a classroom teacher, coach, and school administrator. Most recently, Lyman Woodfin was the Marbury High School principal, serving the 560-student school since 2018. During his tenure, he was credited with overhauling the curriculum offerings to meet all students’ educational needs, including adding new vocational classes in broadcasting, business, agriculture, and construction. He is married to Staci and they have five children who attend school in the district.