Tim Guinn's military influence was apparent during his interview Monday afternoon for the vacant superintendent position with Russellville City Schools. And it went well beyond his respectful “Yes, sir” and “Yes, ma'am” answers.
Guinn's interview was the second of the day, as he followed Lawrence County superintendent of education Heath Grimes, who met with RCS board members Monday morning.
Guinn shared his vision for the system with the Russellville Board of Education. He described a work environment where administrators, teachers and educational staff members share the fundamental “core beliefs and values” to continue moving the system forward.
Guinn labeled his biggest strength as the “ability to organize and motivate a group toward the development of a goal,” a skill he attributed to his tenure in the Alabama National Guard and United States Army Reserve Commission. Guinn retired with the rank of Lt. Colonel, although his military ties remain in his role as president of the Northwest Alabama Chapter of the Association of the U.S. Army.
“My other main strength is also a weakness, at times, and that's my work ethic,” Guinn said. “I don't like leaving things on my desk undone. I believe in finishing each job you start. But sometimes, I haven't put important things first like home and family."
Guinn has served as Russellville High School principal since 2009. He worked as assistant principal at RHS from 2002-09 and served as Vina High School principal from 1999-02.
Grimes, in his second elected term as Lawrence County superintendent, is a graduate of the University of North Alabama and was a letterman on the 1994 and 1995 national championship Lion football teams.
Grimes has participated in the Leadership Alabama program and was chosen last year as north Alabama's lone participant in the Lamar University Superintendent Academy.
Grimes described his vision for Russellville City Schools to develop a marketing plan to work in conjunction with economic development officials in Franklin County.
“We need to have a marketable plan to emphasize our strengths in this system that are attractive to industry,” Grimes said. “I'm not proposing spending money on marketing over our students, but we need a plan so businesses and industries looking here realize what an asset this system is. We need a strong career tech program that allows our people to come back and work and thrive here in Russellville.
“We need to get business and industrial leaders together with our system and determine what skills are needed, then create programs to develop those skills in order to have trained, ready-to-work graduates.”
Grimes described Alabama's public education system as being “under attack,” indicating that to be the biggest challenge facing Alabama public educators.
“Public education is becoming less of a priority as a result of these attacks. The challenge we face as a system is to our public schools are good—here's why and show how we are producing college and career ready graduates,” Grimes said.
Grimes told board members he's developed an entry plan in the event he is offered the superintendent's job. That plan includes 30-, 60- and 90-day goals.
“I'd first ask to sit down with this board in a work session or meeting and talk about your strategic plan for this system. Once I understand that, I genuinely believe I can carry that plan out in this system,” Grimes said.
As an elected official, Grimes was asked how he would handle his resignation in Lawrence County if offered the Russellville job.
“My first call would be to the board president to tell him where this was headed," Grimes said. "Then I would begin individual meetings from office staff to principals, and then get ready for a public statement."
Guinn told the board how he would embrace technology in the classroom if he was hired as superintendent.
“I hope to have the opportunity to do one-to-one initiatives where each student has textbooks contained on an electronic instrument," Guinn said. "Technology is the wave of the future."
Guinn outlined his plans to expand career tech opportunities in Russellville City Schools, with a focus on offering “programs more indigenous to this area and the skills needed by local industry.”
He also hopes to develop programs that involve internships at local industries to allow students to “get hands-on rather than just classroom experience. That may be more of a viable option than we think,” Guinn said.
Both candidates hope to build on the growth the system has seen under current superintendent Rex Mayfield.
“I've really enjoyed working with Rex. I've never worked with a more supportive and dedicated superintendent,” Guinn said. “He, Don Cox and Wayne Ray have been my mentors for years, and I appreciate the time and patience they've taken with me."
“Russellville is a great school system. I've watched Mr. Mayfield through the superintendent's association, and I recognize and appreciate the job he's done,” Grimes said.
Last week, the board interviewed Dr. Vicky Spear, Vinemont Middle School principal, and Dr. Michael McInnis from Grenada, Miss. McInnis withdrew his name from consideration last week, leaving Spear, Grimes and Guinn as the remaining candidates.
Board members went into executive session for more than two hours following Monday's interviews but returned to the meeting and adjourned with no hiring action taken. A special meeting will likely be called once board members have extended an offer to their chosen candidate.
