Lier promoted to RHS principal
A week into the new school year, Russellville High School has its new principal. Lt. Col. (Ret.) Norman Lier’s promotion from RHS vice principal to principal was approved by a 4-0 vote at the Russellville City Schools Board of Education meeting on Thursday, August 15th.
RCS Superintendent Tim Guinn, who made the recommendation of Lier to the Board, said Lier has the right qualities and the abilities to do the job.
“Colonel Lier brings with him a lot of experience with him, both in life and administration,” Guinn said. “He spent more than 20 years as an officer of the United States Army and finished his career with the famed 75th Ranger regiment.
“When he first got to Russellville as the senior Army instructor for ROTC, he was, at that time, a certified teacher in the social sciences in Alabama. And then shortly after coming to Russellville, he got his administrative certificate and has often filled in at Russellville High School, many times acting in the place of the principal when the principal wasn’t there,” Guinn added. “He has since been assistant principal at both Ardmore in Limestone County and Elkmont, as well. So, I’m glad to have him back and I think he’s got a lot of experience behind him. I think he’s going to do well.”
Lier, whose previous stint at Russellville was as JROTC instructor for 2009 to 2021, replaces former principal Jeremy Madden, who resigned after two years in the role at RHS to take the principal position at Northside High School. Lier, who was hired as vice principal at the beginning of the summer, said he and his family are excited about being back in Russellville and he’s looking forward to working with the faculty, staff, and students.
“I love Russellville, and I think I’ve said before that I had a good friend that came here and that’s when I fell in love with the area. When I had the opportunity to come back, I jumped at it and I didn’t think twice,” he said. “We have got the greatest students and the greatest faculty. I’ll match them up against anybody, anywhere, anytime.
“My wife, Rhonda, she’s excited about the opportunity to get back down here and be a part of the community,” he added.
Lier said his top priority as principal will be doing everything he can to help the students and teachers excel.
“The most important people are in the classroom, and that’s the teachers and the students,” he said. “My job is to do everything I can to help them be successful.”
Lier’s recommendation and subsequent Board approval as principal was the only personnel action item on the agenda. Board member Howard Hillman made the motion to approve Guinn’s recommendation and Radford Hester seconded it. The motion was approved 4-0 with Board member Greg Trapp absent.