RCS Board approves two administrative hires at June meeting

When opportunity for advancement knocks, educators take notice.

When Russellville High School alum Jacob Wallace was offered his first administrative position last year, he took the career step and joined the administration at Hartselle’s F.E. Burleson School as Assistant Principal.

This month, opportunity knocked again, giving Wallace and his family the chance to return home to Russellville. It was a career opportunity the veteran educator could not turn down.

Wallace was hired June 16th as the new Assistant Principal at West Elementary School, one of two administrative hires approved by the Russellville City Schools Board of Education at its June 16th meeting.

Chris Johnson was also announced as the new Assistant Principal at Russellville Elementary School.

Wallace previously served as a Self-Contained Special Education teacher at Russellville City Schools for seven years and was an assistant football coach before leaving for Hartselle for the 2025-26 school year.

“We are pleased to welcome two young men with us today to Russellville City Schools,” RCS Superintendent of Education Tim Guinn said at Tuesday’s meeting. “We know you will do an outstanding job as you join the dedicated team of administrators, faculty and staff at Russellville City Schools.”

Other personnel moves approved by the board included accepting the resignations of Jennah Harrison, WES teacher, Kayla Odom, Russellville Middle School teacher and Patrick Odom, RHS teacher.

The board approved the employment of Marcelle Jawdat and Crissy Palmer as Child Nutrition Program workers, Todd Nelms as RHS teacher, Emma Grace Bendall as WES teacher and Pamela McCreless as RES Librarian.

Temporary employment positions approved by the board included Houston Askew, transportation student worker, Anthony Mayberry, substitute bus driver, Donna Riddle, Child Nutrition Program worker, Brittany Smallwood, WES/RES Summer Program teacher.

Principal contracts were approved for RHS Principal Norman Lier and RMS Principal Monica Moon. Both contracts run from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2029.

The board also approved transfers for Kelly Butler from Assistant Manager to Manager, RMS Child Nutrition Program and Christina Presley, from worker to Assistant Manager, West Elementary School.

Tristan Ray, center, was presented a Meritorius Award by RCS Board President Howard Hillman, left, and RCS Superintendent Tim Guinn.

Other agenda items approved by the board included:

—presentation of a Meritorius Award to RHS senior Tristan Ray honoring his selection to participate in the 2026 North-South All-Star Baseball Game to be held July 20th in Montgomery.

—a facilities use request for the RMS Library on July 30, 2026, for the ALSDE Office of Mathematics Improvement to host ANA Day for administrators and math coaches.

—a contract with A+ College Ready for the services of Gina McCarley to serve as the Computer Science Director for grades K-10 for a 12-month period.

—approved an agreement with the CNP National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program for participation in the Community Eligibility Provision for 2026-27, meaning all RCS students will receive breakfast and lunch at no cost. Students participating in board-approved activities may also receive an after-school snack at no cost. 2026-27 meal prices for visitors and staff will be: No charge for employee breakfast at WES and RES in return for assisting with breakfast in classrooms, $3.75 for employee breakfast at RHS and RMS, $5.50 for employee lunch all schools, $3.75 for all visitor breakfasts and $5.50 for visitor lunches.

—accepted the lowest responsible bid for lawn maintenance for the coming year from New Leaf Lawn Care, at a cost of $82,425.00.

The next regular scheduled meeting of the RCS Board of Education will be July 21, 2026, at 3:30 p.m.