Russellville Mayor proclaims February Career and Technical Education Month

Russellville Mayor David Grissom presents his proclamation designating February Career and Technical Education Month to Dr. AnnaKay Holland, Director of the Russellville City Schools Career and Technical Education Department. Pictured from left to right: RHS career coach Alissa Moore, Genesis Martinez, Leonardo Francisco-Matias, Dr. Holland, Mayor Grissom, Cami Carson, and RCS Supt. Tim Guinn.

On Friday morning, Russellville Mayor David Grissom presented Russellville City Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director Dr. AnnaKay Holland, who was joined by fellow educators, students, and Superintendent Tim Guinn inside the RCS CTE Building, with a framed and signed copy of his mayoral proclamation declaring the month of February Career and Technical Education Month in the City of Russellville.

The mayor’s proclamation states that “career and technical education programs in the Russellville City School System have become a rigorous, progressive, and vital part of the total educational system, which is committed to providing students with rewarding opportunities to gain valuable experience in career and life skills;” that CTE programs at RCS are committed to preparing students for post-prep school life by providing opportunities to explore different career paths; and that the “ever-increasing cooperative partnerships of career and technical educators and business/industry professionals are stimulating the growth and vitality of our local economy and that of the entire state by preparing graduates for career fields forecast to experience the largest and fastest growth in the next decade.”

The proclamation ends with the Mayor urging Russellville residents to “become familiar with the services and benefits Russellville is offered by the career and technical education programs in this community…”

Grissom’s proclamation couldn’t have come at a more appropriate and meaningful time for the CTE department at Russellville: In early January, RCS opened its expanded and renovated Career and Technical Education Building, a $6.2 million project. This school year, a record 688 RHS students are taking or have completed at least two CTE courses.

“The Mayor's proclamation of CTE Month validates the hard work of Russellville’s educators and students, highlighting the program's vital role in connecting classroom learning to in-demand, high-skill careers in our community,” Holland said. “It acts as a powerful public endorsement, raising awareness among local businesses for potential partnerships, increasing student enrollment, and fostering community support for our programs. The proclamation serves as a powerful validation of our mission to prepare students for the ‘Three Es’: being employed, enrolled, or enlisted.

“We have an amazing faculty and staff at RHS CTE, and I cannot say enough about how hard they work to prepare RHS students for their future,” she added. “This recognition is particularly meaningful this year following the January 2026 opening of Russellville High School's newly remodeled Career Technical Building.”