Russellville's Ray wins Superintendent Award

By Staff
Melissa Dozier-Cason, FCT staff writer
Russellville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Ray has been selected as Alabama's 2007 Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA).
Ray will represent Alabama's superintendents in the national selection process, and will be honored at the AASA National Conference on Education held in New Orleans in March, according to the SSA.
"Winning this award is both gratifying and humbling," Ray said.
Ray acknowledged that this award is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of the teaching and administrative staffs, and said he is very proud of the system for this accomplishment.
Seven of the nine state districts made nominations for the award. Because there are 18 school systems in our district alone, Ray says he felt honored just to be nominated and really shocked that he won the award.
"I did not expect to win this award since there are so many great superintendents in our state," Ray said.
Other finalists for this award include Dr. Jamie Blair, Vestavia Hills; Dr. Barry Sadler, Eufaula City Schools; Dr. Tommy Bice, Alexander City Schools; Dr. James Carter, Selma City Schools; Dr. Gerald Stephens, Clark County Schools; and Mr. Lee Messer, Talladega City Schools.
Ray has been superintendent at Russellville since 2000. Prior to becoming superintendent, he served as assistant superintendent. His education career began in 1965 as a student teacher at Russellville. He started his career as a coach and biology teacher before becoming assistant principal, then principal at Russellville High School.
Ray's award comes after Ramona Robinson from West Elementary School received the Principle of the Year Award. Robinson traveled to Washington D.C. last month to represent Alabama at the national level. The Russellville Education Association will host a reception honoring both Ray and Robinson later this month.