Red Bay principal speaks to Franklin County retirees
She Says
Red Bay High School principal Brady Ramey was the guest speak for the February meeting of the FranklinCountyEducation Retirees Association. The meeting took place at the Weatherford Centre in Red Bay.
“Becoming an administrator was a great opportunity to shape the school and lives of kids,” Ramey said.
He gave a summary of his career as an educator. He graduated from Tremont High School, then spent two years at Itawamba Community College. He received a bachelor’s degree from Mississippi State University and a master’s degree in education from Arkansas State University.
He taught and coached at Fulton Junior High and Itawamba Agricultural High School before accepting the Red Bay High School principal’s position, he served as Tremont High School assistant principal and principal.
Ramey was hired as Red Bay High School principal on July 18, 2024. Ever since then, he has been extremely busy. He gave updates on the progress of the construction at the school. There are bulldozers all over the campus.
The construction is taking place while students remain on site. He explained the multiphase construction includes renovations to the existing projects and new construction. The existing performing arts center will be renovated, and a new administrative building is being added, as well as a new area for people with handicaps. The project includes the latest technology and renovations on the exterior and interior. The completion could be finished by the start of school next year.
Sandy Gibson, president of the group, presided over the meeting. She thanked Red Bay Community Spirit Bank for the luncheon.
Gibson reminded the membership that the Alabama Legislature convened Feb. 4, and she said AEA will be present every day on behalf of the educators. “We must get involved,” Gibson said.
Teachers, administrators, education support professionals, postsecondary members and education retirees will be present to advocate for legislation that affects these groups. Each Friday, “The Capital Pulse” will be sent to AEA members during the session to provide a weekly summary of education issues.
Retirees will be advocating for a costof living adjustment. Currently, more than 60,000 Alabama education retirees receive a pension at or below the federal poverty level. They have not received a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) in the last 19 years, while inflation has increased by more than 56.5%. They have not received any supplemental funding since 2022.
Gibson said AEA will advocate for the Alabama Legislature to provide a funding source and seek additional funding in the Education Trust Fund budget to cover the $129 million shortfall for Alabama’s Public Education Employees Health Insurance Plan (PEEHIP) by providing full funding for PEEHIP benefits, education retirees and employees to ensure affordable, quality health care coverage.
Gibson encouraged all retirees to contact their local legislators to inform them of the issues they want them to support.
