Ayers hired as RCS assistant superintendent

RUSSELLVILLE — The city schools board of education has hired Nate Ayers as the system’s next assistant superintendent.

Ayers’ hiring was approved by board members during a special- called meeting on Friday morning.

He will replace Chris James, who announced his retirement earlier this year. James will stay on through December to help with the transition.

Ayers comes to Russellville from Holly Pond High School, where he has served as principal since 2023.

As a product of the Holly Pond community, making the decision to move away from his alma mater to join Russellville was a big decision. However, getting the opportunity to take the next step in his career while joining the “supportive school and community” of Russellville made the move a bit easier, he said.

“My family and I have worked extremely hard to get to this point in our lives,” Ayers said. “The chance to be a part of a community that loves their school this much was really a no-brainer.”

While Holly Pond is a Class 3A school compared to Russellville as a Class 5A, Ayers does have experience overseeing larger institutions. Prior to his stint with Holly Pond, he served at Etowah High School, which is also a Class 5A school.

In addition to his time in education, Ayers previously worked as a college softball umpire, where he admittedly received some “character building” along the way.

Superintendent Tim Guinn said the board interviewed a dozen candidates for the position before ultimately deciding on Ayers.

Guinn said he has known his new assistant superintendent for “around eight or nine years” and was even a part of Ayers’ doctoral dissertation committee at the University of Alabama.

“That gave me a great insight into his intelligence, and I was very impressed with him,” Guinn said. “From there we developed a relationship and kept in touch throughout the years.”

Given his previous ties to Ayers, Guinn said he expects a “seamless transition” as the Ayers steps into the role left by James.

“As soon as Nate gets in with us and he understands the culture and all that, I know he’ll fit in very well,” Guinn said.

In addition to Ayers’ hiring, the board also approved the employment of a pair of new elementary school principals.

Gayla Mills will take over as the principal of West Elementary School after serving as the assistant principal for the school.

Former Phil Campbell Elementary School Principal Channing Wright was officially hired as the new principal of Russellville Elementary School.