On November 10, the State Board of Education selected Dr. Tommy Bice as Alabama’s new Superintendent of Education. The vote concluded a search to replace Joe Morton, who retired from the superintendent post this summer. “I’m humbled. I’m honored,” said Bice after the vote. “And I’m ready to go to work.”
Dr. Bice has served as the state’s Deputy Superintendent of Education Instruction since 2008. Before that position, Bice worked as a teacher, principal, and superintendent in the Alexander City school system. He received a Doctorate of Education at Auburn University and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
At the beginning of the November 10th meeting, the school board interviewed three of the four final candidates for the superintendent position: Deputy Superintendent of Alabama’s Administrative Financial Services division Craig Pouncey, South Carolina Deputy Superintendent for School Effectiveness Mark Bounds, and Dr. Bice. The board then conducted an initial vote to select a front-runner from the three candidates. During this first vote, six board members selected Dr. Bice, two voted for Mr. Bounds, and one voted for Mr. Pouncey.
After the first vote, the board then voted 7-0 to officially select Dr. Bice as the new state superintendent. Stephanie Bell and Betty Peters, who had initially picked Bounds as their first choice, abstained from the final vote.
Although Bice got the nod, the board noted that all three candidates were qualified and talented. Board members noted the exceptional commitment and service provided by Dr. Pouncey in his role as Deputy State Superintendent for Administration and Finance. Ultimately, however, Bice’s extensive education experience gave him an edge above the other finalists. “Dr. Bice is going to do an outstanding job,” said Gov. Robert Bentley. “I look forward to working with him.”
A+ congratulates Dr. Bice, and we look forward to continuing to work with him to improve education for all children in Alabama.
Click here to read more about the vote and here to read Dr. Bice’s full bio.
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