Madison City Schools celebrate 15 years of excellence
Dr. Dee Fowler speaks to a full house at James Clemens High School at the 15th Anniversary of Madison City Schools on April 5. (RECORD PHOTO/ALDO AMATO)
By Aldo Amato
Staff Reporter
MADISON — Current and former Madison City Schools officials, educators and parents came out to celebrate the 15 year anniversary of the school system.
The auditorium of the new James Clemens High School was packed with residents on April 5 to help celebrate a school system that has become one of the most successful in the state and in the region in just 15 years.
Current Madison City Schools superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler said that he could not be more proud of the school officials but thought the parents are the reason the system has enjoyed success.
“Without their support, this school system would not be what it is today,” he said.
Tables were filled with state championship trophies, jerseys, academic awards and various other logos of elementary, middle and high schools that make up the Madison City Schools system.
The school system has become a model for others across the state and often times is regarded as a deal breaker to why people move to Madison. Fowler said he is thankful to have a city that both supports and uses them to lure new residents to the City of Madison.
“I think they understand like we do is that it’s very challenging to create and maintain a successful school system,” he said. “But I am grateful that they’ve been behind us 100 percent and we take a lot of pride in our growth.”
On hand were representatives from the City of Madison, State of Alabama and Town of Triana. Triana partnered with Madison City Schools when it was formed in 1998. There was also a video presentation produced by Madison City Schools in conjunction with students from James Clemens.
Fowler said that he recalls often stories his parents used to tell him about the Great Depression and how they overcame adversity. He said that same logic apples to how the system was founded and how it’s remained successful.
“Starting off we had challenges,” he said. “We dealt with overcrowding, portables and plenty of other challenges. But the persistence of the school board and the parents is what made this work. I could not be more thankful for each parent and their student that makes up Madison City Schools.”
