School community says goodbye to Johnson

MADISON – At its May 23 meeting, Madison Board of Education said goodbye to President Terri Johnson.

Johnson has served on the school since 2007 but decided not to pursue another term.

The sendoff for Johnson was emotional, especially after 10 years on the board.  “It’s really hard to leave,” Johnson said.

Dr. Johnson has served on the board since 2007, seeing Madison City Schools through many milestones including the opening of James Clemens High School and a stand-alone pre-kindergarten center; huge enrollment increases; tremendous academic changes including creative scheduling and an expanded, innovative curriculum; and hiring of a new superintendent, Manager of Public Relations John Peck said.

Board members commended Johnson for her steadfast leadership. Tim Holtcamp described Johnson as “wise, patient, slow to anger, loves kids, having a servant heart, caring and seeing the best in people.” Ranae Bartlett praised Johnson’s quality of civic engagement and practice of showing appreciation to colleagues and others.

Board member Connie Spears said, “Dr. Johnson ‘set the standard’ of being a board member with her integrity, honesty, drive and determination. A lot of what Madison City Schools is today is because of her.” Spears noted that Johnson’s decade on the board transcends more than half the life of MCS, which began in 1998.

With Johnson’s departure, Madison Board of Education elected Ranae Bartlett as President and Tim Holtcamp as Vice President.

Johnson earned a bachelor’s degree in mathematics at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tenn. and master’s and doctorate’s degrees in applied mathematics at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. Johnson works as a full-time lecturer in the UAH Department of Mathematical Sciences.

Johnson’s mathematical background aided in substantiating a second high school in Madison, along with renovation of Bob Jones High School. “Her skills as a mathematician were invaluable in areas such as rezoning, finance and capital planning,” Ray White said. White formerly served president of Madison Board of Education.

Staying informed on municipal issues, Johnson has attended almost all meetings of Madison City Council.

Her husband Greg works as a software engineer for Northrop Grumman Corporation. Their sons are Russel, Charlie and Mark.