By Claire Aiello, Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Perkins

Allen Perkins is the new superintendent of Madison County Schools. He was appointed to the position in November 2019, but has been with the school district for 17 years.

He is a native of Virginia and moved to Huntsville for college, attending Oakwood University. “I have been here so long, I consider this my home. There’s no place I’d rather be,” said Perkins.

Perkins developed a love for education and service during his time at Oakwood. “Entering the campus, the sign reads ‘Enter to Learn’, exiting the campus the sign says ‘Depart to Serve’. This set me on a path to fulfill God’s calling of serving others,” Perkins explained.

He began his teaching career in 2003 at New Market School in Madison County. There, he taught 7th and 8th grade Social Studies for seven years, also serving as an assistant basketball coach, tutoring after school, coaching the Scholars’ Bowl and starting the archery program that was later incorporated in other schools. He then earned his Master’s degree in Administration and served as assistant principal at Legacy Elementary School, learning about managing bus routes, discipline, afterschool care, special education, textbooks, and leadership.

In 2011, Perkins was named principal at Buckhorn Middle School, and served in this role for about four years. He then went on to become supervisor of instruction for the school district, and was then named the district’s first director of equity and innovation – a position that included leading the implementation of Madison County Schools’ desegregation order with the purpose of moving the district toward unitary status. He also learned about business development in his new role.

Considering the Whole Child Approach, students at Riverton Elementary School get a hands-on learning session on playing the drums.

Perkins said he has been busy since he was named superintendent just a few months ago. He has been working to meet with many leaders throughout the school system to gather ideas on how to make continued improvements.

“I’ve loved sitting down and talking with every administrative leader, every principal, every assistant principal, and so many of our staff to hear about their vision for our school district and how we can work together to create and build an elite school system for Madison County students,” said Perkins.

He said he strongly supports the Whole Child Approach, which encourages educators to look at every aspect that influences a child’s life.

“I believe this is our responsibility as educators and administrators,” said Perkins. “Madison County is a great district with great people. It is unique in that it is a family-oriented district that always puts children first. The Whole Child Approach will help us become the strongest school system possible.”

Perkins said his plans for the next three years also cover focusing on the district’s Strategic Plan, which includes continuing the Professional Learning Communities Process, implementing the desegregation order, and finding additional revenue sources.

“I plan on making sure our district continues to move toward becoming an elite district that performs at the highest levels possible,” Perkins added.

Note: Our three public school superintendents will be featured in the 2020 State of the Schools event on February 13 at the Jackson Center, on the campus of HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. The Huntsville/Madison County Chamber hosts this annual event to foster communication and partnerships between businesses and K-12 education.

This article appears in the February 2020 issue of Initiatives magazine, a publication of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.