Boyd, Lanett City Schools agree on contract
Published 5:35 pm Tuesday, November 19, 2019
LANETT — Jennifer Boyd is officially the superintendent of Lanett City Schools.
The Lanett City Schools Board of Education approved Boyd’s contract with an annual salary of $107,202. The contract is retroactive to Nov. 1 and extends until June 30, 2023.
Board of Education Chairman Gwen Harris-Brooks said she is glad the process is over.
“She (Boyd) is a native of Lanett, and that is going to mean a lot,” she said. “Everything she had ever been a part of turns to gold.”
Boyd had served as the interim superintendent since July 1, when former Superintendent Phillip Johnson retired from Alabama’s education system to work in Georgia. Harris-Brooks said the contract and salary are similar to Johnson. The details of the contract outside of salary and number of years was not available until the school system’s attorney cleans up the language in the document. Then, Boyd and Harris-Brooks will both sign the document. Harris-Brooks said that should take place in a matter of days.
Boyd said she is happy the process is complete and now she is ready to lead.
“I am truly excited and just honored and blessed that the board has given me this opportunity,” she said. “I am also excited about the opportunity to lead.”
Boyd said Lanett is where she grew up, which makes it mean more for her to lead the district.
Before being appointed superintendent, Boyd had been the principal at Lanett High School since July 2012. Before being hired as principal, she was the business education teacher at Lanett High School from 2002 to 2012.
Boyd also has a business background in retail as well as a bachelor’s degree and master’s degree in business administration from Auburn University and Troy University, respectively.
In 2011, Boyd obtained a master’s in instructional leadership and administration from Troy and then went back to Troy to get a specialist certificate in instruction leadership and administration.
Before Johnson’s departure in June, he praised the board’s decision to have Boyd step into his role. He said the two worked very closely side-by-side as superintendent and principal.
“I know who will be stepping into the office, and I think that is a great decision on the board’s part,” he said. “Boyd’s direction of the high school has flourished under her leadership, and I think the district will too.”
Harris-Brooks said the board plans to have a swearing-in ceremony for Boyd at a board meeting in December.
Boyd’s departure as principal from Lanett High School has left Bryant Lumpkin as the high school’s interim principal. Harris-Brooks said Boyd would complete a job posting for the position. Then, she will complete the interviews and the hiring process. However, she will have to make a recommendation to the board before a principal can be hired.