South-central Alabama school board leaders advance in AASB Academy
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Massie achieves Level II
Board of Education Member Sharon Massie
Special to the News
Local school board members from south-central Alabama were among 289 education leaders statewide recognized for their commitment to ongoing professional development as part of the Alabama Association of School Board’s 2025 Fall District Meeting series held throughout the state, which concluded last week.
The District 4 meeting in Montgomery, led by District 4 Director Dr. Chanté Ruffin of the Alexander City school board, honored 44 local school board members for advancing in the AASB’s School Board Member Academy, a training program designed to deepen understanding of education issues and strengthen boardmanship and governance skills.
Locally, Coosa County Board of Education Member Sharon Massie was among those honored as she achieved Level II, which requires 50 training hours.
AASB has nine geographic districts. District 4 includes the school boards of Alexander City, Auburn, Bullock County, Chambers County, Clay County, Coosa County, Elmore County, Lanett, Lee County, Macon County, Montgomery County, Opelika, Phenix City, Pike Road, Randolph County, Roanoke, Russell County, Tallapoosa County, and Tallassee, as well as the Department of Youth Services and LEAD Academy.
“AASB’s Fall District meetings provide an important opportunity for school board members to enhance their capabilities and gain insight on critical issues facing Alabama’s public schools,” said AASB Executive Director Sally Smith. “These meetings showcase the dedication of local education leaders to professional growth and service to students and communities.”
In addition to recognizing individual achievements in District 4, Elmore, Macon and Montgomery counties, as well as Alexander City and Lanett, were presented with AASB’s 2025 Team Training Achievement Award. This distinction recognizes school boards whose members collectively fulfilled all state-mandated training requirements, with at least 60% of members attending three or more AASB conferences. The award celebrates boards demonstrating exceptional commitment to professional development and effective governance.
The meeting also recognized Macon County Schools Superintendent Melissa Williams as the District 4 Superintendent of the Year, acknowledging her exceptional leadership and contributions to educational success.
AASB President Russell Clausell of the Geneva City Board of Education praised all honorees for their dedication.
“The commitment demonstrated by these education leaders reflects the heart of public education in Alabama,” Clausell said. “Their investment in professional development translates directly to more effective schools and improved learning opportunities for students in our communities.”
Held annually, AASB’s Fall District meetings are a cornerstone of the association’s commitment to equipping school board members with essential knowledge and resources. As part of the district meetings, attendees participated in a comprehensive survey addressing pressing education issues facing Alabama’s public schools and received timely updates on statewide education policy.
The meetings also featured interactive discussions on education challenges and provided opportunities to connect with colleagues. The feedback collected from board members across all nine districts will play a vital role in shaping AASB’s legislative agenda for the upcoming legislative session, ensuring advocacy efforts reflect the priorities and concerns of local school systems throughout the state.
Below are the District 4 board members who achieved new levels during the School Board Member Academy’s 2024-2025 training year, which began July 1, 2024, and ended June 30, 2025:
Level I (Requires 25 training hours)
- Kimberly Carter, Alexander City
- David Warren, Auburn
- Jennifer Hunt, Chambers County
- Frederick Newton, Chambers County
- Bill Myers, Elmore County
- Jan Johnson, Pike Road
- Lance Daniel, Randolph County
- Margie Murphy, Randolph County
- Tim Prince, Randolph County
- Meghan Catrett, Russell County
- Patricia Smith, Russell County
Level II (Requires 50 training hours)
- Leo Branch, Clay County
- Sharon Massie, Coosa County
- Mark Tomlin, Lee County
- Heather Hawkins, Tallassee
Level I & II (Reached both levels in the same year)
- Johnny Wood, Lanett
Level III (Requires 75 training hours)
- Pamela Cloud, Montgomery County
- Pamela Portis, Montgomery County
- Kevin Royal, Opelika
- James Patrick, Phenix City
- Ethan Taylor, Pike Road
- Tamara Thomas, Randolph County
- James Brown, Roanoke
- Barbara Clark, Russell County
- Timothy Simpson, Russell County
- Linda Daniel, Tallapoosa County
- Melanie Goodman, Tallassee
Level IV (Requires 100 training hours and all eight core cores in the Academy)
- Kathy Powell, Auburn
- Alfreda Scott-Meeks, Bullock County
- Christopher Jackson, Clay County
- David Jones, Elmore County
- Kenneth Barnes, Russell County
Master (Requires Level IV plus 15 hours, including one additional core course)
- Chante’ Ruffin, Alexander City, first time
- Adam Wade, Alexander City, first time
- Clinton Boyd, Macon County, first time
- Brenda Deramus-Coleman, Montgomery County, second time
- Lesa Keith, Montgomery County, second time
- Lashae Herring, Chambers County, second time
- Michael Morgan, Elmore County, second time
- Laderrick Caldwell, Bullock County, second time
- Wendell Saxon, Elmore County, second time
- Rosalyn Langston, Roanoke, third time
- Arica Watkins-Smith, Montgomery County, third time
- Napoleon Stringer, Lee County, fourth time
About the AASB School Board Member Academy
Founded in 1986, AASB’s School Board Member Academy includes four achievement levels based on the number of credit hours board members earn through conferences, workshops and other training events. There are eight core courses: Roles & Responsibilities, Leadership for Policy & Planning, Leadership for Financial Accountability, Leadership for Positive Climate & Culture; Leadership for Academic Achievement, Leadership for Developing a Highly Effective Staff; Effective Boards & Relationships and Leadership for Community Engagement.
Board members who complete the core courses and the Academy’s four levels can continue their training to earn the Master School Board Member distinction and ultimately an opportunity to attain Master Honor Roll recognition.
AASB’s Academy year runs July 1 to June 30. The Academy helps board members comply with the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012, which requires new board members take orientation and all board members earn at least six hours of annual training. Two of those six hours must be earned from training completed as a whole school board (with at least the majority of the school board in attendance).
About the Alabama Association of School Boards
The Alabama Association of School Boards represents all of the state’s public local school boards. AASB has served education leaders and the interests of local decision making in public education since 1949. The association’s mission is to develop excellent school board leaders through quality training, advocacy, and resources. Visit www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.org.
