Albertville School Board Holds First 2026 Meeting

This story originally appeared in The Sand Mountain Reporter on Jan. 16, 2026, and is written by John Mann.

The Albertville City School Board met for the first time of the year on Tuesday, where Superintendent Dr. Bart Reeves thanked the board for their service in recognition of School Board Appreciation Month.

“It is School Board Appreciation month so again thank you,” Reeves said. “We want to thank the board, sincerely thank you for your leadership and dedication and commitment to our kids and also to our schools, your guidance strengthens our district and positively impacts our community every day.”

The Albertville City School Board is currently made up of Melissa McKee, Annie Furrer, John Gladden, Amanda Baugh and Bobby Stewart. A special guest at the meeting who also expressed her appreciation for the board was Alabama State Board of Education Vice President Marie Manning.

“It’s a pleasure to be here,” Manning said. “I was here two years ago when Dr. Reeves had his first meeting and when I realized it was board appreciation I said to him I would love to come and he said ‘well come on’ so I have driven an hour and some minutes to get here to be with you all and to tell you that your system impresses me. What you have done, the report card looks great but the best thing that I like on that report card is the academic achievement that you’re making.”

During the meeting the board approved multiple contracts, several of which relate to the Albertville High School and Middle School choir programs and Diamond Classic Show Choir Competition that will take place from January 30-31. Justin Lee, Larry Davis, Benjamin Vaughn and Karen Fancher were all approved to provide live and piano accompaniment to the choirs through May. Kyle Aiden, Megan Rudolph and Rebecca Ann Walker were also approved to serve as judges for the Diamond Classic.

One out of state trip was also approved during the meeting for AHS VocalEase, who will travel to Knoxville, TN, to participate in the quarterfinal round of the ICHSA acapella competition from February 6-7.

The board voted to reject bids on the ACS storage building that were on the table, citing costs exceeding what was anticipated. The lowest bid of the five offered was from Greer Building Contractors, LLC, in the amount of 999,789.00. The board meanwhile approved the sale of four buses, two school and two passenger, as surplus on GovDeals.

The board also approved the 2026-27 Academic Calendar during the meeting, which includes holidays for MLK Day on January 18, President’s Day on February 15, Spring Break from March 22-26, and graduation for AHS and Albertville Innovation Academy on May 20.

The last item approved during the meeting was extensions for the superintendent and CSFO contracts, which were both approved. As of now Albertville City Schools has an enrollment of 5500 students, down just twenty three from October. The Fiscal Year 2026 budget will be based on the enrollment of 5713 that was submitted to the state in the fall of 2024.

During his report Reeves had several announcements. The AHS Cheerleaders will be traveling to Orlando for the national competition at the end of January, the Educational Alliance Breakfast will take place at Albertville First Baptist Church on January 30 at 7:30 a.m. and finals for the Marshall County Basketball Tournament will take place on Saturday, January 17 at Snead State Community College with varsity girls at 5:30 p.m. and boys at 7 p.m.

The Albertville City School Board meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Board of Education boardroom at 105 West Main Street. The next meeting will take place on February 17. Meetings are open to the public.