Board Salutes Stewart’s Decades of Service

This article first appeared in The Sand Mountain Leader on June 6, 2026. 

The Albertville Board of Education selected its officers for the 2026-27 school year, voting for President Melissa McKee and Vice President Annie Furrer to continue in those roles.

In addition to a number of personnel actions, the board set upcoming meetings, including a June 16 meeting at 5:30 p.m. with a work session to follow. The board will discuss a capital plan update, talk about a new Central Office location and discuss school start and end times, including the results of a survey.

The May 14 meeting was the final one for board member Bobby Stewart. Superintendent Bart Reeves took the time to express his gratitude.

“After 20 years of dedicated service, we extend our sincere gratitude to Mr. Bobby Stewart as he retires from the Board of Education,” he said in the superintendent’s report.

“His leadership, commitment and support of our students, staff and community have made a lasting impact on our school system. We are truly thankful for the difference he has made. We wish him all the best in his well-earned retirement.”

Reeves also reported the student enrollment, as of May 14 was 5,416 district-wide, down 107 from October.

The district’s fiscal year 2026 budget is based on enrollment of 5,713 that was submitted to the state in the fall of 2024, in grades K-12. The fiscal year 2027 Education Trust Fund budget will be based on the 5,523 students that was submitted in September 2025, he said. 

The meeting was held just before Albertville Innovation Academy and Albertville High School graduation ceremonies. Reeves offered his best wishes: “Congratulations to our 2026 graduates! We want to thank everyone behind the scenes who helped make graduation a success. Counselors, administration and staff did an excellent job.”