Jacobs named SSA district superintendent of the year

John Jacobs, Superintendent of Randolph County Schools, has been named District 4 Superintendent of the Year by the School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA).

“I am honored to be recognized by my peers in District 4,” Jacobs said. “This is a great group of superintendents that covers 20 [school] districts. It is also an honor, as I believe there aren’t any harder working or more dedicated teachers and staff than what we have here in Randolph County. This recognition isn’t about me, but it is a recognition of everyone who makes Randolph County Schools a great place to work and for our children to learn.”

District 4 is one of nine districts in the state and encompasses 11 counties in East Central Alabama.

Each SSA district selects a District Superintendent of the Year Finalist in August, and each district finalist submits a resume to SSA by the September deadline. SSA uses a panel of judges to review the applications of the district finalists and select the Superintendent of the Year for Alabama. The Alabama Superintendent of the Year competes at the national level to become one of four nationwide finalists.

The SSA Superintendent of the Year will be announced at the organization’s annual fall conference in Florence in October.

Jacobs was first elected Superintendent of Randolph County Schools in 2016 and was reelected in 2020. During his time in office, the Randolph County School System has achieved Unitary Status, which removed the district from being under a federal consent decree since the mid-1990s.

Jacobs also led the school system through the worldwide pandemic. Academic progress has grown during his administration, and Randolph County Schools has grown from a state of financial instability to one of financial security.

During his tenure, the schools within the system have undergone many renovations and upgrades. County-wide improvements have been seen in roofing projects, window and door replacements, HVAC improvements, and awning and gym renovations to name a few.

Jacobs serves on the Board of Directors for the State Superintendents of Alabama (SSA) organization where he also serves as District 4 President and as an Executive Coach for new superintendents who are either new to Alabama or new to the superintendency. In the past, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Middle School Principals where he was awarded the Mike Campbell award for Exemplary Leadership. He also served on the Board of Directors for the Georgia Association of Secondary Principals.

Mr. Jacobs lives in Woodland with his wife, Harriet, and they have two children, John David and Dr. Jillian Cross.

“I love coming to work each day and working with the people in our central office and our schools. My work here isn’t done yet.”