Orange Beach completes split with Baldwin County Schools in just 12 weeks School
Orange Beach Completes Split with Baldwin County Schools in Just 12 Weeks
School Board Names Randy Wilkes System’s First Superintendent
Orange Beach City Schools Board of Education President Robert Stuart made an emotion-filled recommendation during the board’s June 7 special meeting to approve a contract for Randy Wilkes to serve as the new city school system’s first superintendent. The recommendation was unanimously approved by all members at the meeting.
The teary-eyed motion was completely understandable, as it marked the culmination of 12 weeks of an unprecedentedly fast and intense process to guarantee separation from the Baldwin County Public School System by July 1. From the City Council’s vote to break away from the county system on March 15 to appointing board members on April 5, to Dr. Robbie Smith stepping up as acting superintendent on April 12, to remarkably smooth negotiations with the county leading to the final signing of the separation agreement on May 23, and finally to Wilkes signing his contract, the future looks bright for Mako Nation. This achievement was made possible by countless hours of dedication to the children of Orange Beach.
“There are many people to thank for making Orange Beach City Schools a reality so quickly,” said Marc Anderson, the city’s special projects coordinator. Those people include Mayor Tony Kennon, City Council members Jeff Boyd, Annette Mitchell, Joni Blalock, Jeff Silvers, and Jerry Johnson; school board members Stuart, Nelson Bauer, Shannon Robinson, Tracie Stark, and Randy McKinney; acting superintendent Dr. Robbie Smith; school board attorney Nash Campbell; chief school financial officer Ford Handley; Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler; the Baldwin County school board; city staff; and the Orange Beach community.
Following the school board’s unanimous vote, Wilkes expressed his gratitude.
“Thank you so much, board members, for the trust and confidence that you are placing within me and really within this entire district,” Wilkes said. “You are going to find that participatory leadership is my style. I like to gather a lot of input from all of the stakeholders, so I look forward to meeting people and greeting people and getting things underway here.
“I also want to thank Dr. Smith. She has done a fantastic job. I’ve been able to talk to her several times, and I don’t know if you’re the type of people to give a round of applause, but I really think she deserves that this evening. So thank you for what you’ve done.
“Mayor, sir, and city council, I’ve been watching from a distance. I said to a certain realtor in town who is working with my family now, two years ago, that I’d love to be your superintendent one day. Little did I know that I would be standing in front of you.
“So for the vision to create this wonderful school system—kudos. And for the pace with which you did that and the rigor it’s taken to do that, I’m glad it’s fast-paced. I really appreciate that. Congratulations. Thank you so much.
“I want to just say that a priority with me, first and foremost, would be safety. I know that’s on the forefront of everyone’s minds, and Dr. Smith has a lot of great ideas. I know you guys have probably talked about that, but we are certainly going to incorporate that in everything we do. That’s first and foremost.
“After that, every decision that we make will be based upon what’s best for students and the children. Second, we’re going to look at evidence, best practices, and research. Third, after 33 years in education and 11-plus years as a superintendent, I’ve learned the importance of being good stewards of the public’s money. We will absolutely be frugal with what we do.
“This is a beautiful city because of the people, first and foremost, and there are tremendous resources here, but I promise the mayor, city council, board, and taxpayers that I will be absolutely frugal with what is given to us. My family and I are really excited. We look forward to coming down and getting involved in the very near future. Again, thank you so very much.”
Wilkes will officially take the helm on July 1 but will serve as a consultant, working with the board and Dr. Smith, until that time.
Stuart said Wilkes rose to the top of the candidate pool.
“It was clear to us, after our interviews, that we had found our person. That’s only been confirmed to me through our discussions in the last couple of days in talking with Dr. Smith,” Stuart said. “We are ready to make this happen. I call them ‘foxhole friends,’ and I feel like we’re now all foxhole friends. We’re ready to go to battle for the kids of Orange Beach.”
Wilkes comes from Phenix City Schools, where he served as superintendent since 2014. His resignation from Phenix City Schools will be effective June 30. Stuart noted that Wilkes led an effort to have every Phenix City school receive STEAM certification during his tenure, a major criterion the Orange Beach board sought.
“When you go over his resume, it’s very impressive. When he first came into Phenix City Schools, they had a vision for growth, and by the time he left, all of his schools were STEAM-certified. That is a huge accomplishment and one of the big items on our list that we wanted to see,” Stuart said. “It’s easy to answer softball questions, but when we asked him some of the harder ones, his answers were seamless. His passion and conviction sold everyone.”
Prior to Phenix City, Wilkes was superintendent of Crenshaw County Schools from 2011 to 2014.
The public school boards of Orange Beach and Baldwin County reached a separation agreement last week that aims to have the emerging city board operating independently by July 1. The document, signed by both parties and awaiting approval from State Superintendent Eric Mackey, includes provisions for student, staff, and facility transfers, as well as funding distribution.
The agreement allows for the grandfathering of all students currently enrolled or pre-registered in Orange Beach as of July 1 to remain in the city system. It also ensures that students enrolled in the county’s South Baldwin Center for Technology and Aviation Center will be allowed to attend through graduation. Orange Beach students enrolled in an individualized education program (IEP) outside the city may continue for one year.
The city will pay the county board $32.4 million for Orange Beach Middle and High Schools as well as the Performing Arts Center. The elementary school will cost another $3.09 million, while the city will also assume $2.5 million in debt service for recent improvements. All furniture, materials, equipment, and supplies, including textbooks, will be transferred to the city, except for teacher and staff Apple MacBooks, which the county will retain in exchange for a $600 payment per device to the city.
The Orange Beach system will be largely funded by a 3 percent local lodging tax, along with revenue from countywide ad valorem taxes, sales and use taxes, and miscellaneous sources such as “Helping Schools” license plates, tobacco and alcohol sales, and mobile home registration fees.
Mayor Tony Kennon said the city school board is still awaiting final funding guidance from the state. Because of the city’s high property values, it may not qualify for full funding from the Education Trust Fund. The initial investment of more than $30 million for school buildings will be paid from city reserves. The City Council is considering a $50 million bond issue to cover startup costs.
Wilkes, who was named Alabama Superintendent of the Year in 2019, was selected from 21 applicants, with five candidates interviewed.
“I’m 33 years in education now, and I really feel like I’m at my prime,” Wilkes said. “Making sure we secure state funding, filling necessary positions, and finalizing board policies are our next steps. We’re already well on our way.”
Wilkes will receive a base salary of $260,000 per year.
Pictured: School board member Shannon Robinson, Board President Robert Stuart, Superintendent Randy Wilkes, Board Secretary Tracie Stark, and Board Vice President Nelson Bauer.