Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 20F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph..
Clear to partly cloudy. Low near 20F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Dukes seeking reelection as school superintendent
Jackson County Schools Superintendent Kevin Dukes has announced he is seeking reelection after qualifying in the Republican Primary, set for Tuesday, March 3, 2020.
First elected in 2016, Dukes said he set forth a plan of continuous improvement that ensured all Jackson County students would attend a high quality school.
"We knew that our focus had to be centered on actions that led to student success," said Dukes. "As a result, Jackson County schools made tremendous progress, improving from C to B on the state report card in just three years."
Dukes also said, upon taking office, he immediately addressed issues with the system's finances.
"Our system was operating with less than a one-month reserve," he said. "Today, our financial health is solid with a strong reserve. This helped our students get the resources and support they needed to be successful."
In addition to academic and financial success, Dukes has addressed school safety, mental health, capital improvements and student access to technology.
"We've added four school resource officers in partnership with the Jackson County Sheriff's Office," said Dukes. "We've also made capital improvements across the system with HVAC units in every competitive gym, structural improvements at individual schools and allocated $10,000 per school to address site based needs. On top of that, each student now has access to cutting edge technology."
Dukes said he continues to provide a strong vision for the system seeking to expand technical offers in the area of cyber security, STEM and the Arts, improving workforce development partnerships and increase academic course offerings.
"We have a good system, but we want to be great," he said. "Our record show that with strong, focused leadership and dedicated, hardworking folks, we are well on our way to being the best school system in Alabama."
Dukes is a lifelong resident of Jackson County and graduate of Section High School. He is married to Shannon Sisco Dukes, and they have three children, Laurel Grace, Sam and Will.
Dukes holds a BA in Elementary Education, MA in Educational Administration and Ed.S in Educational Leadership.
He has served Jackson County schools as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal for over the past 24 years. He and his family attend church at Scottsboro Cumberland Presbyterian Church.