Jefferson County Board of Education names new superintendent

Jefferson County Schools will soon have a new superintendent, and it's a man familiar with Alabama education already.

This afternoon the Jefferson County Board of Education named Dr. Stephen Nowlin the next superintendent of one of the state's biggest school systems.

Dr. Nowlin, from Opelika, is currently superintendent of Lee County schools.

The vote was 4-1 and the board's president says Dr. Nowlin's experience in state education funding was a big plus.

"He definitely had experience at the administrative and educational level as far as curriculum and instruction. And then also, he is from Alabama and Alabama funding is very unique to schools. So we feel like Dr. Nowlin will come in a step above, already having that knowledge," BOE president Jennifer Parsons said.

The board will now try to negotiate a contract with Dr. Nowlin. He's expected to start on January 1.

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