Lauderdale Superintendent: Scott Jones

Scott Jones is the first to have commented on our questions for candidates seeking the office of Lauderdale County Superintendent of Education. Jerry Hill has contacted us to state that he will be sending us something. We have not heard from Jon Hatton or Gary Dan Williams, but certainly hope to do so shortly.


* What is your professional background?

I have been in education for the past 27 years serving as a teacher, coach at Waterloo High School and administrator at both Waterloo and Central High school. I am a graduate of Wilson High School. I then attended Shoals Community college before transferring and graduating from Athens State with a B.S.Ed. with a concentration in history and English. I received a Ma from The University of North Alabama in history and then an endorsement in school administration. I completed an E.Ds. from Middle Tennessee State University.


* Why should voters select you over the other candidates?

Voters should select me because I have a broad background in education and I understand the needs of both a small school and a large one. I have the leadership skills to move our school system from a good system to one of the best in the state. I have demonstrated the ability to lead not just in the school system but also in the community. I am the past president of the Central Heights Civitan Club and past chairman of the Lauderdale County Republican Party. I have served a term on the Alabama Republican State Executive Committee and have been a member of the member of the Lauderdale County Republican Executive Committee since 2004. I am currently the chairman of the Edith Newman Culver Museum in Waterloo. I also serve on the Scope 310 board of directors and the TVA in lieu of tax board for Lauderdale County.

* If elected as Superintendent, what changes do you envision for LC schools?

We need many facility upgrades throughout our system. We have some buildings that were built in the 1950’s that need major renovations or new ones built to replace them. On the education side we need to first get back concentrating on the basics of teaching students to read, write and do basic math in the early grades. Students need this foundation before they get into the advanced courses .We also need to teach basic skills like how to read a ruler and how to make change in a money transaction . We need an emphasis to be placed on civics and the constitution so our students will know what is actually constitutional in today’s world with all the false information that is being put out by the liberal media. System wide we also need to work harder on ACT prep classes in order for our students to compete for scholarships. More technical and trade classes need to be offered and the schedule needs to be flexible enough for students to take these classes along with their academic classes and still be able to participate in extracurricular activities.


* Which system employees do you feel are most underappreciated and how do you plan to address that issue?

All of our employees do a great job and are underappreciated. However the group that is the most underappreciated would be our support staff such as lunchroom workers, bus drivers, custodians and teachers aids. This group gets our students to and from school, feeds them, and provides them with a clean and safe working environment without getting the compensation and thanks that they deserve.


* Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I see myself as Superintendent of Education in Lauderdale County.


* Where do you see LC schools in 5 years?

After 5 years of my leadership I see our system as one of the top school systems in Alabama.