Ozark City Schools Community Survey Results
Superintendent Search
The Ozark City Schools Board of Education has officially launched our search for a new superintendent.
Our current superintendent, Mr. Reeivice L. Girtman, has announced his resignation effective at the end of the 2025-2026 school year. We're deeply grateful for Mr. Girtman’s four years of dedicated leadership, during which he expanded CTE opportunities, improved our facilities, and championed student achievement.
To ensure a smooth transition and find the right leader to build upon this foundation, the Board has partnered with the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) to facilitate a professional search process.
Finding a leader who reflects the values of Ozark requires a structured approach. With the guidance of AASB, our search is divided into four key phases:
| Phase | Focus | Description |
| Phase 1: Engagement | Community Input | AASB will gather feedback from teachers, staff, parents, and community members via surveys and meetings to create a "Leadership Profile" of the ideal candidate. (Completed in January 2026) |
| Phase 2: Recruitment | Superintendent Search | Using the Leadership Profile, AASB will advertise the vacancy and actively recruit high-quality candidates. (Completed in February 2026) |
| Phase 3: Selection | Interviews | The Board will review applicant files, verify credentials, and conduct interviews with the top finalists to find the best fit for our district. (Completed March 2026) |
| Phase 4: Transition | Appointment | Once a selection is made, the Board will appoint the new superintendent and begin a collaborative transition period before the 2026-27 school year. (Upcoming in May/June 2026) |
Resources
2026 Ozark City Schools Superintendent Search
January 9, 2026 Press Release
Ozark City Schools Releases Community Input Results for Superintendent Search
OZARK, AL – Ozark City Schools has released the findings of a comprehensive community survey conducted by the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) to guide the search for its next superintendent.
Superintendent Reeivice L. Girtman officially announced his resignation in September 2025 but will continue to lead the district through the remainder of the 2025-2026 school year. This transition period has allowed the Ozark City Schools Board of Education to partner with the Alabama Association of School Boards (AASB) to conduct a thorough search and gather essential input from students, families, and community members.
The survey was taken by 163 respondents, including parents, employees, and community residents, to identify the leadership qualities and professional experiences most valued by the Ozark community.
Key Findings and Community Priorities
According to the AASB report, the community has clear expectations for the district's next leader:
- Top Leadership Qualities: Respondents prioritized a leader who is student-focused, accountable, and personally driven. Strong leadership ability and a collaborative approach to building teams and consensus were also cited as essential traits.
- Critical Skills: The highest-rated skills for the incoming superintendent include recruiting and retaining quality staff and creating a positive working environment for employees.
- Professional Experience: There is a strong preference for candidates with a background in the classroom, with teaching experience ranking as the most important work history.
- Education Level: Approximately 46% of respondents believe the minimum education level should be a master’s degree, while 37% prefer an education specialist's degree or certification. About 16% desire a doctorate degree.
Addressing Future Challenges
The survey highlighted a few challenges the community wants the new superintendent to prioritize, including student behavior and consistent discipline, staff morale, and transparency to stabilize enrollment. Regarding the search's scope, 44% of respondents expressed no preference between internal or external candidates, while 31% preferred hiring from among existing employees.
Next Steps in the Search Process
The Ozark City Schools Board of Education is moving forward with a structured timeline provided by the AASB. Applications will be accepted through February 18. The Board will screen applicants and present finalists at a future meeting, and finalist interviews will be conducted shortly thereafter.
For more information and updates on the superintendent search, please visit the district website.
About Ozark City Schools: Ozark City Schools is dedicated to serving the students and community of Ozark, Alabama, with a focus on academic excellence and student success.
March 3, 2026 Press Release
Finalists Announced in Ozark City Schools Superintendent Search
OZARK, AL – During tonight’s special called meeting, Dr. Tim Morgan of the Alabama Association of School Boards, presented the five finalists for Ozark City Schools’ next Superintendent.
The finalists were selected following an extensive recruitment process to find a successor for Superintendent Reeivice L. Girtman, who is stepping down at the end of the 2025-2026 school year.
The finalists for the position are:
- Dr. Veronica Bayles – Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Tuscumbia City Board of Education
- Dr. Curt Green – Director of Human Resources, Bessemer City Board of Education
- J. Lee Jacobs – Assistant Superintendent, Dothan City Board of Education
- Jeremy Suchman – Principal, Ozark City Schools
- Marsielena Williams – Principal, Ozark City Schools
“Selecting the right leader is the most important decision our Board can make for the future of our students and staff. We’re confident that these finalists demonstrate the knowledge and leadership necessary to excel,” said Board President Larry Hicks. “We appreciate the feedback we received from our parents, staff, and community members during this process.”
Public Interview Schedule
The Ozark City Schools Board of Education will conduct the interviews, which are open to the public. They will be held in the choral room of Carroll High School (141 Eagle Way). Attendees are asked to enter through the side door on Eagle Way, as the front doors will be unavailable for entry.
The interview schedule is as follows:
- 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 9
- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10
- 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 16
- 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 17
- 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18
March 20, 2026 Press Release
Ozark City Schools Board of Education Names Two Final Superintendent Candidates
During a special called meeting tonight, the Ozark City Schools Board of Education announced it has narrowed the search for its next superintendent to two final candidates: J. Lee Jacobs, Assistant Superintendent in the Division of Accountability and Compliance for Dothan City Schools, and Marsielena Williams, Principal of Carroll High School for Ozark City Schools.
The selection of these two finalists marks a milestone in a comprehensive and detailed search process aimed at identifying a leader to guide the district’s future.
“Our number one priority is what’s best for our students. And our second priority is what is best for our staff and teachers and what is best for this system,” said board member Lynn Ivey.
The Board has scheduled a second round of discussions with the candidates for Monday, March 30 during a special called board meeting. They will be held at Ozark City Schools Board of Education (860 Highway 231 N. Ozark, AL 36360) at the following times:
- 5:00 PM: J. Lee Jacobs
- 6:00 PM: Marsielena Williams
They are open to the public.
March 30, 2026 Press Release
Ozark City Schools Board of Education Extends Offer for Superintendent
Following a comprehensive search, members of the Ozark City Schools Board of Education have extended an offer to begin negotiations to Marsielena Williams as the district’s next superintendent.
The Board reached a unanimous decision during their special called meeting tonight.
“We’re excited to have extended this offer to Mrs. Williams,” said Board President Larry Hicks. “We trust her vision for our schools and her emphasis on relationships will lead our district into its next chapter.”
Williams brings more than 25 years of educational experience to this role, with a career spanning from the classroom to district-level administration. In addition to her role as principal of Carroll High School, she’s overseen operations as the Federal Programs and District Testing Director. Her background also includes years of service as an assistant principal, instructional coach, and math teacher.
“Ozark City Schools is the system that helped grow me to who I am today, and I look forward to having the opportunity to continue to build upon that foundation and grow this district into what I know it can be in the future,” said Williams.
Williams holds both a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Troy University as well as Masters and Educational Specialist degrees in Educational Leadership from Auburn University.
The district plans to host a community connections event for Mrs. Williams to meet with and hear from our students, staff, and community. Details regarding the date, time, and location of this event are forthcoming and will be shared via the district website, mass notification, and social media channels in the coming weeks.