After months of deliberation and a divided vote, the Montgomery County Board of Education has selected Dr. Zickeyous Byrd as the next Superintendent of Montgomery Public Schools. The decision was made during a recent board meeting following a contentious search process.

Byrd, who previously served as Superintendent of Selma City Schools and Conecuh County Schools, was chosen over fellow finalist Harold Wright.

The 4-3 vote reflected a split among board members. Pamela Cloud, Pam Portis, Arica Watkins-Smith, and Lesa Keith voted for Byrd, while Brenda DeRamus-Coleman, Claudia Mitchell, and Cassandra Brown supported Wright. DeRamus-Coleman had initially motioned for Wright, but it failed. According to the Montgomery Advertiser, Mitchell also made a motion to delay the vote for further deliberation, but it did not pass, revealing division within both the board and the community.

Several local leaders criticized the selection process for its lack of transparency and community involvement. Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed, County Commission Chairman Doug Singleton, and Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce President Anna Buckalew publicly voiced their concerns.  Some even urged the board to pause the process to allow for broader engagement.

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The national search firm, Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates (HYA), defended its process. Dr. Shawn Joseph, a senior consultant with HYA, told WSFA that the firm conducted 17 focus groups and gathered input from 991 parents and community members across three rounds of engagement.

Controversy intensified in the final stages of the search after automated text messages accused Byrd of financial fraud during his tenure in Conecuh County Schools. While fraud did occur in the district, Byrd was not named in the resulting lawsuit.

Despite the divided decision and controversy, Byrd is expected to begin his tenure with a 100-day plan focused on setting strategic goals and delivering measurable outcomes. Business and government leaders have signaled their intent to closely monitor the plan’s progress and collaborate in efforts to improve educational outcomes across the district.

In response to Byrd’s appointment, City Councilor for District 7, Andrew Szymanski, issued a statement addressing the Montgomery School Board, the MPS community, teachers, students, parents, and Dr. Byrd.

Szymanski wrote Byrd and emphasized the significant responsibility that accompanies the role.​

“I hope Dr. Zickeyous Byrd is successful in this critical role, but with that hope comes immense pressure and responsibility,” said Szymanski. “Our children deserve nothing less than a first-class education that gives them the tools to succeed in an ever-changing world. Dr. Byrd must lead with intention, transparency, and unwavering resolve to deliver the best for every student in our community. There should be no question that transparency builds trust. The families of Montgomery need to see and understand the direction our schools are headed.”

Szymanski concluded with a call to action for the broader community to prioritize children’s needs and support public education.

“As Dr. Byrd takes the helm, the stakes could not be higher. This is a tenuous moment for Montgomery. Support of public education has never been more important. As a child of a public school teacher and the byproduct of a public school system that put children’s needs first, I call on the broader community to put our children first so that together we can build a future where every student thrives

Byrd brings nearly a decade of experience in education leadership, with a track record that includes leading schools out of failing status. His appointment comes at a pivotal time for the district, following the resignation of former superintendent Dr. Melvin Brown in November 2024.

Sherri Blevins is a writer for Mountain Valley News and a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You may contact her at [email protected].