Madison City Schools celebrated its silver anniversary on Sunday with a reception for past and present leaders. Another observance is planned next Fall combining the opening of Journey Middle with the 25th anniversary of the first school-year start.
Twenty-five years ago, on Oct. 16, 1997, the Madison City Council formally approved the measure that created a Madison City Board of Education. That move set in motion the huge challenge of building a school system apart from the countywide school district that Madison and Triana had been under. The task was accomplished in time for the system to open with the 1998-1999 school year.
Then-Madison City council members who voted to form an independent city school system:
Cynthia McCollum, Greg Curtis, Marc Jacobson, Sally Warden
The move to independence was spurred by a citizen movement in Madison started several years prior. Proponents - led by parents, community leaders and area leaders - demanded higher excellence for schools serving Madison than a countywide system could provide.
The citizens of Madison and Triana laid the groundwork by approving property tax increases on themselves and pushing through the complex legal, budgetary and logistical hurdles to form a school district.
The rest is history.
Madison City Schools has grown from 5,638 students and six schools in 1998 to over 12.400 students today spread across 11 campuses - 12 when the new Journey Middle School that is under construction opens in fall 2023. Its students; music, arts, athletics, theater programs; and widespread academic programs consistently outperform other districts across the region, state and nation.
At Sunday's celebration ceremony, longtime Board Attorney Woody Sanderson gave a historical overview of the movement for independence.
Also speaking were Mayor Paul Finley, Triana Mayor Mary Caudle, Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols and current Board of Education President Tim Holtcamp.
Sen. Arthur Orr presented a legislative resolution on behalf of himself and Sen. Tom Butler, congratulating MCS for its 25th anniversary.
Several of the early leaders also shared thoughts.
Below are a few photos from Sunday's reception. Click here for WHNT-19 news story:
Reception for the 25th anniversary observance of the creation of a Madison City Board of Education
Madison City BOE President Tim Holtcamp
Longtime MCS Board of Education Attorney Woody Sanderson who helped lead the breakaway to an independent school system
State Sen. Arthur Orr presenting a commendation resolution to Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols
Madison Mayor Paul Finley with Triana Mayor Mary Caudle
Greg Curtis, Cynthia McCollum, Woody Sanderson, Sally Warden, Marc Jacobson.
Early trailblazers in the MCS move to independence
Current MCS Board of Education members Tommy Overcash, Travis Cummings (vice president), Tim Holtcamp (president). Alice Lessmann, Scott Newberry and Supt. Dr. Ed Nichols
State Sen. Arthur Orr, former BOE members and now Madison City Council representatives Ranae Bartlett and Connie Spears with Mr. Richard Spears
MCS BOE VP Travis Cummings with former MCS BOE member Sheila Nash Stevenson
Cynthia McCollum, Debbie Overcash, John Allen, Alice Lessmann
Former BOE member Luis Ferrer and current BOE member Tommy Overcash
PTA leaders for Madison City Schools
Former BOE members David Hergenroeder and Terri Johnson
Vic Van Leeuwen and former Madison Mayor Ann van Leeuwen, former Madison Councilmember Sally Warden.
Also, Ruth Galloway, member of the original pre-MCS Madison Education Committee
Sen. Arthur Orr and Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols
Madison City BOE member Scott Newberry, former BOE member Greg Hulsey, BOE vice president Travis Cummings
October 16, 2022 reception celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Madison City Board of Education
Triana Mayor Mary Caudle, left, and Madison Mayor Paul Finley
Supt. Dr. Ed Nichols, Madison Chamber of Commerce executive director Michelle Epling, Mayor Paul Finley
Superintendent Dr. Ed Nichols