Pell City Schools

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this morning’s special called Board meeting! The Board approved the hiring of Blake Laney as the new Head Girls Basketball Coach. We are excited to welcome Coach Laney to Pell City and look forward to the leadership, energy, and dedication he will bring to our student-athletes and basketball program. It was also a bittersweet moment as the Board approved the promotion of Duran Junior High School Principal Dr. Cory O’Neal to serve as our new Federal Programs Director. While Dr. O’Neal will be greatly missed on campus, we are proud to see him step into this important role that will positively impact students and schools across the entire system. In addition, the Board renewed the contracts of two outstanding school leaders: Jennifer Hannah, Principal of Coosa Valley Elementary, and Haley Williams, Principal of Iola Roberts Elementary. Both have demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to the success of their students, staff, and schools. We appreciate the continued dedication of our educators and leaders as we work together to move Pell City Schools forward. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

Spring Break is finally here! Whether you’re traveling or staying right here at home, we hope everyone has a safe, relaxing week. We’ll see you back on Monday, March 30, ready to finish the year strong! Have a great Spring Break, Panther family! #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

Welcome, Coach Laney! 🎉 Coach Laney will fill some very big shoes for our girls basketball team. His record speaks for itself – and we’re excited to watch him and our girls compete at a level unlike no other. Please welcome him to our Pell City family! #WeArePC | #PantherPride

Never forget that kindness starts with you. A simple smile. An encouraging word. Sitting with someone who feels alone. Standing up for someone who needs support. Small actions can make a big difference in someone’s day – and sometimes in their life. Being kind isn’t just about what we say, but what we choose not to ignore. If you see someone being mistreated, excluded, or hurting, speak up. Tell a trusted adult. Check on that person. Let them know they’re not alone. Looking out for one another is one of the most powerful ways we build a safe and supportive school community. Pell City Schools is committed to being an advocate for every student. We have counselors, administrators, School Resource Officers, teachers, and staff members ready to listen and connect students with the support they need. No one should feel like they have to face difficult situations by themselves. Together, we can make our schools places where every student feels seen, valued, and safe. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

NOW HIRING: Registered Occupational Therapist 📌 Salary Range: $57,050–$84,456 📌 Role: Evaluate students, develop treatment plans, provide occupational therapy services, supervise COTAs, maintains records, and collaborate with staff and families to support student success. Candidates may apply through HireTrue. For more information, please contact Leah Pendergrass, Special Programs Director.

Pell City Board of Education member Eddie Wilson has been making the rounds across our schools, spending time on campuses to hear directly from teachers, staff, and students. These visits are all about listening, learning, and seeing firsthand the great things happening in our classrooms – as well as understanding the needs of those we serve. Today, Mr. Wilson, along with Jeff Thompson from the City of Pell City, stopped by the Legacy Center to see how our youngest learners are enjoying their school experience. From smiling faces to the hands-on activities, it was a joyful reminder of just how important these early years are. We are incredibly grateful for Principal Kelley and the entire Legacy Center team for the love, care, and dedication they pour into our students each day. Their work truly lays the foundation for our students before they take the next step. Thank you, Mr. Wilson and Mr. Thompson, for taking the time to invest in our schools and community! #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Pell City Schools! ☘️ We’re especially lucky to have incredible students, dedicated employees, supportive families, and a community that stands behind our schools every single day. That’s the kind of “luck” that truly makes a difference. #StPatricksDay | #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

The Pell City Board of Education will hold a Special Called Board Meeting on Friday, March 20, at 7:00 a.m. 📍 Pell City Board of Education Office 3105 15th Avenue North Pell City, AL 35125 Meetings of the Board are open to the public, and we encourage those who are able to attend in person. Thank you for your continued engagement and support of Pell City Schools. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

We are closely monitoring the Winter Weather Advisory across our area, including updated forecasts and road conditions, in coordination with local officials. At this time, all schools will continue to operate on a normal schedule for the remainder of the day. However, all after-school activities are canceled. If weather conditions worsen or travel becomes unsafe, we will communicate any additional schedule changes to parents and guardians as quickly as possible. Updates will be shared through ParentSquare, email, text message, and our official social media channels. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. We appreciate your patience and cooperation as we continue to monitor the situation. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

If you’ve ever walked through the doors at Coosa Valley Elementary, chances are you’ve been greeted by one of the most familiar, and unforgettable, faces on campus: Mrs. Heather Otwell. As the school secretary, she’s often the very first person students, parents, and visitors see, and she makes sure every single one feels welcomed. Whether she’s keeping things running smoothly in the office, brightening the hallways with her energy, or finding creative (and funny) ways to make someone smile, Mrs. Otwell brings something special to CVES every day. Support professionals like Heather are truly the backbone of our schools. They may not always be in the spotlight, but their impact is felt in every classroom, every hallway, and every child they encourage along the way. Thank you, Mrs. Otwell, for your years of dedicated service to the Pell City community and for the love you pour into our students each day. Coosa Valley Elementary is better because of you. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

Stay tuned… 👀👂 #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

You’ve probably noticed a new phrase showing up more and more this school year: #WeArePC. But it’s more than just a hashtag – it’s a mindset. It means we’re all on the same team, working toward the same goal and united by the same mission. From City Hall to every school campus, from our local businesses to our churches, the entire community is pulling together to make Pell City a better place to live, learn, grow, work, and call home. #WeArePC represents pride, unity, and the belief that when one part of our community succeeds, we all succeed. It’s a reminder that our schools don’t stand alone – they are supported by an entire city that cares passionately about its students and its future. So when you see those three words, remember why we do what we do: because we all bleed Black and Gold. Go Panthers. 🐾 #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Pell City Board of Education meeting! The evening began with several special recognitions celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our students, staff, and programs. Please join us in congratulating Shelby Raulston for being selected to participate in the University of Alabama’s five-year Cultivating Elementary Mathematics Specialists project! We also recognized the Pell City High School Key Club and SkillsUSA students for their continued leadership and service to our community. Additionally, we had an amazing presentation from Pell City's Hope Squad. The Hope Squad is revolutionizing mental health education through a peer-to-peer program that empowers students to support one another and prevent suicide. The impact they've had is remarkable and should be used across every school system. We are so proud of all they do! As we recently announced, Ambrae Walker, a Child Nutrition Program team member at Pell City High School, was recognized by the Board for her impressive win at the Alabama School Nutrition Association Conference, where she took first place in a speed chopping competition. (watch your fingers around her ✋) We are also incredibly proud of the Duran Junior High Beta Club members who earned honors at the Alabama State Junior Beta Convention in February, including top placements in creative writing, performing arts, photography, and academics. In total, 27 students represented Duran Junior High at the convention – an outstanding showing for our school system. Our Spotlight School of the Month was Eden Elementary School. Principal Tabitha Surles and Assistant Principal Kristen Atwood shared updates on the many great things happening on campus, including an impressive improvement on the State Report Card, rising from a 78 to an 86 in just one year. We look forward to continued success for Eden and its students! The Board also addressed various personnel matters and announced that Pell City Schools is actively seeking substitute teachers while continuing efforts to recruit the best educators possible for the upcoming school year. Several exciting field trips were approved, including summer camp opportunities at Gulf Shores for the Duran Junior High and Pell City High School cheer teams, as well as travel for our Honor Band students to compete in the Alabama All-State Honor Band event in Mobile this April. We wish these students the best as they represent our school system! Additionally, the Board approved several bids, including improvements to lighting at Pete Rich Stadium and the CEPA facility, enhancing safety and the experience for students, performers, athletes, and spectators alike. We invite you to join us for our next regular Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. For the full agenda and meeting minutes, visit our website 👉 bit.ly/4b1XH9p Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we work together to help Pell City Schools achieve excellence. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s Pell City Board of Education meeting! The evening began with several special recognitions celebrating the outstanding accomplishments of our students, staff, and programs. Please join us in congratulating Shelby Raulston for being selected to participate in the University of Alabama’s five-year Cultivating Elementary Mathematics Specialists project! We also recognized the Pell City High School Key Club and SkillsUSA students for their continued leadership and service to our community. Additionally, we had an amazing presentation from Pell City's Hope Squad. The Hope Squad is revolutionizing mental health education through a peer-to-peer program that empowers students to support one another and prevent suicide. The impact they've had is remarkable and should be used across every school system. We are so proud of all they do! As we recently announced, Ambrae Walker, a Child Nutrition Program team member at Pell City High School, was recognized by the Board for her impressive win at the Alabama School Nutrition Association Conference, where she took first place in a speed chopping competition. (watch your fingers around her ✋) We are also incredibly proud of the Duran Junior High Beta Club members who earned honors at the Alabama State Junior Beta Convention in February, including top placements in creative writing, performing arts, photography, and academics. In total, 27 students represented Duran Junior High at the convention – an outstanding showing for our school system. Our Spotlight School of the Month was Eden Elementary School. Principal Tabitha Surles and Assistant Principal Kristen Atwood shared updates on the many great things happening on campus, including an impressive improvement on the State Report Card, rising from a 78 to an 86 in just one year. We look forward to continued success for Eden and its students! The Board also addressed various personnel matters and announced that Pell City Schools is actively seeking substitute teachers while continuing efforts to recruit the best educators possible for the upcoming school year. Several exciting field trips were approved, including summer camp opportunities at Gulf Shores for the Duran Junior High and Pell City High School cheer teams, as well as travel for our Honor Band students to compete in the Alabama All-State Honor Band event in Mobile this April. We wish these students the best as they represent our school system! Additionally, the Board approved several bids, including improvements to lighting at Pete Rich Stadium and the CEPA facility, enhancing safety and the experience for students, performers, athletes, and spectators alike. We invite you to join us for our next regular Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. For the full agenda and meeting minutes, visit our website 👉 bit.ly/4b1XH9p Thank you for your continued engagement and support as we work together to help Pell City Schools achieve excellence. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

The Pell City Board of Education will meet tonight, Tuesday, March 10, at the Pell City Board of Education office: 📍 3105 15th Ave N, Pell City, AL 35125 🕕 Board Meeting: 6:00 p.m. We encourage everyone who is able to attend in person; however, if you can’t join us, you can now watch online! Click the link below to stream the meeting, which will begin at approximately 6:00 p.m. 👉 youtube.com/live/W8ZtNu7FT… Thank you for staying engaged and supporting Pell City Schools!

Just a quick reminder for parents and guardians that Wednesday, March 11, will be a Distance Learning Day for Pell City Schools. Students will return to the classroom on Thursday, March 12. Thank you for your support and cooperation as we continue to provide the best learning environment for our students. #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools

As part of National Read Across America Week, Coosa Valley Elementary celebrated Future of America Day, and one student got a memorable experience to go along with it. Marcus Brooks, a student at CVES, dressed up as a future law enforcement officer. Deputy Otwell with the St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office helped make Marcus’ day by letting him check out his patrol car and showing him some of the buttons, equipment, and gear that officers use every day on the job. Moments like these are a great reminder of the strong partnership between our schools and local law enforcement. Our Pell City Police Department and St. Clair County Sheriff’s Office work hard every day to keep our schools, roads, and community safe. Thank you to Deputy Otwell for taking the time to encourage one of our future public servants! #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools | #ReadAcrossAmerica

Hey Pell City family – don't forget that Daylight Saving Time begins this tomorrow! ⏰ Be sure to set your clocks forward one hour before you go to bed tonight. Yes, that means we lose an hour of sleep… and yes, that also means don’t be late for school Monday morning! 😁 #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools | #DaylightSavingTime

Dr. Burns and members of the Pell City Board of Education – Matt Moon, Jarrett Jacobs, and Ryan Abernathy – visited classrooms this week to spend time with our students and join in on the fun for National Read Across America Week! We appreciate how hands-on our Superintendent and board members are with our schools. They make it a priority to spend time on our campuses, connect with the students they serve, listen to our educators, and be a resource for our employees. This is just one of many ways we do it better here in Pell City. Thank you, Dr. Burns, Mr. Moon, Mr. Jacobs, and Mr. Abernathy, for taking the time to invest in our students! #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools | #ReadAcrossAmerica

Today, on National Employee Appreciation Day, we celebrate the incredible people who make Pell City Schools such a special place for our students, families, and community. From our teachers and administrators to our support staff, bus drivers, child nutrition teams, maintenance crews, office personnel, aides, and so many others – each person plays a vital role in creating safe, supportive, and inspiring learning environments across our school system. Your dedication, compassion, and hard work do not go unnoticed. “Our employees are the heartbeat of what we have going on here in Pell City,” said Dr. Burns. “We’re more than co-workers, we’re a family of educators and support professionals who would give anything for these kids we serve. Thank you for everything you do to move Pell City Schools forward.” To every member of the Pell City Schools team: thank you for showing up each day with purpose and an unwavering commitment to helping our students. You are the reason our school system continues to grow, succeed, and make a difference throughout our community. #EmployeeAppreciationDay | #WeArePC | #PellCitySchools