Trussville City Schools Board of Education voted unanimously Monday night to name Dr. Pattie Neill as superintendent of the city’s school system. Neill has served as interim superintendent since July 30.
Superintendent Patricia Neill
“We are very excited that Dr. Neill has agreed to serve as superintendent for our school system,” Bill Roberts, president of the Trussville City Schools Board of Education said. “She is highly regarded in the education community and she has been an outstanding interim superintendent. In a brief time, she has earned the trust, confidence and support of our teachers, administrators and students. Her enthusiasm for her work is contagious and she has set a positive tone as the leader of our school system.”
Among her many accomplishments as interim superintendent, Neill has filled critical open positions with high caliber people, established a cutting- edge Alternative Learning Center, addressed textbook requirements for the school system’s math program and presented a comprehensive plan for a potential new elementary school. Also, Neill has directed and implemented initiatives designed to improve the ACT scores of Hewitt-Trussville High School students. She has worked closely with the principals of each school in the system to support their programs and goals.
“Along the way, she has drawn praises from many parents, civic leaders and various groups that support our schools,” Roberts said. “She has proven to be a tremendous team- builder.”
Roberts said the board had authorized him to finalize a contract with Neill, which he expected would be completed within the next few days. Key elements of the contract will be compensation and contractual agreements.
Neill will receive annual compensation of $170,000 and a car allowance of $600 per month. The initial contract will end on June 30, 2016.
It is also stated that Neill will reside within the city limits of Trussville no later than Aug
. 1, 2013.
Neill, a Birmingham native, retired after serving 30 years in a variety of capacities with public school systems in the state of Tennessee. Since 2007, she has served as Assistant Professor Graduate Studies at Samford University, where she instructs elementary and secondary teachers and administrators who are earning doctorate or master’s degrees in education. She also regularly provides professional development training to superintendents, principals and teachers in connection with conferences, seminars and workshops conducted by the State of Alabama Department of Education and other organizations.
Neill earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Auburn University (1977), and Master of Science (1979) and Doctor of Education (1996) degrees from the University of Tennessee. She also holds a Supervisor/Administrator Certificate from the University of Tennessee. Neill served as Superintendent of Schools for the 7,400-student Cumberland County School District in Crossville, Tenn. She has also served as Director of Special Education, Student Services and Alternative Programs in Oak Ridge, Tenn., and as an elementary principal for 15 years in Anderson County, Tenn. She began her career as a Special Education teacher (EMR, LD, ED, Gifted). She also served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and at Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tenn.
“It has been my pleasure to serve as interim superintendent, and it will be a blessing to continue as the permanent superintendent in Trussville City Schools,” Neill said. “I am looking forward to working with the high caliber of caring professionals, the community, city officials and this outstanding Board of Education as we continue to move Trussville onward and upward to the next level of excellence.”