Alabama has a new interim chief educator. The state Board of Education appointed veteran educator Dr. Phillip Cleveland as acting superintendent on Thursday. His first day in the new role is Friday.
Cleveland led the Department of Career and Technical education under former superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice, who retired in March. Board members, like vice chairman Jeffery Newman, say Cleveland is now the best choice to lead the department while the search is on for a permanent superintendent.
Cleveland holds a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University in Agriculture Business and Economics, a master’s degree from Auburn in Agriculture Education, an A.A. from Alabama A&M University in Agribusiness Education, and an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership from Nova Southeastern University.
He has been an agriscience education teacher, career technical education director, and high school principal. His postsecondary experiences include vice president for learning and dean of applied technologies at Wallace State Community College and interim president of Chattahoochee Valley State Community College.
“I am honored to serve at the pleasure of the State Board of Education as the interim superintendent,” Cleveland said in a prepared statement. “My focus will be improving efficiency in state government and providing increased support for K-12 children of our great state.”
The search for a permanent superintendent starts later this month. An application will be posted to www.alsde.edu by April 18, The deadline for applications is June 6.