Former Cullman City Schools Superintendent Dr. Jan Harris, left, and Former Cullman County Schools Superintendent Billy Coleman address the crowd at a Casting Crowns concert May 1, 2011 following the April 27, 2011 tornado that struck Cullman.

King Solomon said, “Pride will ruin people, but those who are humble will be honored.” He also said, “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Billy Coleman, the past elected superintendent of Cullman County Schools, is the living example of these wise statements of truth. A servant leader, Mr. Coleman blazed the trails of improvement in the short time he served in this important leadership position. Recognizing the need for Cullman County Schools’ financial stability, Billy extracted himself from the rank of retired principal, ran for the office of superintendent in 2010 on a platform of promised change, and delivered more than the citizens of Cullman expected.  

Once elected, he immediately charted the course for his vision, holding 54 town hall meetings about the need for a new half-cent sales tax dedicated to the children of Cullman County.  Additionally, he talked about the need to change the county superintendent position from elected to appointed, and his desire to have the Section 16 lands committed to the oversight of Cullman County Schools.  

Mr. Coleman wisely initiated a joint project, a shared Army JROTC program, with Cullman City Schools to show unity in Cullman County. Together, we promised to begin this program with revenue from the proposed half-cent sales tax. In spite of the fact that 22 percent of this proposed tax would be promised to Cullman City Schools (based on student enrollment), he garnered undivided support for this new revenue source, securing its passage in the spring election of 2012. This new revenue, a welcomed relief from proration and Cullman County’s depleted reserve fund, is already changing the landscape of education in his beloved school district.  

Not one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Coleman continued the conversation of his quest for Cullman County Schools to control its Section 16 lands, gained legislative support and the support of Governor Bentley, and realized the unanimous passage of the Legislature’s Act to allow the citizens of Cullman County to vote on this action in November of 2012, and it easily passed! Mr. Coleman also successfully persuaded his Board of Education and legislative delegation to change the position of superintendent from an elected to appointed position.  

Mr. Coleman is courageous, patient, intelligent and kind; he is a man of character. He is an excellent role model for young and old. He is more than a leader, more than a superintendent; Billy Coleman is a true statesman.  

Thank you, Mr. Coleman, for your dedicated, tireless efforts to improve the educational opportunities for the children of Cullman County and Cullman City Schools.  May God continue to bless you and your family as you begin the next chapter of your life!

Jan Irons Harris, Ed.D., is a retired superintendent of education from Cullman City Schools. She served January 2005 – August 2013.