MONROEVILLE, Alabama -- Monroe County Schools Superintendent Melanie Ryals is retiring after 33 years as an educator. Ryals served as director of curriculum for Monroe County and was principal at Monroeville Elementary School before being appointed superintendent 3 years ago. She said the board offered to extend her contract for another 5 years, but she “decided it was time to go.”
Interviews have begun with some of the 11 candidates who have applied for Ryals’ position. Her last day as superintendent is June 30.
'It's been a privilege and an honor,' Ryals said
“It’s been a privilege and honor to be a part of Monroe County schools,” said the 53-year-old mother of 3.
One of the toughest decisions she faced came in 2009, when the Monroe County school board voted unanimously to close Frisco City High School at the end of the term. School officials said the closing was due to waning enrollment, falling tax revenue and statewide proration.
“That’s always very hard to do,” Ryals said. “You finally find yourself in a position that you have no choice.”
Ryals, who is from Repton, said when she came onboard as superintendent “we had 0 in our general fund.”
Today, she said, the school system is “experiencing unprecedented fiscal challenges” with funding cuts. “I just hope that I have made a difference somewhere along the way, even if it was just for one child,” said Ryals.
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