Bright Future Ahead for Autauga County Schools

Autauga County Schools

Lyman Woodfin, Autauga County Schools’ new superintendent, is a 17-year veteran of the school system, having served as a teacher, coach and school administrator. He began his career teaching social studies and coaching at Marbury High School and later served as an assistant principal at Prattville High School and a principal at Marbury High School. 

During his tenure at Marbury, Woodfin overhauled the curriculum offerings to meet students’ educational needs, including adding new vocational classes in broadcasting, business, agriculture and construction. Livability chatted with Woodfin about his new role and goals.

As a former student, teacher, coach and administrator of Autauga County Schools, what unique insights do you bring to the role of superintendent? 
My experience helps me relate to any issues that we’re having a little better. It wasn’t but a few years ago that I was in the classroom, and it wasn’t but a few years ago I was coaching on the field, and last year, I was running the school, so some of the concerns and issues that our staff members have, I feel like I can relate a little better to them than somebody who wasn’t here. 

How has the school district changed and what positive aspects have stayed the same? 
I’ve worked every step of the educational path, and I truly believe our people are second to none. Our people are so crucial to what makes our system run so well. That hasn’t changed. There have been shifts in education across the country in terms of how we go about meeting the needs of students that go far beyond academics and making sure that we give them everything they need in terms of emotional support, mental health support and academic support. And we are meeting those needs as best as we can. But the things that were great about Autauga County Schools then are also great now – and that’s our people. 

What are your goals for the future of the school district, and how do you envision these goals contributing to the overall success and well-being of students? 
My personal educational belief is that it’s our job to give the student whatever he or she needs to be successful when they graduate. Education should look different for each individual student based on what they want to do when they get out of high school. 

Everything that we do from K-12 should be to make that student as valuable to themselves and their community as possible. Then we must make sure we’re providing those resources to help that student achieve that success. We also must have that same passion for our employees. I want our employees and anyone who’s working for the Autauga County Board of Education to know we’ve got their backs because we value them and what they contribute to the education of our children. 

How does the school district align its programs to prepare students for the evolving demands of the workforce? 
Our Autauga County Technology Center does a really great job of preparing students for whatever career they’re interested in pursuing. We’ve also shifted to include more career and technical programs to the high school campuses, and it runs the full spectrum of skills training, from electrical and construction to agriculture and engineering. We’re also looking to grow our dual enrollment program by expanding on our partnership with Central Alabama Community College. 

How does the school district collaborate with local businesses, industry and community organizations to support workforce development initiatives? 
Since becoming superintendent, I’ve had several meetings with the Prattville Area Chamber of Commerce as well as with our local business leaders to learn what the local workforce needs are. We seek the input of our local businesses and ask what they need from our students. Then we let those answers guide our curriculum. 

Each campus is different in that its course offerings are designed to suit the business needs of each community.