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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

ALABASTER – The Shelby County Schools Board of Education approved David Butts, Bobby Cummings and Natalie Landrum to new administrative positions at a recent BOE meeting on Thursday, Feb. 20.

Butts was honored by the BOE as the new principal at Montevallo High School, while Cummings was approved to be a new assistant principal at Oak Mountain High School and Landrum was approved to be the new assistant principal at Helena Intermediate School.

Butts has had a wealthy history working in education with 24 years of experience under his belt. He most recently served as the principal of New Direction/Success, but prior to that, he served as an assistant principal at Helena High School. Butts holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Faulkner University and a master’s degree in instructional leadership from the University of West Alabama.

He greeted the board during the meeting, expressing his excitement for what this new position has to offer him, as well as his gratitude to Shelby County Schools.

“Thank y’all for letting me have this prestigious principal’s job,” Butts said. “I’ve been there now for one and a half and I’ve been welcomed and it’s been a great ride so far. We have a lot to do, but I feel like it’s going in the right direction and I’ve gotten a lot of support. I think this is a great, tremendous community.” 

Cummings has 15 years of teaching experience to his name within the Shelby County School district alone. Prior to his newest position, he has served in multiple roles, including being an administrative assistant at Oak Mountain High School for three years and a physical education teacher and coach at Helena Middle School for 12 years.

Cummings expressed his thanks to the BOE for all of the support he has received, as well as his desire to get to work at OMHS.

“I take tremendous pride in being an employee of Shelby County Schools,” Cummings said. “Through these 15 years, I’ve had people at every level invest into me, pour into me and help me be successful, and because of that, I am extremely grateful. As far as Oak Mountain High School, I’m so honored and proud to be a part of such a fantastic administrative team who cares for kids and makes decisions based upon what’s best for kids.” 

Landrum carries over 21 years of educational experience into her new position from being a teacher and previously serving as an administrative assistant at Helena Intermediate School. Landrum was recognized as the Greater Shelby County Chamber of Commerce Teacher of the Year in 2018 and was a finalist for the Presidential Award for Excellence and Mathematics and Science Teaching in 2016.

“I appreciate Dr. (Lewis) Brooks has done to pour into us as teachers in Shelby County,” Landrum said. “I came from another (school) system and I feel like Shelby County taught me how to be a teacher. I appreciate you guys’ support and for being behind me in this process. I promise I won’t let you down and I’m excited to continue serving in Helena.”

In other news, the BOE honored and congratulated numerous teachers around Shelby County for obtaining or qualifying to maintain a National Board Certification. Every five years, teachers who have already obtained their certification go through a process to show they are maintaining the standards by which they were awarded it. 

The board also approved a bid for the addition of a new CNP dishmachine that will be placed in Oak Mountain High School, as well for grease trap pumping services and ceiling tile products for the county.

In addition, the board approved multiple change orders for projects happening around Shelby County. The BOE will be taking money back on projects that added classrooms to Calera Intermediate School and renovated the fine arts wing of Oak Mountain High School, while it will be spending more money in restriping four area schools.

The SCS Board of Education also approved and discussed the following items:

• Out-of-state field trips for Chelsea High School and Vincent Middle High School
• A management report
• The payroll and monthly expenditures for January 2025
• Extending TEAMS contracts
• Bus substitutes and aides
• Bid renewals for multiple projects
• Bid for additions and renovations to Montevallo High School
• An architect and construction report