Dr. Zel Thomas selected as new ECS superintendent

At a special called meeting on June 3, the Enterprise City Schools Board of Education unanimously approved the naming of assistant superintendent Dr. Zel Thomas as the new superintendent of the school system.

Thomas – who has served as ECS assistant superintendent for the past four years – was selected over fellow ECS assistant superintendent Dr. Patrick Cain, Cullman County Schools assistant superintendent April Tucker and former Troy City Schools Superintendent Dr. Lee Hicks. All four candidates were interviewed on May 26 and the board spent the following week speaking to the references of each candidate. Leadership was a common theme from those references.

Four board members were selected to contact the references of one candidate each and get feedback about that candidate. Board member Steven Duke was responsible for contacting Thomas’ references and said that they all spoke of his leadership.

“They were all complimentary of him and one of the main things that came from his references was his strong leadership and communication (skills),” Duke said of Thomas.

Board Vice President Marty Williams said that Hicks’ references also pointed to his leadership.

“They said his main concern was the students and that he was a great leader,” Williams said.

Board member retired Col. Bob Doerer said that Tucker’s leadership was also a point of emphasis from her references.

“They all spoke highly of her abilities,” Doerer said. “These references either worked for her, (worked) with her or she worked for them. So, it really gave a 360-degrees assessment of her abilities.

“I asked why this board should select her as our superintendent of the school system and the overarching theme of their responses was her leadership skills. (They said) she is passionate and a leader among her peers.”

Board President Rodrick Caldwell said Cain’s references gave glowing recommendations.

“All of his references were great,” Caldwell said. “(They said) he’s a leader, a go-getter, a brilliant young man and a family man that would make a great superintendent for (ECS).”

In the end, Caldwell made the recommendation to name Thomas as the next superintendent.

“After 16 years working for this organization and after working in some parts of the school system without getting paid for it – being principal at Pinedale and also over (elementary) education and still getting paid one salary – after those 16 years working for this system and possibly even being overlooked we have our superintendent here, I think,” Caldwell said. “I really believe that. At this time, I would like to recommend Dr. Zel Thomas as the new superintendent of Enterprise City Schools.”

Doerer made a motion to vote on the recommendation and Duke seconded that motion before the recommendation was unanimously approved by all board members.

Thomas – who is a Dothan native – holds an associate’s degree from Wallace Community College, a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Troy University, a master’s degree in education leadership from Troy and a PhD in adult education from Auburn University.

During his teaching career he’s spent time as an elementary school teacher, an assistant principal at both high school and elementary schools, a principal in both elementary and high schools, director of elementary education, student services coordinator and assistant superintendent. All of his jobs have been at schools in the Wiregrass including Ozark City Schools, Daleville City Schools, Abbeville City Schools and the last 16 years at Enterprise City Schools.

“I’m excited and so humbled,” Thomas said of being named superintendent. “It really hasn’t fully sunk in yet because I wasn’t sure the way this was going to go.

“I’m excited about the opportunity that’s before me to work with everyone in the system. I’ve worked with all of the administrators for years, so we already have a good rapport and I have a good relationship with the staff and teachers. So, I think the learning curve won’t be as steep as it would have been for some.”

While Thomas is excited for the job and wanted it, he said that becoming superintendent wasn’t always his goal.

“Honestly it wasn’t (my goal),” Thomas said of becoming superintendent. “Wherever I was needed I was happy to go. Honestly, my favorite job in education has been being a principal. I loved being with the kids but I also realized I could have more impact the higher up I go.

“I wasn’t necessarily looking for it but when this opportunity presented itself I would be remiss if I didn’t try it. Now, we have to continue working and doing the best we can for the students of Enterprise City Schools and take care of our faculty and staff. You have to take care of those that take care of you.”

Thomas and Cain have worked together at ECS since 2014 – and have both been assistant superintendents at ECS since 2017 – and Thomas said they supported each other during this process.

“I remember telling him before the interview, ‘Go do what you have to do because we don’t need someone from the outside coming in and taking the job’,” Thomas joked.

Thomas was in a similar situation in 2017 when he interviewed for the same job that Greg Faught eventually was selected for. He said that he hopes Cain will remain onboard at ECS.

“He and I will sit down together. He’s a good guy and he’s super smart and brings a lot to the table,” Thomas said. “Ideally if he could stay on I would love that but I wouldn’t hinder him if he got an opportunity (to be superintendent) somewhere else.

“We want to get everyone in the right position to make everything flow. I don’t anticipate him leaving, so I anticipate us continuing to work together.”

Additionally, the June 3 meeting was the final meeting for Doerer. He had some parting words for the board and also urged the school system to continue building relationships with Enterprise State Community College, local businesses and the city in the future.

“As my duties end here it has been an honor to have the privilege to serve on this board,” Doerer said. “Enterprise City Schools is a very, very good school system and it looks to improve itself every day because of the efforts of the great faculty, staff, students and parents of the school system.”

As Enterprise High School’s new baseball and softball complex is nearing completion, Doerer said he wanted to thank the city for allowing the school system to use the city’s baseball and softball fields for more than 40 years and urged the school system to do something to show its appreciation.

“I would like to thank and publicly acknowledge the City of Enterprise for allowing our athletes to use the city’s facilities over the years,” he said. “I think that is a fantastic thing and I also want to give a special thanks to (Enterprise) Parks and Recreation for maintaining those fields.

“I would like to recommend to the board to show the city our appreciation and see how can improve those fields. Whether that means a (new) backstop, PA system, scoreboards and something else to show our gratitude to the city and its citizens.”

The next school board meeting is scheduled for June 29 but Caldwell emphasized that a meeting will likely be called before that.