Dr. Martha Liddell, assistant superintendent for the Columbus Municipal School District, was named interim superintendent Friday afternoon during a special meeting at the central office. Liddell replaces former superintendent Dr. Del Phillips, who resigned last month to take a position as director of schools for the Sumner County School District in Gallatin, Tenn.
School board president Dr. Glenn Lautzenhiser told administrators and staff that Liddell”s experience in the district, combined with her vision, energy, and participatory management style, makes her a good choice to lead the CMSD through the transition to a permanent superintendent.
“She”s been involved in so many of the successful things we”ve implemented,” Lautzenhiser said after the meeting. “She has great people skills, and a lot of enthusiasm.”
In her acceptance speech, Liddell praised Phillips, calling him one of her greatest heroes.
“He”s truly one of a kind,” Liddell said. “He”s a force to be reckoned with, whenever, wherever.”
She named teamwork as a key ingredient in the district”s past successes and said she plans to continue that legacy, keeping her passion for education and student achievement at the forefront.
“I”m for every child, every single day,” she said. “There”s no turning back now. It”s full-steam ahead.”
Phillips, whose last day will be June 11, said Liddell is “a great choice.”
“She”s been a rock for me since I”ve been here,” he said, citing her involvement in the magnet schools program, flex calendar, and other CMSD missions. “I couldn”t be happier for her or the district.”
Liddell holds 21 years of experience in education and administration and has been with the Columbus Municipal School District since 2002.
She has served as assistant superintendent since 2007, a role which includes supervising the magnet schools program and working as a grant coordinator and enrollment officer. She has also served as the CMSD district test coordinator, director of middle schools, and principal of Sale Elementary. She holds a master”s degree in education from Mississippi State University.
Earlier in the week, the board of trustees voted 4-1 to use an outside firm to help locate and recruit potential candidates to fill the superintendent”s position permanently. Board president Glenn Lautzenhiser said by accepting the interim position, Liddell will not be precluded from applying for the full-time position if she so chooses.
Liddell grinned broadly as she hugged administrators and staff members who lined up after the announcement to congratulate her.
“I”m honored,” she said. “It”s a great day to be a Falcon.”
Carmen K. Sisson is the former news editor at The Dispatch.
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