Dr. Jason Goodwin officially took the helm of Pike Road Schools on July 1, following his appointment by the board on May 9. He succeeds Dr. Keith Lankford, who concluded a four-year tenure as superintendent and moved into a new role as assistant superintendent the same day.
“What first attracted me to Pike Road Schools was its unwavering commitment to excellence and its belief that every student deserves extraordinary opportunities to learn, grow, and succeed,” Goodwin said.
He continued by sharing, “as a relatively young district it had experienced tremendous growth in a relatively short period of time, allowing for a unique opportunity to help shape something special and to build on a strong foundation while contributing to the next phase of its growth.”
“Our teachers are passionate professionals who genuinely care about students, our families are engaged and supportive, and our community consistently invests in our schools,” he said.
Goodwin said the people of Pike Road have been the district’s defining strength and a personal anchor for his family.
“Pike Road has truly become our home, and experiencing that sense of belonging both personally and professionally has been one of the most rewarding aspects of my time here,” said Goodwin.
He credited Lankford with helping to elevate the district’s reputation statewide. “Dr. Lankford has been an outstanding leader and mentor,” Goodwin said. “His vision, integrity, and commitment to students have helped establish Pike Road Schools as one of Alabama’s premier school systems. I’m grateful for the opportunity to have worked alongside him, and I appreciate the strong foundation he has built.” Goodwin said his goal is “to uphold the foundation he and his team have built while continuing to move the district forward.”
As Pike Road grows—and with the new Pike Road High School on the horizon—Goodwin shared both the district’s greatest strength and its biggest opportunity around its people and pace of change.
“Our greatest strength is our people—our students, teachers, staff, families, community partners and the steadfast leadership of our Board of Education,” he said. “We are also incredibly fortunate to be part of the Town of Pike Road, a community that places an extraordinary value on public education and continually invests in the success of our schools and students. “
“Our greatest opportunity is our continued growth” Goodwin shared. “As our community continues to grow and we prepare to open the new Pike Road High School, we have an incredible opportunity to expand academic programs, strengthen college and career pathways, and create even more opportunities for students.” He emphasized the need to ensure “every campus continues to reflect the culture of excellence, high expectations, and strong relationships previously built in Pike Road Schools.”
Goodwin outlined three priorities for his first 100 days:
- “Listen and learn,” by visiting every school and meeting with students, teachers, staff, families, and community members.
- “Review our strategic plan and associated initiatives,” to celebrate progress, identify areas for added focus, and ensure alignment with student needs and community vision.
- “Continue strengthening our leadership teams and supporting our educators,” so that “every student continues to receive an exceptional educational experience.”
Having served the district over the past two years, Goodwin said he will lean into relationships and transparency as superintendent.
“I plan to continue strengthening those relationships by being visible, accessible, and engaged in our schools and throughout our community,” he said. “I believe ongoing collaboration and open communication are essential to building trust and ensuring we continue moving in the right direction.”
Over the next three to five years, Goodwin said he wants each campus to “maintain its unique identity while remaining connected through one shared mission and culture.” His vision includes a “seamless educational journey from kindergarten through graduation,” with expanded academic offerings, college and career pathways, extracurricular programs, and “innovative learning experiences” that preserve Pike Road’s close-knit feel.
Recruiting, developing, and retaining excellent educators will be a central focus for Goodwin.
“Great schools are built by great people,” he said. “One of my highest priorities is to continue building the capacity of our teachers, principals, and staff by providing the support, resources, and professional learning they need to grow and thrive.” As the district grows, Pike Road will “strategically recruit experienced and proven professionals who share our mission, values, and commitment to excellence,” while cultivating talent from within.
Goodwin also acknowledged the urgency of addressing teacher burnout. He shared, “It begins with listening to our educators, protecting instructional time, reducing unnecessary tasks whenever possible, and ensuring they have the tools, resources, and support they need to focus on what matters most—providing exceptional learning experiences for our students.”
On academic success, Goodwin argued for a broad view. “Academic success is about more than one test score,” he said. The district will monitor achievement and growth alongside graduation rates, college and career readiness, literacy and numeracy progress, and opportunities for students to excel “in academics, fine arts, athletics, and career pathways.” Ultimately, he said, “success means every student leaves Pike Road prepared for whatever path they choose.”
Goodwin also emphasizing continuity and community. “I don’t see this as simply taking on a new position—I see it as continuing a shared journey,” he said.
“My commitment is to lead with integrity, transparency, humility, and a student-centered focus,” said Goodwin. “Together, we’ll build on the strong foundation that’s already in place and continue creating extraordinary opportunities for every student. I’m excited about what lies ahead and grateful for the opportunity to serve the Pike Road community.”
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