Facing the departure of its superintendent just as a new school year opened, the Baldwin County school board turned to a familiar and highly regarded figure from within its own ranks. Meeting at Robertsdale Elementary School, the board selected Robbie Owen, principal of Rockwell Elementary, to serve as interim superintendent after Alan Lee steps down on Nov. 1.
A quick handoff
Owen was set to begin his new duties almost immediately, with Lee moving into an advisory role, according to board President Norm Moore. The arrangement was designed to smooth the transition at the top of the district while the board prepared for the longer task of finding a permanent replacement.
Owen brought deep experience to the assignment. He had been principal at the Spanish Fort school since 1997, and his record had earned him recognition well beyond Baldwin County:
- In 2011, he was featured on the White House website as a “Champion of Change.”
- In 2008, he was named Alabama’s National Distinguished Principal.
- He earned a bachelor of science in elementary education and a bachelor of arts in sociology from the University of Mobile.
A choice with broad support
Moore said Owen had been suggested by several sources, including central office staffers and Rockwell Elementary parents. The board’s confidence in the selection was plain.
“We’re looking forward to his leadership, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job,” Moore said.
The move to elevate Owen raised the question of who would lead Rockwell Elementary in his absence, but Moore played down any concern. He said the board would likely appoint an interim principal at Rockwell, and he credited Owen with having built a strong bench.
“He has trained his assistant principals very well, and of course, he’ll go back there when his term is up,” Moore said, according to school system spokesman Terry Wilhite.
Preparing for a permanent search
With the interim leadership settled, the board turned its attention to the process of finding a permanent successor to Lee, who had submitted his resignation on Aug. 4. Board members were set to undergo training from the state board of education on how to conduct that search.
The tone of the meeting suggested the immediate pressure had eased. About 40 people crowded into the library at Robertsdale Elementary for the session. The board did not hold further discussion about hiring a search firm, and afterward Moore said the urgency around that decision had diminished.
“At this point, that’s not critical,” Moore said.
That marked a shift from the board’s previous meeting on Aug. 7, when members had stressed the importance of getting an interim superintendent in place before schools opened on Aug. 18. By naming Owen, the board met that goal with time to spare, ensuring that a seasoned administrator with a national reputation would be at the helm as students across Baldwin County returned to class.