Exciting Times Ahead for Birmingham Schools as Dr. Sullivan’s Future Hangs in the Balance
Birmingham, Alabama – The Birmingham Board of Education has an important decision to make tonight, as they prepare to vote on a proposed three-year contract for Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan. This vote is the next step following a recent performance evaluation that highlighted his growth and achievements since he took the reins in August 2020.
A Look Back at Dr. Sullivan’s Tenure
Dr. Sullivan’s time as superintendent hasn’t been without its challenges, but he has also implemented a number of initiatives to boost educational outcomes in the district. The evaluation, which was led by Board Member Mary Boehm, focused on several data-driven goals that were developed with input from a Harvard-affiliated group. These goals are measured through what they call Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), which fall into four main categories: student success, team excellence, stakeholder trust, and systems and planning.
The most heavily weighted category – student success – had nine specific goals. Dr. Sullivan is commended for hitting the mark on seven of these! Overall, he received a stunning KPI score of 3.85 out of 4, placing him squarely in the “Above Expectations” category. Board members also evaluated him based on nine competencies such as leadership and district culture, scoring an average of 2.91 out of 4, enough to meet their expectations.
The combined score from both sections resulted in an impressive 3.57 out of 4, which again suggests performance in the “Above Expectations” range. After the evaluation was laid out, board members expressed their approval with a hearty round of applause!
Words of Appreciation
In response to this recognition, Dr. Sullivan extended his heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in the evaluation process. Board President Jason Meadows, representing District 9, particularly highlighted the rigorous evaluation method. What stood out was the clear inclusion of academic performance in the KPIs—something that isn’t a requirement for school boards across the state.
“Dr. Sullivan faces more scrutiny than many other superintendents in Alabama,” Meadows pointed out. He was quick to cite a significant increase in literacy rates within the district, jumping from 50 to 81 percent, as proof of Dr. Sullivan’s positive impact.
Looking Ahead
However, there’s also a sense of realism about the ongoing challenges. Meadows mentioned, “We have a long way to go. A long way to go. But there’s a lot of hard work going on.” And indeed there is! Recent reports indicate that reading and math scores have shown significant improvement under Dr. Sullivan’s leadership.
Adding to the excitement, on November 18, Dr. Sullivan will co-teach a class at Harvard University! The course will feature a case study focused on the positive strides Birmingham City Schools is making. Talk about making waves!
The Big Decision
As the Birmingham Board of Education prepares to make a significant decision tonight, many in the community are hopeful for Dr. Sullivan’s continued leadership. Will he secure his position for the next three years? The answer lies in the hands of the very board members who applauded him just days ago.
Stay tuned, Birmingham! Whatever the outcome, one thing’s for sure— education in our city is on the move!
Author: STAFF HERE BIRMINGHAM WRITER
The BIRMINGHAM STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBirmingham.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Birmingham, Jefferson County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Sidewalk Film Festival, Sloss Music & Arts Festival, Magic City Classic, and civil rights commemorations. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Birmingham Business Alliance and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, plus leading businesses in healthcare, finance, and manufacturing that power the local economy such as UAB Medicine, Regions Bank, and Encompass Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREHuntsville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Alabama's dynamic landscape.
