August 17, 2023

(Hoover, AL) - The Hoover City Schools District is thrilled to announce the Hoover Board of Education’s (HBOE) unanimous appointment of Dr. Kevin Maddox as the new superintendent of education. During a special called meeting on Thursday, August 17, 2023, HBOE announced Dr. Maddox as the successor to Dr. Dee O. Fowler, who is retiring. 

Dr. Maddox is the assistant superintendent of Homewood City Schools with 29 years of experience as an educator and 20 of those years as an administrator. His professional journey has been marked by a commitment to investing in staff members, coordinating hiring processes, leading strategic planning teams, and engaging with stakeholders on various topics and issues. As assistant superintendent of Homewood City Schools since 2012, he’s led comprehensive facility improvement strategies, maintained partnerships with city departments, and provided oversight for new construction and facility improvements.

Dr. Maddox said, “Hoover City Schools is an amazing school system with high academic expectations, extracurricular successes, and dedicated employees. I am extremely humbled and excited to serve the Hoover community, and I look forward to working alongside the administrators, teachers, staff, and families of Hoover.” 

Maddox, a student-centered educator with a wide range of leadership skills, will take the helm of the District, bringing his extensive experience in human resources, capital improvement projects, budget management, and organizational climate improvement. 

President Kermit Kendrick said, "Our vetting process has been both exhaustive and effective in identifying a number of exceptionally well-qualified career educators who could serve ably in the position. Our task is not simply to select a well-qualified leader but one whose educational philosophy, experience, and temperament will further elevate the already high standard of educational achievement that has been the hallmark of Hoover City Schools and who will work tirelessly to ensure all Hoover students have the opportunity to reap the rewards of our continued progress."

A graduate of Samford University with a Doctorate in Educational Leadership, Dr. Maddox has also served as an adjunct professor in educational leadership since 2017. His previous roles include principal at Homewood Middle and High Schools and Winterboro/Childersburg High School, where he cultivated trusting relationships with students, parents, and staff members and implemented innovative programs to raise student achievement.

“I believe an effective leader must remain positive, trustworthy, and approachable. I maintain an open-door policy where people feel comfortable talking about difficult issues. I support a collaborative leadership model where stakeholders are strategically involved in the decision-making process,” said Dr. Maddox.

The superintendent search began on July 12, and the HBOE worked with its law firm, Bishop, Colvin, Johnson & Kent, LLC, to search for and interview qualified candidates. Board members say its law firm identified several excellent candidates capable of leading the District. The Board considered seven (7) candidates for the position, and each Board member independently came to the same conclusion that Dr. Maddox was the person to lead the school system into the future. 

President Kendrick said, “If you look at what Dr. Maddox has done at Homewood, there’s been no job he has not done for that school district. He was a high school principal and middle school principal. He’s very familiar with finance, and he’s familiar with facilities. He’s very familiar with human resources, and we feel like he is a good fit for Hoover City Schools. If you follow the Niche reports, Homewood, over the last five years, has consistently been the number two or three school district in the state of Alabama. We’re a top-five district, and we’re proud of where we are, but we want to continue to get better, and we believe that Dr. Maddox is the person who can get us to that next level.”

HBOE Vice President Alan J. Paquette says he saw lots of energy in Dr. Maddox and was pleased with the exciting vision he shared for the District. Paquette believes the Board will see Dr. Maddox build on Dr. Fowler’s successes when he takes the reins of the school system. 

Vice President Paquette said, “This process was very professionally handled by all involved.  I was especially grateful for the three senior board members (Mrs. Tosney, Mr. Kelley, and Mr. Kendrick) who used their past experience in selecting a superintendent to make this process work so well. It was thorough and precise, and I believe we came to the right decision for the District’s future.”

Dr. Fowler’s retirement is effective on September 30, and he will work as a consultant until his retirement date to assist with Dr. Maddox’s transition into his role. 

Dr. Fowler says he’s leaving the District in a good place and looks forward to seeing more accomplishments and milestones. Dr. Fowler emphasized the importance of focusing on and improving academics during his tenure. Under his leadership, each school in the Hoover City Schools District received a state grade of "A" for the first time. Additionally, during his tenure, the District achieved the highest number of National Merit finalists and semi-finalists ever, the highest graduation rate ever, the highest percent of graduates with college and career-ready indicators ever, the smallest racial achievement gap ever, and the smallest poverty achievement gap ever.  

Reading scores are now back to pre-pandemic levels & math scores increased by 13%. A national study conducted by Stanford and Harvard Universities recognized the District for overall positive academic outcomes in math and reading and substantial learning gains for students in poverty, black students, and Hispanic students.

“I do not have the words to adequately express my personal and professional gratitude for the opportunity to serve as superintendent of Hoover City Schools. The Board and the Hoover community have welcomed Marcia and me. Leaving is bittersweet. Hoover is truly a wonderful place to live and work,” said Dr. Fowler.