August 28, 2020:  Dr. Craig Pouncey was awarded the prestigious Dr. James A. Street Award. This award is typically presented during the Awards Luncheon of the CLAS Convention. Due to Covid-19, the Convention was held virtually, and the award was presented to Dr. Pouncey today.

Pouncey is set to begin serving as president of the Coastal Alabama Community College on October 1, 2020. Most recently, he served as the superintendent of the Jefferson County School System from July 2014 to September 2019. He led more than 36,000 students in 56 schools. Jefferson County Schools is the second largest school system in Alabama.

While at Jefferson County Schools, Pouncey is credited with the expansion of both dual enrollment and career technical programs in the area’s 13 high schools. His goal was to ensure pathways for students leading to high-demand skills.

Dr. Pouncey previously served as chief of staff for the Alabama State Department of Education and superintendent of Crenshaw County Schools. He earned his Ed.D. from Samford University. While at the ALSDE, his responsibilities included proper use and distribution of all state and federal funds for K-12, legislative liaison, and financial accountability.

The Dr. James A. Street Award is presented by the CLAS Board of Directors in recognition of exceptional service to Alabama public education. The award’s namesake, Dr. Street, was the first full-time executive director of the Alabama Council for School Administrators and Supervision (ACSAS), which is now CLAS. Dr. Street was a visionary leader who served in many capacities in public education in Alabama.

Recipients of this award may be an educator or layperson, a school system, or public or private institution or organization, profit or non-profit, that the CLAS Board of Directors considers worthy of such recognition. The James A. Street Award can be presented to a member or non-member for exceptional service or achievement that furthers the cause of public education and the interests of school administrators.

“I can’t think of a more worthy recipient of the Dr. James A. Street Award than Dr. Pouncey,” states CLAS Executive Director Dr. Vic Wilson. “He has achieved so much toward the advancement of public education in Alabama during his career in education administration.”

About CLAS: CLAS, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools was founded in 1969 by a small group of school leaders to provide targeted professional development and support for Alabama’s public school administrators.  CLAS now serves eleven affiliates representing each type of public school/school system leader.  CLAS provides the framework to connect dedicated school administrators and other successful leaders with a network for professional growth and support.  CLAS is the premier professional learning provider for administrators in public schools in the state of Alabama.

Photo: CLAS Executive Director Dr. Vic Wilson (left) presents Dr. Craig Pouncey (right) with the  Dr. James A. Street Award. DOWNLOAD PHOTO

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