Muscle Shoals City Schools
May 2025
Important Dates Ahead
End of the 2024-2025 School Year
Thursday, May 22, 7:30 p.m. - GRADUATION - James F. Moore Stadium
Beginning of the 2025-2026 School Year
Tuesday, August 5, - SCHOOLS OPEN FOR STUDENTS
**Elementary Schools will have a staggered start - more info to come!!**
Community Showed Great Love During Teacher Appreciation
Here are just a few pics from across the district during Teacher Appreciation Week! Prepare to be hungry as you see all of the excitement and outpouring of love.
HPE's Deidra Brewer Honored with 15 Other Alabama Teachers
Deidra Brewer, the Library Media Specialist for Highland Park and Webster Elementary Schools in Muscle Shoals was name the District 7 Elementary Teacher of the Year.
The 16 finalists for the annual award were selected from among 155 educators across the state recommended by district superintendents, principals, colleagues and more.
Pictured above: State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey, Mrs. Brewer, Dr. Holden, and State Board Member Dr. Allen Long at the Montgomery ceremony
Adams to join MSCS Accounting Office
Summer Reading "Work Out" Tips!
MSCS Bids Farewell to 32 Retiring Employees
Survivor Game Brings Fun Twist to Teacher Appreciation
Muscle Shoals Middle School added a twist to Teacher Appreciation Week that brought the entire school together - staff and students alike - with a fun, interactive, and even mischievous at times game of Survivor! Daily challenges were the heart of the game because they were off-the-wall, interactive, and often heartfelt. Everyone who participated seemed to have a great time with the spirited competition and opportunity to grow closer together as a staff.
School Culture is an investment.
You get out of it what you put into it.
Rinks Named Principal/Director of Career Academy
The Muscle Shoals Board of Education has appointed Mr. Layne Rinks as the next Principal and Director of Career Technical Education (CTE) at Muscle Shoals Career Academy (MSCA). Rinks will officially assume the role on July 1, following the retirements of current principal Jeff Madden and CTE director Dennis Conner.
A native of Florence, Alabama, Mr. Rinks brings a wealth of experience in education and leadership to Muscle Shoals. He previously served as Assistant Principal and CTE Director for Florence City Schools and currently works as Athletic Director for Madison City Schools. His background also includes teaching social studies and AP Computer Science, as well as coaching at the secondary level.
“When I met with the MSCA faculty, they told me they wanted a visionary CTE leader who would continue to build upon the positive culture that Jeff Madden and Dennis Conner helped establish,” said Muscle Shoals City Schools Superintendent Chad Holden. “Layne has been in the CTE trenches, launched new and innovative programs, and has the fire to take our CTE programs to the next level.”
The Muscle Shoals Career Academy continues to expand its offerings and prepare students for success in both college and career paths. With Mr. Rinks at the helm, the district looks forward to continued growth and innovation in CTE programming.
Kindergarten Robotics
Click the PDF above to see more of the Owls and their Robotics Experiences!
MSCS Students Recognized for Character in Action
Children's Policy Council
"We were delighted to host a packed audience at our Spring 2025 Character In Action Ceremony, celebrating 16 remarkable students from Colbert County's four school districts for their exceptional character and leadership in the classroom. This ceremony is a cherished tradition each semester, made possible through the efforts of families, school administrators, Judge Chad Smith and Dr. Denise Woods, whose leadership is invaluable to us."
Jacquess Greene, 6A Boys Long Jump State Champion
Congratulations to Jaquess Greene, our 6A Boys Long Jump State Champion! With a winning jump of 24-7.25 he soared above the competition and brought home the title!
"His hard work, dedication, and explosive talent have made us all proud. Muscle Shoals Track & Field is on the map thanks to his incredible performance," says Coach Catrina Smith.
McCabe Selected for U.S. Naval Academy
Congratulations to these students! Among them is our own, Natalie McCabe!
Academy: United States Naval Academy
School: Muscle Shoals High School
Parents: Trip and Jill McCabe
Drug Abuse Resistance Education
Congratulations to our 5th graders on their DARE graduation! A big thank you to Officer Kelley and the Muscle Shoals Police Department, including Chief Reck, for their support. We’re proud of our students and grateful for our community partnership!
King, Wood Elected Board Officers for 2025-2026
At the May 20 Annual Meeting of the Board of Education, Cory King was elected President and Clayton Wood was elected Vice President. The new officers will assume their roles at the regular monthly meeting in June.
Cory King
President-elect
Board Officers
2025-2026
Clayton Wood
Vice President-elect
Board of Education Meeting Schedule
Meetings of the Board of Education are held immediately following a 5:30 p.m. work session at the Office Building of the Superintendent of Education, 3200 S. Wilson Dam Road, Muscle Shoals, Alabama unless otherwise publicly announced.
Upcoming Meetings
June 24, 2025
July 22, 2025
August 26, 2025----------Budget Hearing #1
September 11, 2025----Budget Hearing #2
October 28, 2025
November 18, 2025
December 16, 2025
January 27, 2026
February 24, 2026
March 17, 2026
April 21, 2026A
May 19, 2026---------------Annual Meeting
We have heroes among us, and they are cooking!!!
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Donates Books
Howell Graves says, "Thank you to the @Muscle Shoals Area Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated for giving each student a book with their annual Book-Give-Away. We sincerely appreciate your support."
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in Alabama
All children under five are now eligible to enroll, thanks to our wonderful Local Program Partners and supporters!
Read more and enroll your child today: https://imaginationlibrary.com/alabama/
Halcyon Hearts from MSHS Band Spring Concert
Mrs. Hood says, "The piece is based off of the passage from 1 Corinthians 13: 'Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It will always protect, trust, hope, and persevere for you. Love never fails.'"
‘The sky is not the limit’: Shoals local lands helicopter at MSCA
By Aria Pons, WAFF 48
A Muscle Shoals National Guard Captain and her unit made a special landing Friday.
Kayla Freeman and her unit landed right beside Muscle Shoals Career Academy on Friday morning to showcase their Chinook helicopter to awaiting students and community members. Freeman is a pilot.
Freeman’s mother said Freeman achieved a significant milestone in 2018 as the first African American female pilot in the Alabama National Guard and the second female airman from Tuskegee University.
There was a crowd waiting to welcome her home. Kayla Freeman is from Muscle Shoals and went to school at Deshler. Now, she is the commander of her own unit, which she calls her family.
Click the link below to watch the news segment.
2025-2026 Calendar Approved by BOE
Dr. Chad Holden, Superintendent
Email: cholden@mscs.k12.al.us
Website: www.mscs.k12.al.us
Location: 3200 South Wilson Dam Road, Muscle Shoals, AL, USA
Phone: 256-389-2600
Twitter: @MSCSTrojans
