Superintendent

Superintendent Dr. Karen Todd Pickles

After serving one-term as an elected-board member, Dr. Karen Todd Pickles was elected superintendent in November 2016 by the citizens of Madison County. An advocate for education, Pickles believes every child can succeed; you just have to find their passion.

Pickles oversees five public schools, two public charter schools, one alternative school, and two DJJ facility with approximately 2,675 students in rural Madison County. The District's annual budget for 2017-18 was more than $19 million. 

Under Pickles' leadership, changes were implemented to prevent losing the largest district's school, termed as a persistently low-performing school. to an outside agency. Hard work paid off and the school grade improved to a high C. Overall, the District earned a grade of B--a true testament to dedication and hard work. Pickles' latest focus has been a working partnership to establish a welding program on the high school campus to provide job skills for students upon graduation.

Before her election, Pickles served as an Assistant Professor at Valdosta State University in the Adult and Career Education Department. Pickles was also an educator with the Taylor County School District and North Florida Community College.

Pickles and her husband, Troy, have two children and four grandchildren.

A Message from your Superintendent

The mission of the District is to prepare students for college, career, and community (civic) life in the 21st century. Everything we do is aimed at ensuring that students graduate, and upon graduation are ready to thrive in the next steps of their lives. The District has many challenges, but the commitment to quality education is evident in each of our schools through our attention to the Five Essentials of School Success:

• Ambitious Instruction
• Effective Leadership
• Involved Families
• Supportive Environments
• Collaborative Teachers

The expectations for student achievement are deliberately high. A rigorous and engaging curriculum designed to maximize student achievement is in place at all grade levels. Students are not the only ones expected to perform at high levels. The District’s teachers and administrators have also committed to the mission of college, career, and civic readiness. Not only will students be prepared with a strong foundation in reading, writing, and mathematics. They will have ample opportunity to develop the skills necessary to prosper in a 21st century global economy. These skills include creativity, critical thinking, collaborative learning, and communication.

From Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12, students will engage in development and demonstration of these skills by solving problems, often in a collaborative fashion through project-based learning. They will have access to 21st century technologies and learn the skills necessary to utilize those technologies to the fullest. Here are some other opportunities for the students in our District:

• Advanced Placement Coursework (In middle school and high school)
• Dual Enrollment Coursework (beginning in high school)
• Career and Technical Education Programs
• Music and Art Education Programs at All Schools
• Virtual Learning Options (online and blended coursework at all grade levels)
• A Wide Variety of Athletic Programs (beginning in middle school)

Please visit our schools to see the dedication and commitment of teachers and students as we move forward in our efforts to ensure a quality education for our students.

Finally, if you are a parent, community member, volunteer, or student in our District, thank you! Our school community is only as strong as the dedication and commitment of all involved.

Sincerely,

Dr. Karen Pickles, Superintendent of Schools