Effective Sept. 1, Russellville High School will have a new principal: Dr. Jeremy Madden, a Russellville native and 1993 RHS graduate.

“I’m excited about having Dr. Madden serve in the capacity as RHS principal for our team,” said RCS Superintendent Dr. Heath Grimes. “The success he has had at Fayette County High School is impressive. They have been able to post some strong academic results there.”

Madden has been the principal at Fayette County High School in Fayette since 2011. Grimes said his 10-year of experience in the principal’s chair made him a strong candidate for the Russellville job.

“He also comes highly recommended by several state and local officials, members of our board and superintendent colleagues of mine,” Grimes added. “He is an RHS grad and has a lot of pride and respect for our school and community.”

The hire was approved during the Aug. 22 meeting of the Russellville City Schools Board of Education.

At the Board’s Aug. 9 meeting, then-RHS principal Dr. Jason Goodwin was promoted to an administrative role at the RCS Central Office, effective Sept. 1.

Madden began his college education at Northwest-Shoals Community then transferred to the University of North Alabama, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. He earned his master’s and education specialist degrees from UNA as well.

He then went on to the University of Alabama, where he completed his doctorate in 2015 and was part of the UA Superintendents Academy in 2019. Later that year, he completed the Educator Workforce Development Academy.

Madden was voted the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals District 7 South Principal of the Year that same year. He was also named a top three state finalist for AASSP Principal of the Year.

He was formerly an elementary teacher and assistant principal in the Fayette County School District and  has served as an adjunct professor for the College of Education at The University of Alabama.

He is married to the Dwan Smith Madden, and they have two boys, Logan, 19, and Luke, 15. Logan graduated from FCHS in 2021. He attends college at MUW and is on the school golf team.

“My wife Dwan and our family are very excited about this opportunity,” said Madden.

He said he has several goals as he takes the role.

“First, I want to continue to give you a high school you can be proud of, one that builds on the rich tradition this school has been recognized for throughout the years,” Madden said.

He also voiced a desire to “enhance community partnerships so as to allow for more student opportunities for success in college and the workforce.”

“Finally, I realize there are high expectations at RHS,” Madden added. “I want everyone to know that I have even higher ones, and I will put in the work every day to make RHS the best high school in the state in everything that we do.”