Etowah County Board of Education Accepts Dr. Alan Cosby’s Retirement

GADSDEN, Ala. — The Etowah County Board of Education voted Tuesday night to accept the retirement of Superintendent Dr. Alan Cosby, who will retire effective Aug. 1, 2026.

Dr. Cosby has served as superintendent of Etowah County Schools since March 2010, following 17 years of prior service in the district. His retirement will mark more than three decades of service to the Etowah County school system.

WEIS Radio spoke with Dr, Cosby following the approval, and he said:

Well obviously I’ve announced my retirement effective August the first, but I do want to work with the board through the transition time, because this school system has been really great to me over the past 33 years, and certainly the last 16 as superintendent.

So I am going to aid the board and the school system in the transition any way that I can, because I love this school system, our employees, and our students. Everyone. It’s a team effort here.

I just want to see that the transition is as smooth as possible and that the school system, hopefully, is a little bit better placed than when I got it. I want it to be better when someone else gets it. And so, you know, we just want to always have progression.

Because Etowah County means a lot to me, and the school system certainly means a lot to me. And so this board has been great to me for the past 16 years, and I want to continue to work with them. And then even post retirement, I’m still going to be pulling for the Etowah County Board of Education.

Because it’s a great place to work, and it’s a great place to be, and I’ve got all my life tied up here. And so I’m very fortunate and able to have been able to do what I’ve done for the last 33 years in this system.

With Dr. Cosby’s upcoming retirement, the board will officially post the position of Superintendent of Schools and will begin the search for his successor. In a statement announcing the transition, Board President Jay Freeman emphasized the board’s commitment to a thorough and transparent selection process.

” The Etowah County Board of Education has officially posted the position of Superintendent of Schools and will begin a comprehensive search process to identify the next leader of the Etowah County School System. We want to assure the communities we serve that the Board is committed to conducting a thoughtful, transparent, and thorough search to identify the best candidate and the right fit for our students, staff, and community.

Current Superintendent Dr. Cosby has announced plans to retire effective August 1, 2026. The Etowah County Board of Education appreciates Dr. Cosby’s leadership over the past 16 years and recognizes the lasting impact he has made across our school system.

“Dr. Cosby has provided steady and thoughtful leadership to Etowah County Schools for more than 16 years,” said Jay Freeman, President of the Etowah County Board of Education. “He genuinely cares about our students, our teachers, and the families who trust us with their children each day. Under his leadership, our schools have stayed focused on doing what matters most, helping students succeed in a safe and supportive environment. He understands that our schools are the heart of our communities, and he has worked hard to strengthen that connection. Dr. Cosby has led with integrity and a servant’s heart, always putting students first. His impact will be felt in our schools and throughout our county for many years to come.”

The Board is grateful for his service, his vision for our schools, and his unwavering commitment to student success. We are taking proactive steps to ensure a smooth and successful transition as we prepare for the next chapter of leadership in Etowah County.

This search will be guided by the mission of Etowah County Schools:

“Etowah County Schools provide a rigorous, relevant education in a safe, student-centered environment that produces college- and career-ready graduates who contribute responsibly in a global community.”

Key aspects of our mission and vision include providing a safe, supportive, and student-centered environment; developing graduates who are academically, technologically, and socially prepared; embracing our vision of “Building the Foundation Today for Tomorrow: Empowering, Challenging, Succeeding”; and fostering strong partnerships among home, community, and school.

The Board will seek a superintendent who is aligned with this mission, values strong leadership, prioritizes student success and safety, and shares a clear vision for the future of education in Etowah County. Additional information regarding the search process will be shared as it becomes available.”

The superintendent position will remain posted for 30 days beginning March 3, 2026. All application materials must be received no later than 4 p.m. on April 2, 2026. Applicants are responsible for verifying the timely receipt of all required materials.

Applications may be submitted by mail to TURNBACH, WARREN, RICE, FREDERICK, & SMITH, P.C., Attention: ECBOE, 200 Chestnut Street, Gadsden, AL 35901, or hand-delivered to the same address. The firm can be reached at (256) 543-3664.

Questions regarding the position may be directed to Jay Freeman, Board President, at jay_freeman@ecboe.org.