By The Trussville Tribune staff reports
TRUSSVILLE — After serving 10 years on the Trussville City Schools board, Bill Roberts is leaving his post.
Roberts was appointed to the board in 2009. He served as president from 2010 to 2016. He was honored after the May 20, 2019, meeting.
Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill started the recognition ceremony with a thank you letter highlighting system accomplishments over the last 10 years. Neill spoke about her time working with Roberts since she was hired in 2012.
Bill Roberts stands with TCS Superintendent Dr. Pattie Neill
“With Mr. Roberts by my side as Board President, I felt like we were in a jet plane about to take off,” said Neill. “And we did! I learned quickly that the sky is the limit because we had employees with talent and a school board with expertise working under Mr. Roberts’ strong vision for excellence.”
Here is a list of notable accomplishments:
Trussville City Schools ranked #2 in Alabama on the 2018 state academic report card.
TCS athletics was named #1 Best High School for sports in Alabama by Niche.
TCS athletics has competed at the state championship in football, track, baseball, softball and girls basketball.
The Transportation Department receives regular Outstanding Bus Inspection Awards by ALSDE.
The school budget is balanced and the system has sufficient reserves.
The Alternative Learning Center provides appropriate measures for credit recovery.
TCS has zoned three elementary schools.
Construction of a new football stadium and track, Cahaba Elementary and Magnolia Elementary School was completed.
Paine Elementary renovations were completed and the system is adding a new wing to HTMS.
TCS received two state-level Attorney General Safe Schools Awards, 2016 at HTHS and 2018 at HTMS.
The TCS Special Olympics program was named Outstanding Special Olympics Program in Alabama in 2018.
TCS is recognized each year by the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) as one of the best communities for Music Education.
TCS audited needs in 2018 and hired a social worker for the first time.
Tax referendum passed for additional funding for the school system.
The school system said Roberts was instrumental in helping build and maintain good relationships with two mayors in Trussville and with many city councilmen over the past 10 years.
Mayor Buddy Choat sent a letter to Roberts:
“During your 10 years of serving on the BOE, you have guided our system to new heights,” Choat said in the letter. “TCS is recognized not only locally and on the state level to be one of great success, but others around the country have seen the results as well. Your leadership, presence, wisdom and love for our city and our schools has set the standard for others to follow.”
Joining Neill, School Board Attorney Donald Sweeney, Sandra Vernon, and the Board of Education for the celebration were city councilman Alan Taylor, State Representative Danny Garret, AD Lance Walker, head coaches Josh Floyd, Jeff Mauldin, Tonya Hunter, David Dobbs and Taylor Burt, CFO Jim Kirkland, Assistant Superintendent Mandi Logan, principals Joy Tyner, Tim Salem and Lisa Berry, former board member Sid McNeal, Baptist pastors Buddy Champion and Lance Pate, and a host of family and friends.
During the celebration, Roberts addressed the crowd. He thanked everyone who had helped him along the way and introduced his family members, including his wife of 62 years, Liz Roberts.
Bill Roberts takes the “Walk of Fame”
Bill Roberts then took a “Walk of Fame” at the board platform as the audience gave him a standing ovation.
