WJRS News Begins Back-to-School Series with Russell County Schools Superintendent Michael Ford
Today, WJRS News begins the first in a multi-part series as we sit down with Russell County Schools Superintendent Michael Ford to discuss preparations for the upcoming 2026-2027 school year. Throughout the series, Ford will answer questions on a variety of topics, including back-to-school readiness, personnel and staffing, student success, school safety, and transportation.
With the first day of school for students on Wednesday, August 12th, now just over one month away, we asked Superintendent Ford what preparations are already underway across the district to ensure a smooth start to the new school year.
Construction and facility improvements continue across the district as well. The former bus garage and maintenance building have been demolished, with those areas being converted into additional parking for the First National Bank Athletic Complex. Ford also says new LED lighting has been installed in the Russell County High School gymnasium, noting the gym had “been too dark for too long.”
Ford says one of the district’s ongoing challenges remains finding qualified teachers and staff. He says despite the nationwide shortage of certified educators, administrators work hard to recruit and hire the best available candidates to serve Russell County students.
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Russell County Schools enrolled 3,024 students during the past school year. Ford says enrollment is expected to remain steady this fall, with the possibility of a slight increase.
Michael Ford is entering his 14th year as superintendent of the Russell County School System. He began serving in the position on July 1st, 2013, making him one of the longest-serving superintendents in the region. During its June 30th meeting, the Russell County Board of Education awarded Ford exemplary marks on his annual performance evaluation.
We’ll continue our conversation with Superintendent Michael Ford in the coming days here on WJRS News. In our next report, we’ll focus on school safety, security measures, and student transportation as Russell County Schools prepares to welcome students back to the classroom on August 12th.