Brooks sworn in for second term as superintendent

By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE

Four years and two days after taking office as the superintendent of Shelby County Schools, Lewis Brooks was sworn in for his second term on Jan. 5. His four year term will go through 2026.

Shelby County Probate Judge Allison Boyd performed the ceremony, as Brooks placed his hand on his grandmother's bible from 1929 with his wife Reisa by his side, as other family members, including his son, mother and brother, looked on.

Board President David Bobo said that the school system is blessed to have Brooks as its leader.

"He means so much to us and is a great leader for our school system and we're excited for another term," Bobo said.

After the ceremony, 280 Living spoke to Brooks, who said he is looking forward to a second term serving the students, parents and communities of Shelby County.

"This is a great team of teachers and leaders that I work with, I'm very honored and blessed to be able to serve again," he said. "I'm looking forward to it and am really energized by the opportunity."

As for plans for his second term, Brooks said the school system is preparing to launch a new strategic plan. Meetings will be held soon with parents, community members and teachers to obtain their opinions.

"We are really pushing innovation, trying to institute innovative programs, whether they be technology programs or career tech programs," Brooks said.

A new partnership will be launched between Shelby County Schools and the University of Montevallo for dual enrollment courses.

"We're looking at innovative programs throughout the district and looking at how we change learning environments," he said. "We are really focusing on building this culture of organizational commitment, where our community members and our teachers understand that they have a commitment to us and that we as a district have a commitment to them.”

Another outreach opportunity Brooks will continue is his podcast, "One on One with Dr. Brooks," in which he interviews students from schools throughout the county.

Newly elected board members Amber Polk and Brian Boatman took part in their first meeting after their swearing in, which took place in December. Brooks said he is excited to work with them and believes they will do a great job.

Indian Springs opens new community commons

Indian Springs School was joined by representatives from Lake Flato Architects, Architecture Works, BL Harbert International, and Indian Springs Village, as well as former Head of School Gareth Vaughn, to commemorate the completion of the Kayser-Samford Community Commons with a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony on Dec. 9.

The Kayser-Samford Community Commons serves as the school’s new social hub and dining hall. It is located on the site of the school’s original dining hall, overlooking the campus lake. The facility provides indoor and outdoor seating for the school’s 325 day and boarding students, faculty, staff, and guests to gather and eat. New serving stations feature a variety of meal options prepared in a stateof-the-art kitchen. The facility also provides a private dining space for meetings and events and a lakeside venue for recreation.

“This is a momentous occasion and an exciting new chapter in the life of the school,” says Head of School Scott Schamberger. “This facility will give the next generation of our students a place to build enduring relationships and develop lifelong friendships.”

Construction on the 12,000-square-foot building began in November 2021. The project's funding was led by Indian Springs alum benefactor Leo Kayser III ’62, for whom the building is named, alongside Kayser’s late classmate and fellow board member, Frank Samford III ’62. Nearly 150 other donors have contributed to the school’s historic capital campaign.

“The new Kayser-Samford Community Commons is the result of the work and investment of many people from many places and different backgrounds, who share the ideal the Indian Springs should be a community that gathers around tables to enjoy and learn from one another,” says Board Chair Elizabeth Goodrich P ’20, ’23.

– Submitted by Indian Springs School.