The Jefferson County Commission opened its meeting Thursday by presenting a proclamation to Jefferson County School Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin for having been named Alabama/Schneider Electric 2025 Superintendent of the Year.

Gonsoulin received the award from the School Superintendents of Alabama during the SSA’s fall conference.
“One of the greatest responsibilities is shouldered by Dr. Walter Gonsoulin and that’s the education of our youth, because they are our future,” Commission President Jimmie Stephens said. “That’s the reason we work as hard as we do, and that’s the reason why we pledge to continue that and to do what’s right for the citizens of Jefferson County.”

The superintendent expressed gratitude to the commission, not just for the proclamation but also for standing with him and the school system in support of youth.

“I also want to say thank you to all of them for their unwavering support to Jefferson County Schools,” Gonsoulin said. “I can tell you guys that one of the things that we know that helps school systems to be successful is the support of the community.

“I have the cell phone numbers of all of these individuals,” the superintendent continued. “They attend meetings, symposiums, find out about the school district (and) they know the strategic plan. They are right there with us.”

Gonsoulin’s state superintendent of the year honor places him in contention for national superintendent of the year honors from the American Association of School Administrators. That selection will be announced at the 2025 AASA National Conference on Education on March 6-8, 2025, in New Orleans.