Lankford leaves Alexander City schools to lead new district

PIKE ROAD, Ala. (AP) — The leader of an Alabama school district is leaving to take the same job in a different district.

Alexander City schools superintendent Dr. Keith Lankford has been named as the new superintendent of Pike Road schools in eastern Montgomery County.

The Pike Road School Board unanimously voted to hire Lankford as its third superintendent at a meeting last week, the board announced in a news release.

“After receiving the community feedback from the Board, I can’t wait to get started working on the work,” Lankford said in a statement. “Pike Road is a place where the community is engaged in their schools. The school system is a major reason people move to Pike Road. I am excited to partner with parents, students, educators, and community members to continue to grow Pike Road Schools into one of the top systems in the state.”

Lankford is currently superintendent of Alexander City schools. He and that district are working to determine the timing of his transition, The Montgomery Advertiser reported.

Lankford replaces Dr. Chuck Ledbetter who announced in January he was leaving Pike Road schools for the superintendent's post in Pelham at the end of the year. He's expected to remain in the Pike Road school system until June 1, the newspaper said.