MCBOE Selects New Special Education Director
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During a called meeting on Tuesday, June 30, the Montgomery County Board of Education (MCBOE) officially selected their new Special Education Director for the 2026/2027 school year.
Several months ago, former Montgomery County Schools Special Education Director Alicia Hartley announced her retirement from serving as the full-time Director, which was set to begin this month. However, Hartley tragically lost her life in a car accident in April, leaving Montgomery County Middle School Special Education Teacher Amber Reid to serve as the school’s interim Director, as the district searched for someone to permanently fill the role.
The Board met at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, June 30, to officially select an applicant to lead the district’s special education program, and after a short executive session, returned to vote on the position.
“A little while back, we posted an opening for a full-time Department of Exceptional Learning (Special Education) Director position, as you all are aware,” Superintendent Ronda Hightower told the Board. “After interviews, after much thought, after much prayer, after calling way more references than we ever have called with any other position, it is my recommendation that this full-time position be filled by Alicia Cindy Morris.”
Board Member John O’Conner made the motion to accept Morris’s hiring, and Board Member Susan Beard seconded the motion. The Board authorized the hiring on a unanimous vote.
Most recently, Morris has spent the last five years as a Special Education Supervisor for Georgia Cyber Academy, where she supported general education teachers and administrators in implementing instructional strategies to meet the needs of students with individualized education plans (IEPs), evaluated over forty special education staff members through classroom observation and feedback, facilitated IEP meetings, coordinated special education services with related service providers, and more.
Before serving as a supervisor, Morris spent one year as a Special Education Lead Teacher and one year as a Special Education Teacher at Georgia Cyber Academy. She worked as an independent contractor for several months with Allied Instructional Services in 2019, a math teacher at Jeff Davis County Schools from 2016-2019, a special education teacher at Jeff Davis County Schools from 2009-2016, a special education lead teacher/ deaf education teacher at Vidalia City Schools from 2001-2009, and a general education instructor at the Georgia Department of Corrections from 20002001.
Morris has a Master of Education degree in Moderate Disabilities from Cambridge College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Valdosta State University.
Morris immediately began the new role, as she is currently working to prepare for the upcoming school year.
“We welcome Mrs. Alicia Cindy Morris as the new Director for the Department of Exceptional Learners. Mrs. Morris brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to our team. She has previously served as a speech pathologist. Experienced speech pathologists know the vital importance of early literacy and this knowledge and experience will serve our students and teachers well,” Hightower commented. “Her 28 years of experience also includes special education teacher, deaf education teacher, mathematics instructor, independent contractor, lead special education teacher, assistant principal of special education, and special education supervisor.”
She continued, “It is evident she is not only very knowledgeable and has many certifications in special education, but also has a heart to strongly advocate for students with special needs. We are excited to have Mrs. Morris join the Eagle Family, confident that her passion and commitment will further enhance the support we provide to our precious children. We look forward to her leadership and the positive impact she will have on our community.”
