Montgomery Public Schools: A District on the Rise and a Workforce Future in the Making

December 12 — Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) is on a bold and forward-moving path, one that connects high-quality academics with workforce readiness, real-world learning, and long-term economic growth for the entire River Region.
 
Under the leadership of Superintendent Dr. Zickeyous Byrd, MPS is emerging as a statewide model for innovation and student success. The district’s progress is driven by a unified partnership among the Montgomery County Board of Education, county commissioners, city and state leaders, higher education, and the Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce, all aligned around a shared vision: preparing students for meaningful careers and strengthening Montgomery’s workforce pipeline.
 
“Montgomery, we are on the move, and we are just getting started.”
— Dr. Zickeyous Byrd, Superintendent
 
Connecting Students to Montgomery’s Economic Powerhouses
During the recent announcement, Anna Buckalew, speaking on behalf of the Montgomery Regional Chamber of Commerce and regional business community, emphasized the extraordinary economic opportunities surrounding Montgomery’s students—and the importance of intentionally connecting young people to those opportunities.
 
“If you draw concentric circles around where we are standing today, you will run into some of the greatest economic engines and opportunities in the state,” Buckalew said, pointing to the growing logistics corridor around the inland port, Maxwell Air Force Base and Air University, the 187th Fighter Wing’s F-35 mission, and major employers like Meta and Hyundai.
 
“Each of those companies or missions is like a power source in our community—fueling the economy and creating ripples of impact throughout our city and county, our state, nationally and globally,” she said. “Now imagine plugging every Montgomery Public School student directly into those power sources.”
 
That vision—connecting students to real-world careers, high-demand industries, and tangible pathways to success—is becoming reality through expanded dual enrollment opportunities and career-aligned partnerships.
 
A Game-Changing Partnership for Workforce Development
The Chamber applauds the partnership between Montgomery Public Schools, the Alabama Community College System, and Trenholm State Community College, which is expanding access to dual enrollment and creating direct, high-value career pathways for students.
 
“This is one of the most important investments we can make to change the trajectory of lives and fuel regional economic growth,” Buckalew noted.
 
Montgomery’s industries—from advanced manufacturing and healthcare to IT, logistics, and defense—are growing and need a steady pipeline of skilled talent. At the same time, too many students live just miles away from these opportunities without clear connections to how they can build a great life and create generational change for their families.

That is why collaboration matters.
 
The Chamber Stands Ready
On behalf of the Montgomery Regional Chamber, Buckalew expressed gratitude for the leadership of Chancellor Jimmy Baker, Dr. Kemba Chambers, and Dr. Byrd, and reaffirmed the Chamber’s commitment to bringing industry partners to the table.
 
“This kind of vision and collaboration is a gamechanger,” she said. “You have a partner in the business and elected community that is all in and ready to work.”
 
Montgomery Public Schools is not just educating students, it is helping shape the future workforce of the Capital City. With strong leadership, strategic partnerships, and sustained investment, MPS is proving that when education and economic development move forward together, the entire community rises.