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Russell County School District

Our Vision is to Inspire, Empower, and Educate with Excellence.

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A group of seven individuals, four women and three men, pose for a formal photo in front of a wall with a circular logo that reads 'RUSSELL COUNTY'.

Barbara Clark
36A Martin Drive 
Phenix City, AL 36869 
Represents: Place1/District 2: Ladonia

Barbara’s Bio

Barbara Clark is a proud 1979 graduate of Kendrick High School in Columbus, GA. She worked as an Instructional Assistant in the Computer Lab at Ladonia Elementary School for four years before transferring to Dixie Elementary School where she worked as an Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper for 21 years. She retired from Russell County in 2017.  Barbara was appointed as a member of the Russell County Board of Education in June 2021, after the resignation of long-time board member Dillie Elliott.   

Barbara has been happily married to Chris Clark, a 1979 Chavala graduate, since 1980. They have two sons, who graduated from Russell County High School, and four grandchildren. She is an active member of Crawford Baptist Church. Barbara enjoys scrapbooking and spending time with her grandchildren.

Patricia Smith

Vice-President

Kenneth Barnes
385 Bethel Rd.
Pittsview, Al 36871
Represents:  Place/District 4 – Hatchechubbee and Hurtsboro

Kenneth's Bio

Mr. Kenneth Barnes is a proud 1982 graduate of Russell County's then-Chavala High School.  He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Troy University.  He currently is a tenured teacher at a neighboring intermediate school.

Kenneth proudly served our country in the United States Army for 21 years.  At the time of retirement, Kenneth and his family relocated to his hometown in Russell County where both his became graduates of Russell County High School.

Kenneth and his wife Crystal actively work as Athletic Boosters for RCHS; they fill many roles in our school district.  He loves sports, singing and spending time with his family.

Meghan Catrett has lived in Crawford all her life. She attended Dixie Elementary, Russell County Junior High, and graduated from Russell County High in 2006. She has an associate's degree from Chattahoochee Valley Community College and works in healthcare. She and her husband, Allan, also a Russell County native, have been married 15 years. Their oldest son attends Russell County HIgh and is on the baseball team. Their youngest son attends Dixie Elementary and also plays baseball. 
She and her family are members of Grace Freewill Baptist Church in Phenix City and actively participate in the many festivities the Crawford Community offers. Meghan loves sports, especially her Florida State Seminoles. If you ask her what her greatest accomplishments are, she would say her relationship with God, her husband, and her sons.

John Keith Mitchell
60 Country Hill Ln.
Phenix City, Al 36869
Represents: Place2/District 2 – Ladonia

John's Bio

J. Keith Mitchell is a proud 1979 graduate of Chavala High School of Russell County, AL.  He attended some college at Chattahoochee Valley Community College (CVCC). In his professional career, Keith is a licensed plumber.  He is currently employed at Pratt & Whitney Engine Services.

In 1982, Keith became a member of RCBOE and has been elected to continue his service since that time. He is currently President of RCBOE.

Keith is married, and they have three (3) adult children. He enjoys outdoor activities and being a cattle farmer.  He is the owner/operator of Uchee Valley Angus.

Tim Simpson
641 Hwy 26
Hatchechubbee, AL 36858
Represents: Place/District 7, County At Large

Tim’s Bio

Tim Simpson is a 1978 graduate of Shelby County High School in Columbiana, AL.  He went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering from Auburn University. He currently owns his own Civil Engineering and Land Surveying Company known as Barrett-Simpson, Inc. with offices in Phenix City, Opelika and Eufaula, AL. Tim is a registered Engineer in four states and a registered land surveyor in three states. Tim proudly served his country in the United State Navy Reserve for 35 years and retired as a Navy Captain.  His wife Pam is a retired educator who was an Assistant Principal at Russell County High School and Principal at Ladonia Elementary School.  He is the Worship Leader at Hatchechubbee Baptist Church and is an active member in the Russell County Field Trial Association. Tim is the proud parent of two children and four grandchildren.  He is an avid fisherman and enjoys country living in Hatchechubbee in his free time.

Chelsea Smith