Randy Wilkes of Luverne announced this week that he will be a candidate for the office of Superintendent, Crenshaw County Public Schools. Randy has spent the last six years employed as a supervisor for Crenshaw County Schools.

Presently he serves as the system’s coordinator of Special Education, Federal Programs, Teacher Certification and After School Programs. At age 28, Randy became principal of Highland Home School and served in that capacity from 1996 until 2003.

Prior to his administrative assignments, Randy taught applied physics and coached varsity football at Luverne School. He began his career in the Troy City Schools System teaching mathematics and coaching varsity football and girls’ basketball.

Combining his experiences as a teenager of working summers in a lunchroom with his adult experiences of driving a bus, adjunct teaching at area junior colleges, teaching in both the general curriculum and career technical classrooms, supervising Special Education, Federal Programs, writing competitive grants, managing and leading a unit school, and coaching both male and female athletic teams, Randy has developed a broad grasp of how Crenshaw County Public Schools must work for its people.

His experience, expertise, and genuine love for the students of Crenshaw County from all walks of life have established him as a well liked and respected educator at both the local and state levels.

Randy pledges to Crenshaw Countians to always: Keep God first in everything that he does, place the needs of children above others, provide a safe and orderly learning environment, maintain fair and equitable practices, and adhere to an open door policy.

Randy is very active both inside and outside of schools. He teaches the Median Adult Sunday School class, serves as deacon, is a member of the church choir, is President of the Luverne Kiwanis, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Crenshaw County Troy Alumni, Crenshaw County Community Education Advisory Council, and Crenshaw County Extension Advisory Committee. He is a member of the Luverne School’s Athletic Club and Dee Turner PTA.

Randy is married to Cathy Wilkes, a native of Luverne and a sixth grade classroom teacher at Luverne School. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel M. Carr of Luverne. Randy and Cathy have two children, Haden (18) who is a freshman at Troy University and Ryan (15) who is a tenth grader at Luverne School. 

Randy’s parents are Reverend and Mrs. Gerald R. Wilkes of Troy.  Randy, Cathy and the boys are members of Joquin Baptist Church. 

Randy will kick off the 2010 campaign by promoting his fight against childhood obesity with a run through Crenshaw County. This “Path to Wellness,” a near 40-mile jaunt, will begin at It Don’t Matter restaurant in Highland Home at 7 a.m. on January 30, 2010.

On the following Saturday, February 6, the jog will pick up 10 miles north of Luverne near Mount Pleasant Church of Christ and will end at Mattie’s restaurant.

On February 13, the run will continue south to Brantley’s Big Little Store. The final leg of the run will conclude on February 20 at Amazing Grace Café in Dozier. The expected arrival times will be 9:30 a.m., the exception being the initial run of January 30.

Because the treacherous trek of U.S. Highway 331, participation is discouraged, however, all are invited to meet us at the local restaurants for a healthy start to the day. In the event of inclement weather, start times will be moved to Sunday afternoon.

There will be a strategic planning meeting at the home of Randy Wilkes, 486 W. 6th Street, Luverne, on Thursday, February 18 at 6:30 p.m. All supporters are encouraged to attend.

For more information regarding Randy’s campaign please visit his website at http://rwilkes2010.com and join Randy’s Facebook group, Friends of Randy Wilkes for Superintendent.