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The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education approved a list of personnel changes Tuesday that included the retirement of the system's longest serving current principal, Dr. Lucille Prewitt. Prewitt, principal of Oakdale Elementary, was hired by TCS in 1983, and taught at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary for 16 years. She has served as principal of Oakdale since 1999.

"Serving in TCS for the past 42 years and principal of Oakdale for the last 26 has been an immensely rewarding journey," Prewitt said. "At the heart of it all has been the joy of working with our children. Their boundless curiosity, energy, and potential have been a constant source of inspiration and motivation."

It has also been a privilege to build strong connections with parents, colleagues and the broader community, she added, because the collaborative spirit has enriched the school and also helped the students succeed.

"Throughout my time at Oakdale, I've had the opportunity to give a great deal, and in return, I've learned an immeasurable amount," Prewitt said. "Every day has brought new experiences, challenges, and growth opportunities, both professionally and personally. I am deeply grateful for the trust placed in me and for the collective efforts of everyone who has contributed to making Oakdale a place of learning, growth, and community."

The Tuscaloosa City Schools has benefitted profoundly from Prewitt's years of service, said Superintendent Mike Daria.

"Oakdale is what it is today, and has experienced the growth and progress that it has, because of Dr. Lucille Prewitt," Daria said. "We will forever be grateful to the dedication and love of education that she has shown to countless students and their families over the last four decades."

During retirement, Prewitt said she looks forward to relaxing, taking time for travel, giving her time to serving the community and possibly teaching future educators at the college level.