Orange Beach, AL. — (GSN) — Orange Beach City Schools Superintendent Randy Wilkes has announced that the current school year will be his last, bringing a close to his foundational tenure as the district's inaugural leader. Taking the helm in the summer of 2022, Wilkes led the system from its initial separation from the county through a period of rapid academic and operational expansion.

The creation of Orange Beach City Schools stands as one of the fastest school system transitions in Alabama history:

• March 15, 2022: The Orange Beach City Council voted to break away from the Baldwin County Public School System.
• April–May 2022: The city appointed its first local Board of Education on April 5 and finalized a separation agreement with Baldwin County on May 23.
• June 2022: The school board unanimously hired Randy Wilkes as the district’s first superintendent following an extensive search.
• July 1, 2022: The district officially assumed control of local schools, leaving Wilkes with just 41 days to establish operations, hire personnel, and prepare for the opening day of classes.

Academic Performance & State Rankings

Under Wilkes’ leadership, Orange Beach City Schools quickly rose to become one of Alabama's top-performing public school systems:

• #2 District Ranking Statewide: On the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) State Report Card, the district achieved an overall score of 98, placing it second out of 149 public school systems statewide. This surpassed the district's initial strategic goal of entering the top ten within four years.
• Elementary Excellence: Orange Beach Elementary School earned a state report card score of 99, placing it among the top 25 public schools in Alabama and affirming its status as a National Blue Ribbon School. OBES also made history as the only school in Alabama where 100% of third-grade students read at or above grade level for two consecutive years.
• Subject-Level Rankings: The district ranked 1st in Alabama for Science proficiency, 2nd in Mathematics, and 4th in English Language Arts on state ACAP assessments.
• Secondary Milestones: Orange Beach High School recorded back-to-back 100% state-recognized graduation rates and a 100% College and Career Readiness (CCR) credentialing rate. Junior ACT composite scores rose steadily to 20.6, while Advanced Placement (AP) exam participation tripled, earning the school silver-level standing.

Athletics, Arts, and Financial Stability

• Athletics & Fine Arts: Orange Beach High School teams captured multiple state championships, including consecutive titles in cheerleading and softball, with the softball program securing a No. 1 national ranking among small-town high schools from MaxPreps. Fine arts programs also expanded, with the marching band growing significantly and launching the inaugural "Sounds of the Island" band festival.
• Fiscal Health: The district built its operating reserves from just over two months in 2023 to more than eight months ($16 million+) by 2026. Additionally, the community-driven MAC sponsorship program raised over $1 million in its inaugural year to support academics, athletics, and arts.

Superintendent Wilkes noted that while he is stepping down from his administrative post, he plans to stay in the local community to spend more time with his family. He leaves behind a school district with strong academic momentum, stable financial reserves, and an established culture of high performance.