Longtime Oakdale Principal Retiring After Four Decades With TCS

TUSCALOOSA, AL — Longtime Oakdale Elementary School Principal Lucille Prewitt has announced she will retire after four decades with Tuscaloosa City Schools (TCS).

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The Tuscaloosa City Board of Education on Tuesday approved a list of personnel changes that included her retirement as the system's longest serving current principal.

Prewitt was hired by TCS in 1983 and taught at Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary for 16 years before becoming principal of Oakdale in 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."

Prewitt said it has been a privilege to build connections with parents, colleagues and the broader community. When considering her retirement, she also 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.

"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."

TCS Superintendent Mike Daria also had high praise for Prewitt's service.

"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."

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