Superintendent Julian Gray Prepares To Say Goodbye To Monroe Schools

After over thirty years in Monroe City schools, Julian Gray is saying goodbye. For the last year he's served as the Monroe’s Interim Superintendent in one of the most trying times in the board's history. Julian Gray is modest about his 39 years in education, 35 of them serving Monroe City schools. He says one of his biggest challenges was taking over as superintendent a year ago. That after board members paid Doctor James Dupree to leave and when some of the district's principals were in trouble for misusing school credit cards "Some of the problems were transparency, communication and morale,” said Julian Gray Board Vice President Rodney McFarland says gray is just what they needed to get back to putting education first "He brought the board so close together; we worked in unison under his leadership,” said McFarland. Gray is about to leave it all behind, but he says he's proud of how he leaves the school district. "That somebody cared about them, not only want to work with them but you care when they hurt you hurt,” said Gray. In 1971, Gray got his start in Monroe Schools after four years teaching in Ferriday. Gray says one of his fondest memories was at Carroll High School where he served as football and track coach and later principal for nearly a decade. Gray says he'll never forget the man who helped him get his break into administration as assistant principal at Wossman High School. He says that move propelled him to eventually lead Carroll....his alma mater. "Training and management style on how to deal with teachers and students I owe a lot of that to Grady Jones,” said Gray. As Gray prepares to leave he says incoming superintendent Dr. Kathleen Harris can pick up where he left off....trying to raise achievement especially in the middle grades. "So once they get to high school or junior high school , there's not a bottleneck of 9th grade dropouts,” said Gray. Gray spent only a year serving Monroe, but the school board wants to put his name on the wall of superintendents.....gray says that's a high honor. "So people will know that Julian Gray passed our way,” said McFarland. "My kids someday bring their kids or grandkids will look and see well pawpaw was on there,” said Gray. Gray’s last day as superintendent is July 15, after that Doctor Kathleen takes over Monroe Schools. Gray says he'll welcome her and help her transition to the district.