As I bring my 30-year career in public education to a close—a journey that has taken me from the classroom and the sidelines to the principal’s office and the superintendency—I do so with a heart full of gratitude and confidence in the future of Covington Independent Public Schools. I also want to extend my warmest congratulations and best wishes to my successor as she prepares to lead this incredible district on July 1.
Serving the Covington community for the past 13 years has been the greatest professional honor of my life. When I arrived in 2013, I was humbled to become the district’s first African American Superintendent. To retire now as the longest-serving African American superintendent in Kentucky history is a milestone I share with every student who ever wondered if their own dreams were possible. It was once mentioned to me by former superintendent Jack Moreland that I am the first Covington superintendent since the legendary Glenn O. Swing (1930s) to serve three terms. Carrying that torch alongside our dedicated leadership team has been a privilege I never took lightly.
Together, we didn’t just manage a district; we lived out a mission to help our students dream, achieve, and succeed. Even when faced with daunting financial and social hurdles, our progress remained steady. We saw advances take root in our elementary schools with literacy gains driven by the implementation of a districtwide curriculum, structured literacy training, and extended learning time. We also witnessed a historic transformation at Holmes High School.
When I first stepped into this role, Holmes was struggling through a revolving door of leadership and low performance. I made a personal commitment to change that narrative. By keeping our focus relentlessly on the students, we moved the needle. My strategy paid off: over the last three years, Holmes has achieved a remarkable average increase of 9 points per year on state testing. Most significantly, for the first time in history, we have officially moved the school out of the 'red'— the state’s lowest performance tier. The scores released in the fall show that Holmes is now performing at the 'yellow' level, placing us just one step away from the 'green' proficient status. I am incredibly proud to leave this district with Holmes High School on such an unprecedented upward trajectory. Go Bulldogs!
The district also expanded opportunity through strategic partnerships. Collaborations with Gateway Community and Technical College and Northern Kentucky University enabled Holmes students to earn college credit—and, for some, associate degrees—before graduating high school. These partnerships exemplify our commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success.
True equity has been the heartbeat of our work. We didn’t just talk about closing gaps; we launched data-driven initiatives that reduced behavioral referrals by 65%, keeping our children in the classroom where they belong. We modernized our buildings, put technology in the hands of students, and through Covington Connect, ensured that learning didn’t stop at the schoolhouse door.
We also took care of the people who make this magic happen. Through careful fiscal stewardship, we were able to lower local tax rates while still providing our hardworking teachers and staff with salary increases totaling more than 20% over the last five years.
None of these milestones belong to me alone. They belong to the teachers who go the extra mile, the families who trust us with their children, and most of all, the resilient students of Covington.
As I look back on this journey, I am reminded that a leader’s greatest legacy isn't found in buildings or spreadsheets, but in the expanded horizons of the children we serve. It has been the privilege of a lifetime to help clear the path for the next generation of Covington dreamers. I look forward to cheering on Covington’s continued success. I will always be a Bulldog at heart.
Respectfully,
Alvin L. Garrison
Superintendent
Covington Independent Public Schools