MADISON – Robby Parker, currently Principal of Bob Jones High School, has been named Assistant Superintendent of Madison City Schools.

Madison Board of Education approved Parker’s appointment at its June 11 meeting.

Parker has worked in Madison schools for 26 years. For 11 years, he taught history and coached at Bob Jones. He transitioned into administration as assistant principal at Bob Jones for two years and then as principal of Discovery Middle School for three years.

Since 2005, Parker has been the well-liked and oft-quoted principal at Bob Jones. He served on numerous planning committees for opening of James Clemens High School.

“I never had a desire to move to a Central Office job or to another school. But the assistant superintendent position was one I coveted for this reason: It gives me an opportunity to be part of every child’s life in Madison once again, the way it was prior to the split with James Clemens, which was absolutely necessary,” Parker said.

Parker, 51, becomes the first assistant superintendent for the Madison district since now superintendent Dr. Dee Fowler served in that role with superintendent Dr. Henry Clark.

Parker’s honors include 2014 “Alabama PTA Principal of the Year” and the “Make a Difference Award” in 2014 from Alabama High School Athletic Association.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in education at Samford University, master’s degree in administration from the University of North Alabama and graduated from the University of Alabama Superintendent’s Academy in 2011.

His wife Anita works as a clerical aid at Discovery Middle School and was named “Staff Member of the Year” in 2012. The Parkers married in 1987 and briefly lived in Lexington, Ky. and St. Simon’s Island, Ga. before returning to North Alabama. Their sons are Tyson, 25, and Seth, 20.

“The Lord has blessed me to be part of Madison City Schools,” Robby Parker said. “Madison … is where my wife and I raised our family. We’re not just in ‘part’ of the community. We are ‘part’ of the whole community.”

Parker is a veteran triathlete.