Current chair of the Autauga County Board of Education, Tracye Strichik, has announced her resignation. At the board’s July 15 meeting, Strichik announced that she would be stepping down to serve as the next executive director of VOICES for Alabama’s Children, a nonpartisan education advocacy group in the state.
Strichik has served as the District 1 representative for the ACBOE since 2022. According to Autauga County Schools, Strichik “was instrumental in passing student-first program and policy updates, stabilizing the district’s finances, providing stakeholder transparency, and guiding the district through a Superintendent transition, leading up to the hire of Lyman Woodfin in July 2023.”
“This has been an incredibly rewarding experience,” Strichik said during the July 15 board meeting. “Autauga County is home for me, so it has been my honor to work alongside such committed and passionate educators, administrators, and fellow board members. While I’m excited for this next chapter in my career, I will miss being part of what I believe is the best school system around, having the opportunity to shape the future of our community through educational initiatives.”
Autauga County Schools Superintendent Lyman Woodfin thanked Strichik for her service on the board.
“On behalf of Autauga County Schools, I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Tracye for her dedicated service and leadership on the school board,” said Woodfin. “As an educational giant in our community, her thoughtful decision-making, strong advocacy for students, and unwavering support for our teachers have made a lasting impact on me and all employees in our district.”
The ACBOE has appointed District 3 Representative Jamie Jackson to serve as the board’s new chairman as they begin accepting nominations to fill the now-empty District 1 seat. Candidates for the seat must be qualified voters and residents of both Autauga County and District 1.
Meanwhile, VOICES for Alabama’s Children celebrated their new executive director’s hiring in an official press release.
“After an extensive search process led by its board of directors, VOICES for Alabama’s Children is proud to announce that Dr. Tracye Cutts Strichik has been named the organization’s next Executive Director. A seasoned education leader and policy advocate, Dr. Strichik brings more than 25 years of experience in early childhood systems, public policy, and statewide coalition-building to the role,” the organization stated. “She succeeds Rhonda Mann, who will assist with the leadership transition before retiring from VOICES for a second time, having dedicated nearly 24 years of service and leadership, including her tenure guiding the organization’s public policy agenda and strengthening its data and research capacity.”
“We are grateful for Rhonda’s leadership throughout much of the organization’s history, particularly her guidance and wisdom during recent times of transition. While change is often difficult, we are confident that Tracye’s ambitious vision for the future and her passion for VOICES’ mission will continue to build on the organization’s success, leadership, and impact,” added Nicole Schroer, president of VOICES’ board of directors. “From the moment we sat down with Tracye, it was obvious she is the right person to lead VOICES into the future. She brings a wealth of legislative insight, impressive fundraising skills, and an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of Alabama’s children. Tracye not only met our high expectations on paper; she surpassed them in person.”
Strichik herself expressed gratitude and excitement about assuming her new role as VOICES’ executive director.
“As a longtime admirer of VOICES’ commitment to data-driven advocacy, I am honored to help lead its next chapter,” said Strichik. “Alabama’s children deserve every opportunity to thrive, and I’m excited to continue building bridges between research, policy, and practice that support their well-being.”
According to the organization, Strichik will be tasked with developing VOICES’ 2026 legislative policy agenda and collaborating with lawmakers, agency leaders and community stakeholders “to protect and strengthen the state’s most impactful investments in children.”
“With Dr. Strichik at its helm, VOICES is set to remain a leading force in championing the needs of Alabama’s children—leveraging data, fostering public dialogue, and advancing policy solutions that create stronger, more equitable outcomes for every child across the state,” the organization added. “This includes the annual publication of the Alabama Kids Count Data Book, the most trusted and comprehensive source of information on child well-being for Alabama and each of its 67 counties.”
Strichik will officially assume her new role as VOICES’ executive director starting August 1.
