[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 140 (Thursday, October 1, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2412]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




HONORING MARILYN M. MATHIS FOR HER SERVICE TO MURFREESBORO CITY SCHOOLS

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. BART GORDON

                              of tennessee

                    in the house of representatives

                     Wednesday, September 30, 2009

  Mr. GORDON of Tennessee. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor Marilyn 
M. Mathis who is leaving Murfreesboro City Schools after 26 years of 
service to pursue a new phase in her distinguished career.
  Marilyn joined City Schools in 1983 as the Assistant Superintendent 
for Administration under the leadership of School Director Dr. John 
Hodge Jones. After Dr. Jones' retirement in 1997, Marilyn was appointed 
Director of Schools.
  During her 26 year tenure, Marilyn has seen the City School's student 
population nearly doubled. As Director, she has been influential in 
improving City Schools over the last 12 years.
  Marilyn was determined to live up to the standards set by the No 
Child Left Behind Act and strived to make City Schools one of the top 
school districts in the state of Tennessee. She led the system by its 
mission statement: ``to assure academic and personal success for each 
child.''
  Under Marilyn's leadership, City Schools added three new schools 
including the Bellwood-Bowdoin Preschool for more than 400 at-risk 
preschool students, and the opening of Scales and John Pittard 
Elementary Schools. She also established Bradley Academy as ``An Arts 
Integrated School,'' the Discovery School for high achieving students 
at Reeves-Roger, and named Hobgood Elementary as a NASA Explorer 
School.
  Marilyn also supported and participated in a public education 
foundation for Murfreesboro City Schools and created a partnership 
agreement with Middle Tennessee State University located in 
Murfreesboro.
  Her legacy to City Schools will live on for years to come, and the 
students of Murfreesboro are better prepared for the future because of 
her hard work and dedication.
  Thank you Marilyn. I wish you the best of luck in your new position 
as Executive Director of the Association for Independent and Municipal 
Schools.

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