Opelika City Schools is proud to announce that two of its principals have been recognized with top leadership honors by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS).

Kelli Fischer, Principal of Opelika High School, has been named the District 4 Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP) High School Principal of the Year, while Kristen Williams, Principal of Opelika Middle School, has been named the District 4 Alabama Association of Middle School Principals (AAMSP) Middle School Principal of the Year. The awards were presented on Tuesday, September 30, 2025.

These recognitions celebrate outstanding leadership, dedication to student success, and a commitment to educational excellence.

Fischer, who has served as principal of Opelika High School since 2023, has dedicated 15 years to education and has been a part of Opelika City Schools since 2016. A graduate of Auburn University and Troy University, she is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in Educational Leadership at Auburn. Williams, in her second year as principal of Opelika Middle School, brings 16 years of experience in education, including seven years as a teacher at Opelika High School.

Their selection as CLAS AASSP and AAMSP District 4 Principals of the Year reflects both their individual achievements and the strong educational leadership found within Opelika City Schools.