SYLACAUGA, Ala. – Dr. Paula Bruno has been named interim principal of Sylacauga High School for the 2026-27 school year, following approval by the Sylacauga Board of Education during its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening, July 21.
Bruno will assume the role Aug. 1, succeeding longtime educator and administrator Gary Rivers, who is retiring after 27 years of service with Sylacauga City Schools.
Most recently, Dr. Bruno has served as principal of Indian Valley Elementary School since 2019. She previously worked as assistant principal at Nichols-Lawson Middle School and taught at both Pinecrest Elementary School and Indian Valley Elementary School.
Her appointment continues a professional path closely tied to Rivers, whom she credits with helping launch her administrative career. Bruno served under Rivers while assistant principal at Nichols-Lawson Middle School, beginning a mentorship that has continued throughout her career.
“Dr. Bruno brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her new role as principal of Sylacauga High School,” Superintendent Dr. Michele Eller said in a statement. “She began her administrative career at Nichols-Lawson Middle School under Mr. Rivers and it seems only fitting that she be the one to succeed him.”
To help ensure a smooth transition, Rivers will remain with the system in a mentoring capacity during August.
The leadership change comes as Sylacauga City Schools continues a string of statewide recognitions. Earlier this year, Sylacauga High School received the 2026 Gene Bottoms Pacesetter Award from the Southern Regional Education Board, becoming the only high school honored with the award this year. Bruno and her team at Indian Valley Elementary earned the same distinction in 2025, while the school district received the award in 2024.
Rivers’ career has included service as a special education teacher and administrator at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. During his tenure, Nichols-Lawson Middle School, Pinecrest Elementary School, and Sylacauga High School all earned CLAS Banner School of Distinction honors.
School officials credited Rivers with implementing data-driven instructional strategies that improved academic performance and school rankings at each campus he led. His work also focused on reducing disciplinary referrals, increasing student attendance, and strengthening academic rigor through strategic scheduling.
Among his honors, Rivers received the Alabama Attorney General Safe Schools Award in 2006, 2017, and 2018.
District leaders expressed gratitude for Rivers’ decades of service and said his influence will continue through the educators and students he impacted throughout his career.
