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Jim Arnold is a product of public education. A native of Sunflower County MS, he graduated
from Provine HS in Jackson MS in 1970, Ole Miss in 1974 with a Bachelors Degree in Music
Education, Ole Miss again with a Masters in Music in 1977 and the University of Alabama in
1993 with an Ed. D in Secondary Education. He served Lamar County AL as band director
grades 6-12 from 1974–1991 and moved to Columbus GA as Director of Bands at Columbus
HS in 1991. After the CHS band grew from 27 members to 225 in 1995, he was named
Assistant Principal at Shaw HS, Principal at Shaw in 2001 and Superintendent of Pelham City
Schools in 2010. He is a published author, has written 7 children’s books and contributes
regularly to the Atlanta Journal and Washington Post on educational matters. Dr. Arnold is
married to Betsy Arnold from Atlanta. Sons Matt and Daniel live in Columbus along with two
wonderful and gifted grandchildren Austin and Justin.
Dr. Arnold is pictured in the top row, (3rd from left).
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