AAC Commissioner Tim Pernetti, Instructional Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon, Board President Sherman Collins and Vice President James Sullivan, Barrett Assistant Principal Byron Archibald and Teacher of the Year Kiara Lawson-Pierce, Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan, and BCS Textbook/Library Media Coordinator Christina Norman

American Conference Donates Over $50,000 to Barrett Elementary School

Birmingham City Schools

March 9, 2026

It’s March Madness in the college basketball world, but the first Cinderella story of the postseason centers on Barrett Elementary School. 

With the American Conference Men’s Basketball Championship taking place at Legacy Arena in Birmingham this week (where the UAB Blazers will compete as a #4 seed), representatives from the conference surprised teachers at the school with donations for classroom makeovers. 

First, American Conference Commissioner Tim Pernetti presented Kiara Lawson-Pierce, the school’s Teacher of the Year, with a $1000 check to makeover her classroom. 

surprise for Mrs. Lawson-Pierce

But he wasn’t done yet. He also presented Assistant Principal Byron Archibald with a check for $50,000 to upgrade the media center in the school’s library!

Mr. Archibald got a hug, too

Superintendent Dr. Mark Sullivan, Board President Sherman Collins, Board Vice President James Sullivan, and Instructional Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon were on hand for the surprise presentation.