CULLMAN, Ala. – After taking the Cold Springs Lady Eagles to the Final Four in her first year as head basketball coach, Paige Adams abruptly resigned Wednesday, March 25, at a special-called meeting of the Cullman County School Board. The matter is now in the hands of authorities.
“The Cullman County Board of Education, at a special-called meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, accepted and approved the resignation of Paige Adams, who was employed at Cold Springs High School,” Cullman County Schools said in a statement after the meeting.
Amid speculation, CCBOE Superintendent, Dr. Shane Barnette released the following statement Thursday afternoon, March 26:
“This is the first formal complaint I have received regarding this employee. As soon as the concern was brought forward, an investigation was immediately initiated. The employee chose to resign at that time. In accordance with standard procedure, all CCBOE materials were returned, and she was escorted from school property. The matter has been referred to the appropriate authorities, and I promptly called a board meeting to approve her resignation. Our sole focus is protecting the students of Cullman County Schools. We are going to do what is right, as we always have.”
Barnette told The Tribune the situation developed after concerns were brought forward, prompting an immediate response from the school system.
“When suspicions arose, we began an internal investigation, and the teacher resigned,” Barnette said. “At that point, the matter was turned over to authorities.”
Barnette said the resignation occurred while the school system was still in the process of reviewing the situation internally.
“We were in the process of investigating when she chose to resign,” Barnette said.
He said there was no confrontation when Adams left the school.
“There was no argument or altercation,” Barnette said. “She was aware that the investigation was continuing.”
Following the resignation, Barnette said, standard procedures were followed to ensure Adams no longer has access to school property.
“When any employee resigns, they are required to turn in all school property, including badges, keys and access materials,” Barnette said. “She no longer has access to any school facilities.”
Questions were also raised about Adams’ spouse, who is also employed at Cold Springs High School.
“Her husband is a quality, stand-up individual, and we are privileged to have him in our school system,” Barnette said.
Barnette said there are no concerns about Adams accessing school property through her husband.
The investigation remains ongoing, with multiple agencies involved.
When asked whether Adams could return to the school system if cleared, Barnette said any decision would depend on the outcome of the investigation.
“You are innocent until proven guilty,” he said.
Barnette said the school system’s priority remains student safety.
“Our sole focus is protecting the students of Cullman County Schools, and then our employees,” Barnette said.
No information has been officially released as to the reason for Adams’ resignation.
The Tribune reached out to Cullman County Sheriff Matt Gentry, who said, “We have been made aware of the recent resignation of a Cullman County school employee. The circumstances surrounding the resignation are under investigation. We will consult the Cullman County District Attorney’s Office and will provide more information at the appropriate time.”
