AASB to conduct superintendent search for Demopolis schools

Beginning a process that is expected to take four to six months, the Demopolis City School Board Wednesday morning voted to have the Alabama Association of School Boards conduct the search for a new superintendent.

In a unanimous vote at the called meeting, with all but member Ronnie O’Neal in attendance, the board chose to have the AASB handle all of the details of the search for a cost of about $8,500. Board attorney Alex Braswell will be the point of contact for the AASB.

“I think we’ll get the cream of the crop if we go through the state,” said board member Conrad Murdock.

Whoever is selected will be succeeding Dr. Al Griffin who is retiring June 30.

“It is important that whoever we hire needs to understand Demopolis,” including the faculty, staff and demographics, stressed board chairman Jim Stanford. “It’s important that they understand small town life. We have a great community,” he continued. “It’s important that whoever does the search for us looks for those qualities. That is something that is really weighing heavily on me through this whole process.”

The AASB will do all the advertising and recruitment of applicants, conduct a survey of the community as well as hold up to six meetings with residents of the city, teachers, administrators, support personnel for input; prepare and publish a brochure, screen applicants, check credentials, provide an interview guide for the board and other duties.

In other action the board approved a bid of $5,987 from Jennings Service Company for the installation of HVAC digital equipment at the high school as part of the geothermal project.

In response to questions from the board, Griffin said the excavation site will be seeded with grass, and the dirt from the excavation will be used to fill in low spots near the ball fields, creating more parking and recreation areas.

Griffin said some $68,500 should be left in the account, and he recommended the board consider using the funds to renovate the high school bathrooms.

The board also approved hiring Will Rouse as a Demopolis High School math teacher and assistant coach. Rouse holds a master’s degree from Mississippi State.

Two K-6 positions will be posted until filled. A third will remain vacant until the board learns what the state school budget will be.

Accepting the resignation of Demopolis Middle School business/marketing teacher Vincent Pitts, the board voted to post the position.