Demopolis BOE tabs Scott as new band director

Demopolis High School has a new band director following Monday’s board of education meeting. Frederick Scott, currently at Red Level High School, will assume the post July 1.

“He is from Anniston, but he is in Andalusia right now. He’s got four years experience as a band director. His current superintendent and principal speak very highly of him. He’s got leadership training. (Interim Demopolis High School Principal Blaine) Hathcock and I interviewed him and five others over the last month, so we’re excited about him,” Demopolis City Schools Superintendent Kyle Kallhoff said.

Jillian Arthur served the school system in an interim capacity during the current school year following the late-summer resignation of former band directory Matt Fields in 2016.

“We need the leadership skills that he brings and that was important,” Kallhoff said. “Our interim did a great job getting us through this year, but we needed some leadership skills and he has those, so we are very eager to get him in there.”

Scott is a graduate of Walter Wellborn High in Anniston and holds a B.S. in Music Education from Jacksonville State University. He also has a Master’s in Music Education from Auburn University.

“His effective day is July 1, but we’re going to see a lot of him over the next couple of months,” Kallhoff said. “We’re going to work with his school system on getting him over here and paying for some professional days for him to come over here. We can’t wait until July 1 to get started. He knows that. We know that. And his superintendent and principal are pretty easy to work with as well.”

Kallhoff also indicated his hope for a meet-and-greet for Scott to be scheduled in the near future.

Other actions at the meeting included the decision to advertise the positions of Demopolis Middle School Band Director and Demopolis High School JROTC (Non-Commissioned Officer).

The school system will accept bids for landscaping duties on each of the four campuses.

The board approved adjunct contracts for choir instructor Madelyn Jacobs as well as broadcasting/journalism instructor Jeremy Smith.

The board recognized Student of the Month Cheyenne Martin and Natalie Saliba of Demopolis High as well as Maddie Singleton of U.S. Jones Elementary School. Employee of the Month recognition went to Ann Jackson of DHS and Addy Card of U.S. Jones.

The next meeting is set for Monday, May 15 at 5:15 p.m.