Demopolis BOE to hire Tangle for principal post

Christopher Tangle will return to Demopolis as the new principal of Demopolis High School.

The Demopolis City Schools Board of Education unanimously voted for Tangle on the recommendation of interim superintendent Dr. Frank Costanzo at the board meeting Tuesday night.

Tangle started his teaching career at Demopolis Middle School in 1996 and later was DMS principal. He served as assistant principal and transportation and athletic director at DHS; head of transportation and maintenance with Marengo County Schools; principal at Saraland Elementary School and currently serves as principal of Thompson High School in Alabaster City.

Costanzo said that while Tangle was at Saraland the school’s test scores rose to third in the state. During his tenure AP scores at Thompson High School have increased by 25 percent.

In making his recommendation, Costanzo said that while interviewing candidates he wanted to make sure DHS would have a principal who is an instructional leader, instills discipline and secures a safe school, communicates well, has high expectations for both students and teachers and creates an innovative atmosphere.

“I believe every student can learn and can succeed,” said Costanzo.

Dr. Linda Ingram of the Alabama Association of School Boards presented the five candidates for superintendent who were selected after a team reviewed applications and conducted interviews.

They are Dr. James Keith Davis, superintendent of Winfield City Schools; Dr. Tena Elizabeth Davis, director of Curriculum and Instruction with Pelham City Schools; Kyle S. Kallhoff, superintendent of Chickasaw City Schools; Dr. Donald R. McPherson, superintendent of schools in Coffee County, and Dr. Frances (Vicky) Spears, principal with Cullman County Schools and adjunct professor at the University of Alabama.

See the related story here for more information on the superintendent selection process.

The board made the following personnel changes:

• Accepted the resignation of Megan Edmonds and hired Julie Foster to be the 8^th grade English/Language Arts teacher at DMS.
• Transferred Drew Luker from DMS 7^th grade history teacher to DHS 9^th grade history teacher and transferred Herbert Rice from 9^th grade to 7^th grade history.
• Hired Stacey Carly as 7^th grade English/Language Arts teacher at DMS.
• Hired Trey Smith as 8^th grade science teacher at DMS.
• Hired Laura Rouse as 2^nd grade teacher at Westside Elementary.
• Hired Lisa Martin, pre-K teacher at WES.
• Hired Colvin Logan, 9-12 history teacher at DHS.
• Maternity leave for Stephanie Foster, U.S. Jones teacher.
• Accepted the resignation of Danna Gandy, DHS bookkeeper, and permission to post the position.
• Transfer of Dorothy Bruno from 9-month secretary at DHS to a 10-month position, replacing Dale Smith, and permission to post the position.
• Hired Cierica James as a WES lunchroom worker.
• Hired Judy Pritchett, Pre-K auxiliary teacher at WES.
• Approved a renewal of a three-year contract with Evelyn James, the board’s Chief Financial Officer.

USJ principal Leon Clark said the elementary school is changing its institutional path by initiating team teaching for 4^th and 5^th grades.

One teacher in the team will focus on reading and social studies, and the other, on math and science. Both will emphasize grammar and writing in all areas, said Clark.

Costanzo said a meeting of individuals involved in Career Tech programs was held Monday, and plans are being made for the possibility of acquiring the former New Era building from the city.

“We’re on the cutting edge in Demopolis for some exciting opportunities for our students and for building and helping with the work force in this area,” said Costanzo.

The board approved the following consent items:

• Milk bid to Borden Dairy Company.
• Contract with Hall Taylor Construction.
• Memorandum of agreement with the state Department of Children’s Affairs for the First Class Pre-K Program at WES.
• Memorandum of agreement with the University of West Alabama for the UWA Teacher Connect Partnership for the 20-15-2016 year.
• A one-year contract with William J. Holman, Genesis Rehabilitation, Inc., for physical and occupational therapy services beginning Aug. 1.
• Use of the U.S. Jones gymnasium for two events.