Coplin named fourth DCSF director

Ashley Coplin sees her new position as executive director of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation as a way to give back.

A product of Demopolis City Schools, Coplin now has a child enrolled in school.

Coplin isn’t new to the Foundation since she has served as treasurer for the past two years. She has been the marketing specialist at Naheola Credit Union for 3 1/2 years.

She succeeds Amanda Barnes who held the position for almost 10 years. Barnes and her family are relocating to Sioux Falls, S.D., where her husband, John David Barnes, will be the rector of an Episcopal Church.

“I look forward to working with our Board in continuing the advancement of the Foundation and striving for excellence in providing support for the Demopolis City Schools,” said Coplin. “I want to take what (Amanda has) done and expand it.”

“Amanda has been a strong leader for the Demopolis City School Foundation and a big part of the education community in Demopolis,” said Peter Michael Reynolds Jr., Foundation Board president. “She leaves a strong legacy of excellence that will serve us well as a blueprint for future growth.”

Under Barnes’ leadership the Foundation surpassed its goal of a $1 million endowment and made record grants to teachers in the school system.

Coplin is the fourth Foundation director since it was formed in 1993. She begins her job Aug. 4.