Kallhoff reflects on his time as superintendent

“It’s been a really rough decision.”

In spite of that, Kyle Kallhoff has accepted the offer become the new superintendent of education for Cullman City Schools. He will report for his new job at spring break, which gives him 60 days to finalize a lot of projects in Demopolis schools.

Kallhoff said he measures the success of his job on whether he leaves an organization better than he found it. Looking back on almost six years with Demopolis City Schools, he feels he has done just that.

The first goal he had when taking the job was to make sure employees knew they were appreciated.

“When they know they are valued they put out more effort,” he explained.

He also is pleased with how Demopolis High School is “operating the way it should.”

Before he leaves his job, Kallhoff will help the School Board find a new CSFO for the system, set up the academic calendar for 2021-2022 and oversee interior upgrades at Demopolis Middle and U.S. Jones Elementary schools.

During the time he has left he also will direct the start of construction on the multi-purpose building at Westside Elementary, but he regrets not being able to do more to upgrade school facilities.

“We’re still operating in some very old buildings,” Kallhoff said. “All our kids deserve the same things they would get if they went to another city system.”

His biggest challenge in the job was the recruitment and retention of school personnel. “I haven’t done a very good job of that.” Kallhoff hopes the partnerships with local colleges will do a lot toward attracting quality teachers to the system, especially from Demopolis students who have chosen to go into education. He feels Demopolis schools need to set up a five-year strategic plan to attract and keep them.

Kallhoff will be succeeding Supt. Dr. Susan Patterson who will retire as Cullman City superintendent on July 1. He was appointed to the post by a unanimous vote of the board of education at a called meeting Thursday, Jan. 28.

One of the reasons he believes things will go well for the next superintendent is the support he or she will receive. “There’s a core group of folks in Demopolis that care so dearly about this school system that makes it so easy for a superintendent to come in.”

He said any growth in the Demopolis system “has little to do with my leadership.” Instead, he praised the teachers, administration, students, parents and stakeholders who supported efforts to make Demopolis schools among the best in the state.

Kallhoff said the five board members – three of whom were on the board when he arrived in 2015 – are very strong. He doesn’t see any difficulty ahead for Demopolis in finding his replacement.

“Don’t be scared,” he said. “Trust this board. Demopolis is going to be fine.”

Board attorney Alex Braswell said the priority for the school board at this time is to hire a CSFO. Four candidates will be presented to the board on Monday, and interview times then will be set up. At that time the board also could begin the process of advertising for Kallhoff’s replacement.

Braswell said it is conceivable that a new superintendent could be named by the end of March.

“I wish him and his family the best of luck,” Braswell said, “but it’s a bittersweet thing, he’s done a great job, and he’s a great person, and he has a great family. I absolutely hate (he’s leaving) but I do wish them well.”

Derrick Hester, principal at DMS, agreed. “I would like to thank Mr. Kallhoff for all that he has done for our school system during his tenure with Demopolis City Schools. Under his leadership the school system has accomplished many goals and has continued the standard of excellence in this region. I wish him and his family continued success.”

Ashley Coplin, director of the Demopolis City Schools Foundation, echoed their comments.

“We are going to miss Mr. Kallhoff and his family and with them the best.”

Cullman is similar to Demopolis, but the school system has about 1,000 more students and five campuses instead of four. The city is a growing community halfway between Huntsville and Birmingham.