By By Cliff Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Principal Jerry Reeves is the new director of school operations and student services, ending 20 years as leader of Hartselle High School.
The move was made on a recommendation from Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed at a special called meeting Monday. The school board acted without discussion or opposition to appoint Reeves. However, board member Kathy Goodwin said the position is not new, contrary to what was previously reported in a neighboring daily newspaper and repeated the words “not new” twice while addressing reporters.
Reed said Reeves would continue to serve as principal until his replacement is appointed. Meanwhile, a search will be conducted for qualified applicants. He said that process will begin with the posting of the position on the Alabama Department of Education website.
As a central office staff member Reeves will have responsibility for directing the school system’s child nutrition program, Additional duties will include the supervision of safety measures, support personnel evaluations, teacher observations and evaluations and assisting with discipline issues and complaints.
Reeves will retain his tenure as a certified teacher and school principal and will be paid a salary equal to his current salary of approximately $108,000. He will also be eligible to receive the same pay increases approved for other school system employees.
Reed said he interviewed four persons for the position. One application was withdrawn prior to interview.
Reeves have served as Hartselle’s High School’s principal for 20 years. Previously, he was a general and advanced biology teacher and head girls’ basketball coach for five years and assistant principal for three years. His education career spans 31 years
He coached his basketball teams to back-to-back state championships in a1983 and ’83 and was honored as “Coach of the Year” twice. He also co-coached an 18-and-under AAU team to a national championship in 1984.
In reflecting on his long tenure as principal, Reeves listed several accomplishments for which he said he is most proud. They included the fact that every teacher at the school is highly qualified and in their chosen field; the school meets every standard of the Southern Association and meets all Annual Yearly Progress standards; has a 90 percent-plus graduation rate; was chosen in 1995 as a National Blue Ribbon School nominee by the State Department of Education; all 778 school budgets are operating in the black and have been doing so for the past 15 years; the athletic programs are strong with 18 state championships to their credit; high school graduations exam scores are in the top 10 percent in the state; and 2008 graduates received college scholarships totaling more than $2 million.
The board acted on other matters as follows: