Huntsville board to recruit two assistant superintendents; personnel slate approved

The Huntsville School Board on Tuesday approved a slate of personnel hires and unanimously authorized the district to open applications for two new assistant superintendent positions: one for curriculum, instruction and communications and one for student services and compliance.

Superintendent Dr. Williams presented the slate and recommended the additional administrative hires following an executive session. Board members then voted to seek candidates and to interview for both posts; the board said final hires will be determined through the interview process.

The personnel slate approved at the meeting included multiple hires, resignations and in-district transfers. Board documents and the superintendent’s remarks list hires including Margaret Haney, Jim Brown, Jesse Parker and others; resignations included Mary Hafner, Heather Crouch, Shelley Walden and several more. Transfers approved included Bruce Dunlap (boys/girls basketball assignment change) and Bailey Culver (from middle school art to high school English). The board recognized departing staff members and thanked them for their service.

Dr. Williams said the district has identified curriculum alignment and communications as near-term priorities and described the two assistant-superintendent roles as tools to address those needs. "We need someone focused on aligning curriculum, supporting teachers and sharing the district's story," he said, arguing the roles would support instruction and community perception. The board also discussed whether to repurpose an existing unfilled position versus creating a new assistant-superintendent title; the final direction was to advertise and interview for the two roles.

Board members also discussed whether parts of the duties could be handled by an in-district hire or a single combined role. Several board members voiced support for moving quickly because of hiring timelines and the district’s stated needs; others urged caution and asked for further planning around funding and job descriptions.

The motion to approve the personnel slate and to open the searches was made during the meeting after executive session and carried with board approval. The district will publish job postings and begin the candidate review and interview process, with Dr. Williams and the board to participate.

The board concluded the personnel business by thanking departing employees for their service and confirming next steps for the recruitment process.