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Principal applicants grow to 25

By Jared Felkins
The Times-Journal

Published October 23, 2009

With about a week remaining in accepting applications for the new principal at Fort Payne High School, the list has grown to 25 people interested in the job.

Superintendent Jimmy Cunningham said Friday he plans to close the search on Nov. 2.

“I was continuing to get applicants, but it is slowing,” Cunningham said. “There has been a statewide interest but that interest has slowed.”

Cunningham said the list includes Roger Wilkinson, of Hokes Bluff; Rodney Smith, of New Market; Randall Houk, of Swan Quarter, N.C.; Darren Anglin, of Pell City; Clarinda Hamrick, of DeKalb County; Jessica Lumpkin, of Gadsden; Brian Jett, of Fort Payne; Robert McIntosh, of Bainbridge, Ga.; Phillip Michael, of Gadsden; Justin Pate, of Demopolis; Brett Keasler, of Centre; Joseph Champion, of Grant; Lindsey Godsey, of Gadsden; Royce Hairston, of Rainsville; Hansell Gunn, of Helena; Jeremiah Bundrage, of Covington, Ga.; Bradley Bouldin, of Reform; Dana Key, of Albertville; Christian Johnson, of Fort Payne; Lekeshia Jones, of Nachez, Miss.; Chanelda King, of Harvest; Lamar Harris, of Ellenwood, Ga.; Clifford Cooks, of Leesburg, Ga.; Larry Lanier, of West Point, Ga.; and Willie Corlew, of Meridianville.

Cunningham said once the search is closed, he would develop a list of seven to 10 applicants, based on experience, to be interviewed. He said he and the administrative staff from the central office would interview the applicants.

Cunningham said he’d like to see a principal hired by sometime in December.

“I would like to see this happen, in some form, by the time we start back after Christmas,” Cunningham said. “Ideally, I’d like to have someone in place by Jan. 4. If no one is in place, we’d like to have an interim named.”

The new principal will replace Ronnie Crabtree, who was promoted in September to an administrative assistant’s position in the central office.

Crabtree will remain as FPHS principal until the position is filled. He will fill a position created in September when Pat Horton was promoted to assistant superintendent and state funding was granted for the position.

Crabtree will be responsible for supervising vocational opportunities at the high school, the community education director of HIPPY and the Extended Day Program, coordinate student and employee drug testing, coordinate teacher and other employee evaluations, coordinate school safety and planning, will be the alternative school hearing officer and textbook coordinator.

The Fort Payne City school board will meet Monday at 6 p.m. at the central office. Cunningham said no action would be taken on the open principal’s meeting.

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