Fourteen seek top school position

By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Fourteen individuals have submitted applications for superintendent of Hartselle City Schools, according to School Board Chairman Ronnie Abercrombie. The deadline for accepting applications ended Sunday, Oct. 31.
"I'm pleased with the response we received." Abercrombie said. "We have a good selection of candidates from which to choose."
Two of the candidates are from within the school system. They are Dr. Joe Walters, principal of Crestline Elementary School, and William Booth, director of transportation, head baseball coach, and a math teacher at Hartselle High School.
Other candidates are: William David Burns, Harold Clayton, Don Cox, Anita Buckley Commander, S. Joanne P. Horton, David King, Janet Irons Harris, Jeremy Joseph Jones, Ginger Waldrep Hogeland, Jean Gober Lollar, William Michael Reed and Roderick Swisher.
A 10-member screening committee has responsibility for reviewing, evaluating and verifying applications as a first step in the selection process. Afterwards, five candidates will be recommended to the school board for formal interviews. In the event one or more of the interviewees remove themselves from consideration, the board reserves the right to interview other candidates.
"The committee met Monday and took a look at all of the candidates. Our work is well underway," said Frank Parker, chairman.
The candidate chosen will replace Dr. Lee Hartsell, who is retiring effective July 1, 2005. His last day on the job will be March 1,
"Our goal is to have Dr. Hartsell's replacement on the job early next year," Abercrombie said. "We budgeted enough salary to bring him on board before Dr. Hartsell leaves. This will facilitate the transition process."