Three apply for BOE
By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Three applications for Hartselle School Board have been received by Rita Lee, city clerk/controller at presstime. The deadline for submitting applications for the five-year term is April 2 at 4 p.m.
Applicants are Jim Hartsell, an architect and son of former Hartselle Schools Superin- tendent Dr. Lee Hartsell; Mark Hampton, a local real estate agent; and Monty M. Vest, a communications employee for a Huntsville defense contractor.
The appointee will follow in the footsteps of Kathy White Goodwin, who opted not to seek reappointment after serving on the board for two full terms. Her term ends in June.
Hartsell, who is employed by Davis Associates, a Birmin-gham-based architectural firm, said he is seeking the position because he wants to make sure that money for the new Hartselle High School is spent wisely. His firm is one of three that submitted bids for the $40 million project.
Hampton is a civic and business leader who is currently serving on the new school project’s Community Committee.
He listed three reasons for wanting to serve on the board: recognize and support all resources that can best serve all students; expand and enhance student services and encourage and reward teachers for accountability.
Vest stated, “The school system in Hartselle is one of our city’s most important asserts and I would like to be involved as we work to ensure that they are prepared to meet the future needs of our children. Because of my position I’ve had the opportunity to be involved in Leadership Huntsville and have spent a great amount of time learning more about the school system as well as the State of Alabama School System. I’ve learned that we must keep the student’s needs first in all decisions.”
A referendum will be conducted as a part of the November General Election to determine if Hartselle residents prefer an elected school board to an appointed one. If an elected board is preferred, its members would be elected as a part of the next Municipal Election in 2012.
