The Demopolis Board of Education Tuesday approved the hiring of a new principal for Demopolis High School and five candidates for the system’s next superintendent were named.
The new principal for DHS will be Christopher R. Tangle. He was recommended to the board by Interim Superintendent Frank Costanzo and accepted by the board on a 12-month contract. Tangle, who currently serves as the principal of Thompson High School in Alabaster, Alabama, will be no stranger to the Demopolis School System. He served as the principal at Demopolis Middle School from 2012-2014; the Transportation and Athletic director at DHS from 2002-2005; was assistant principal at the high school from 2000-2005 and again from 2010-2011; and was a physical education and health teacher from 1996-2002. He has also served as the transportation and maintenance director for Marengo County Schools and was a principal at Saraland Elementary School in Saraland, Alabama.
The board approved Costanzo’s recommendation to hire Tangle by unanimous vote.
As the superintendent search moves forward, Linda Ingram, a consultant for the Alabama Association of School Boards, attended the board meeting to present five candidates to be considered for the superintendent position. Ingram said she, along with a committee, reviewed all applicants and found the five candidates they felt matched the needs of Demopolis. She said those needs were based on public input gathered during forums held earlier in the process.
Ingram said a total of 28 candidates from eight different states began the process of applying for the superintendent position.
The candidates include:
• Dr. James Keith Davis. Davis currently serves as the superintendent of the Winfield City School System and is a resident of Montgomery, Alabama. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Mississippi.
•Dr. Tena “Elisabeth” Davis. Davis currently serves as the director of curriculum and instruction with the Pelham City School System and is a resident of Alabaster, Alabama. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from Samford University.
• Mr. Kyle S. Kallhoff. Kallhoff currently serves as the superintendent of the Chickasaw City School System and is a resident of Mobile, Alabama. He holds a master’s degree in special education from the University of South Alabama.
• Dr. Donald R. McPherson. McPherson currently serves as superintendent with the Coffee County School System and is a resident of New Brockton, Alabama. He holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Alabama.
• Dr. Frances “Vicky” Spears. Spears currently serves as a principal with the Cullman County School System and is a resident of Vinemont, Alabama. She holds a doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Alabama-Birmingham.
The school board will interview each candidate during special meetings held next week, Monday through Friday, beginning at 5 p.m. at Rooster Hall. The public is invited to attend these meetings. The public is invited to meet the candidates prior to the interview meetings beginning at 4 p.m. each day, also at Rooster Hall.