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The Demopolis City Schools Board of Education appointed Dr. Adam Pugh as the new Superintendent of Education at a called board meeting Monday, Feb. 10.

After an extensive search, Pugh was selected “for his outstanding leadership, commitment to academic excellence, and vision for the future of DCS,” according to a press release from the school board Tuesday afternoon.

Pugh has over 30 years of experience in the education sector. He was also recently employed with PryorMorrow’s Educational Relations Department.

According to the Oxford Eagle, Pugh retired from the Lafayette County (Mississippi) School District in 2021 after being with the district for nine years. Pugh served as Lafayette High School’s principal from 2002 to 2009 until he took the job at Pontotoc City Schools. That district earned an “A” rating from the Mississippi Department of Education from 2017 to 2021.

He has served as a teacher, coach, principal and superintendent and has received honors, including Mississippi Association of Students Councils Administrator of the Year, Mississippi Scholastic Press Association Administrator of the Year and Practitioner of Distinction from the University of Mississippi. He has served as member, secretary, president-elect and president of the Mississippi Association of School Superintendents.

Pugh was born in Bay Springs, Mississippi, and attended Jones County Junior College, now known as Jones College, and transferred to Mississippi State University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in social studies education in 1989. He earned his Master of Science degree in educational leadership from Mississippi State University in 1995. In 2009, he earned his Doctor of Philosophy degree in educational leadership from The University of Mississippi.

Pugh was officially announced by the Demopolis City School System on Tuesday afternoon. He will be replacing interim Superintendent Dr. Bobby Hathcock, who has served since Aug. 1, 2024, when Tony Willis left to become the Calhoun County School Superintendent.

According to the job posting, the base salary for the Demopolis school superintendent is $150,000 and is negotiable based on “experience and a proven track record.” Details regarding his salary and contract have not been released at this time.

His first day was not announced in the press release. Interviews for the superintendent position were conducted on Friday, Feb. 7, prior to Monday’s meetings.