Probationary contract for Principal Reed extended to 2023

HALEYVILLE    - A unanimous vote of the Haleyville Board of Education approved a three-year non-probationary contract of Haleyville High School Principal Davey Reed  effective July 1 through June 30, 2023, as one of numerous personnel items approved at the Thursday, June 25 meeting.
Reed was hired as high school principal by the board on June 3, 2019, under a two-year probationary contract. That contract was extended in the middle of the former probationary contract last week, by the board granting a three-year probationary contract through 2023.
“I am very thankful, and honored and pleased and any other adjective you can throw in there,” Reed said after the meeting. 
“From the day I walked in to a year later, the folks at Haleyville accepted me as one of my own,” Reed added. “It’s time to move forward even another notch, step up the game.”
Reed admitted his first year at HCS was unique, in being cut short by two months by the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in graduation being held with rules regarding social distancing  a week earlier than normal and an outdoor formal dinner being held for the prom a month after that.
“(The school year) ended last week with prom,” Reed stated. “Just a great year.  Folks pulled together. With consistency, you can help move things forward.”
Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Holly Sutherland stressed that Reed has done a phenomenal job his first year as high school principal.
“He  is definitely the light in a lot of our days,” Dr. Sutherland said. “He keeps us hopping and does great things for kids and they like him and he does fun things. He gets on their level, but we love that.
“We are excited for him to be here several more years and to be a part of the high school,” Dr. Sutherland continued.
Board of Education President Donna Jones referred to Reed as having stepped up to the plate and done a remarkable job over the past year coming new into the school system.
“I am ready to whole-heartedly give him a non-probationary contract, and we all are,” Jones pointed out, speaking on behalf of all board members. 
Among other personnel items, the board approved the following resignations: Leah Howell as elementary teacher effective May 22; Shelby Humphries as elementary special education teacher effective May 20;
Meagan Pugh as elementary teacher effective May 20; Alex DeLeon as high school/middle school special education teacher and varsity football coach effective June 16;
Adam Lawler as middle school teacher effective June 17; Julie Oliver as elementary teacher effective May 22; Mary Suzanne Caldwell as high school special education teacher effective June 24.
The following personnel were hired; Lisa Emerson as elementary school Bright Start morning tutor effective Aug. 3; Mitzi Hyde as ESY teacher at the middle school effective June 16; 
Vicki Page and Cindy Sutherland as ESY paraprofessionals at the elementary school effective July 7; Jessica Riddle as full time social worker for the school system for the new school year effective Aug. 3;
Christine Engle as full time lunchroom worker at the high school effective July 27;  Alisa Pinkard as elementary special education teacher effective Aug. 3;
Madison Clark as elementary special education teacher; Hollison Sudduth as elementary teacher; Mitzi Hyde as elementary teacher; Leah Smith as elementary preschool teacher; Alan Tidwell as elementary special education teacher; 
Laura Nelson as elementary teacher; Steven Steward as elementary special education paraprofessional; Jessica Spain as middle school 8th grade computer education teacher; Austin Mansell as high school special education teacher; LeeAnn Walker as special education teacher.
All of these personnel hirings will be effective Aug. 3.
The following transfers were approved: Chris Bunio from middle school 8th grade computer/business teacher to 6th grade I-XL/STEAM teacher effective June 17; Nicole Cook from elementary special education teacher to elementary teacher effective June 17.
Five extra summer days were approved for elementary and middle secretaries and 10 extra summer days for high school secretary.
Ten extra days were approved for Assistant High School Principal Candy Garner for STEAM coordination.
Dr. Sutherland commended  the entire administrative team on what they have done to make the school year successful, even during uncertain times  of the pandemic which forced closure of schools at the end of March through the remainder of the school year in May.
Dr. Sutherland added she wished the best for all employees who have either come new into the system or left for positions in other systems.
“We feel blessed to have so many new people who are joining our team. We do believe it’s a good place to work,” she said.