Pounders, Sparks chosen as principals

By Staff
Kim West, Franklin County Times
Superintendent Bill Moss saved the best for last at yesterday's Franklin County Board of Education meeting.
After the 30-minute meeting adjourned, Moss announced that the search committees in Red Bay and Belgreen had each chosen a candidate to fill the open principal posts.
Red Bay assistant principal Kenny Sparks was selected for the position vacated by Red Bay principal Wesley Thigpen, who is leaving July 1 to start work as the regional coordinator for the Alabama Reading Initative.
Sparks, who has also taught at Red Bay, was among five applicants and was chosen by a committee comprised of one board member, the school's guidance counselor, a retired teacher and two local residents.
Belgreen assistant principal Steve Pounders was picked for the position left open by Belgreen principal Eddie Britton, who has accepted the principal job at Tishomingo High School in Iuka, Miss., effective July 1.
Pounders, who has also taught and coached basketball at Belgreen, was chosen by a committee that included the PTO president, one board member, one teacher and two local residents.
"The committee did a good job choosing, and I appreciated the time they spent considering the candidates," Moss said. "I hope to have the contracts finalized so we can announce it at the next board meeting."
Moss said that the principal positions are contract-based, and Pounders and Sparks won't officially be hired until they accept their salaries.
"Their salaries will be calculated by the board's accountant, Carla Knight," Moss said.
"She will base them on the number of teachers at their schools, their degree and years of experience.
In other business, the board:
The next board meeting is Friday, June 29 at 10 a.m. at the Board of Education building in downtown Russellville, and the board's work session will be held prior to the meeting beginning at 8:30 a.m.