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Demopolis City Schools Superintendent Tony Willis has resigned his position effective July 31.

According to The Anniston Star, Willis has accepted a position with the Calhoun County School District to take the superintendents position there. Willis has served as superintendent of Demopolis City Schools since June 1, 2021, after being appointed during a special called meeting days before that.

Prior to coming to Demopolis, he served as the supervisor of accountability and special programs for the Decatur City School system.

Willis said he thanked everyone for their support over the past three years.

“I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Board of Education as well as the faculty, staff and families of Demopolis,” Willis said in a statement. “It has been a wonderful three years. We have seen unprecedented growth, unmatched academic success and state as well as national recognition for growth, innovation and distinction. All this to say this community and these students have amazing teachers and support.  This board keeps their focus on the mission of helping students and it shows. Our schools have added safety measures and much needed upgrades which will help for years to come. Demopolis is a special place and I look forward to hearing of nothing but great things in the years to some.”

Search begins

Board president Harris Hurst said the board has begun its search for an interim superintendent to put in place until the district can complete a search for a new permanent superintendent.

”I hate that he’s leaving,” Harris said. “I appreciate the job he has done here. We are already looking for an interim superintendent. We hope to have someone in place as soon as possible.”

The Demopolis City School Board accepted his resignation unanimously. They were also scheduled to have a special called board meeting Tuesday night to possibly appoint an interim superintendent. That meeting had not been held as of press time Tuesday.

Other business

In other business, the board:

• Held an executive session to hold a student disciplinary hearing and to discuss the contract of Demopolis High School Principal Terina Gannt. Upon leaving executive session, the board approved a contract extension for Gannt through 2027 and approved allowing the student to be re-admitted to DHS.
• Approved all monthly financial statements and cash balance/bank reconcilements.
• Approved a change order for security vestibules for U.S Jones Elementary and Demopolis Middle School in the amount of $18,383.73 to install four (4) swing gates with panic hardware and metal infill .
• Approved the change to Attendance Incentive – Policy 6.68. and the attendance policy for the 2024-2025 School Year, after making corrections to Page 2.
• Approved of the 2nd Reading of the Code of Conduct for the 2024-2025 School Year .
• Awarded milk and produce bids for 2024-2025 to Prairie Farms in the amount of $97,467.
• Awarded the paper bid for the 2024-2025 School Year to Newell Paper Company in the amount of $28,708.50.
• Approved of Phase 3 Investment Grade Audit Agreement between Schneider Electric Buildings Americas, Inc. and Demopolis City Schools.
• Purchased window film for Demopolis Middle School from Alabama Window Solutions, LLC. In the amount of $29,545.00.
• Approved a Hold Harmless Agreement from “A Time to Share” Productions for use of the DMS Softball Field.

Personnel

• Approved The Personnel Report. That included hiring Lyle Meador, as History Teacher; Leslie Spiller, as Career Prep/Health Teacher; and Ashleigh Williams, as history Teacher, all at DHS; Gracie Hubbard, as Elementary Education Teacher, and Vicky Thorne, as Elementary Education Teacher, both at US Jones.
• Approved resignations of Dana Hill, US Jones Elementary Education Teacher; Melissa Reid, Westside Special Education Teacherl and Substitutes Gabriel Daniels, Janelle Adams and custodian Ralph Mullen.
• Approved Westside K-Readiness Camp Teachers: Jasmaria Bouler, Lisa Martin, Haley Sager and Tracey Horton; and Extended Day Program Worker Lana Little. 
• Accepted the resignation from U.S. Jones Elementary Principal, Alphus Shipman.

The next regularly scheduled meeting will be August 19 at 5:15 p.m.