The Linden City Board of Education appointed Timothy Thurman Monday as the new principal of Linden High School. He is the first black principal of the school.

Thurman is a native of Jefferson, a graduate of John Essex High School and Alabama State University and recently served with the Perry County school system as principal of the alternative school, a football coach and taught in elementary school.

John Abrams resigned as the Linden high principal in May due to a disability.

Thurman’s two-year contract went into effect Tuesday.

Linden City Superintendent of Education Dr. Walter Davis said the system received nine applications. Six of the nine were interviewed by a five-person panel including Davis, and the panel recommended Thurman.

The new principal told the board that they would be satisfied with the job he would do. Thurman said he believed in "strict discipline. It’s my understanding that this is something we need to tighten up on in the Linden city schools. I’m looking forward to working with children here and the faculty and staff."

The high school has had problems in the past with fighting and students not adhering to the dress code. "We need to set rules and make sure everybody abides by those rules," Thurman said after the meeting. "…We must be firm. We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve let things slide."

Scott Jones, the counselor at Linden High, was present at Monday’s meeting and complained to the board that five years ago he was asked to withdraw his application for principal at Linden High School. "I did so under some promises (made). Since that time…I have practiced for five years. I have filled in as principal at all three schools and done everything that I was supposed to do.