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Several Demopolis City School Board members were asking for an update on the new superintendent search.

On Nov. 1, the job was posted on the school’s website, but Board Member Dr. Alquippa Allen said she had not heard an update on the search.

Interim Superintendent Bobby Hathcock said he didn’t have an information on the search at this time, and board attorney Alexander Braswell was not present during the Nov. 18 meeting.

“I have not heard anything, and you know Alex has that,” Hathcock said. “All of the applications will go to him, so we have not been privied to any of that. All I know is that (technology director) Logan (Arnold) has been asked to help him download the applications.

“Well I hope he would have been here tonight to do that, but as soon as we can, we will get that out to you. We still got a few days to go, but I haven’t gotten anything from.”

Board President Harris Hurst said that Braswell would likely provide them with an update if they talked with him. And he added that since the deadline for applications is Dec. 6, the board will likely receive an update prior to their next regular board meeting on Dec. 12 at 5:15 p.m.

“I’ll ask him to give us an update,” Hurst said.

Allen said she was concerned because she had received no feedback on the job search since the job was posted.

“I feel good that we are going to get some good applicants, but I’ll say this, there certainly aren’t as many good (superintendent) applicants as there used to be,” Hathcock said. “We’ve got it on the state website. Hopefully we will. As soon as I get an update, I’ll pass it along.”

Demopolis City Schools is looking to find a permanent superintendent who will replace Tony Willis, who resigned in July to accept the superintendent position in Calhoun County. Hathcock has served in the interim superintendent role since August 2024.

Once the application period closes Dec. 6, Braswell will collect the candidates and compile them into a report for the board of education.

During a typical search, the board will then that report to consider finalists which will be interviewed by the board of education. Once the board decides on a candidate, they will negotiate the contract.

According to the job listing, they would like a new superintendent to start by March 1, 2025.

The salary is a base salary of $150,000 and is “negotiable based on experience and a proven track record.” The job listing also states the superintendent is required to live in Demopolis and to enroll their children in the school system if they are of school age. A master’s degree is required for the position, but they prefer a doctorate with at least three to five years of experience.