By By Lisa Tindell
The recent resignation of Escambia County High School Principal Kyle Ferguson has created a buzz at the Escambia County School Board's main office.
"No matter who is hired for the position, they will have to take the job and run with it," said Billy Hines, superintendent of education for the county. "Timing isn't good anytime you have the resignation of a principal, but we do have to work as quickly as possible since it's less than a month before school starts."
Hines said David McKinley, assistant principal at the school, is currently serving in the top administrator's position until a replacement can be found and installed in the position of principal.
"David has agreed to step up and be in charge until the selection process for a new principal is complete," Hines said. "He will handle that position at least until the screening process is complete."
The screening process of all applicants will begin at 1 p.m. on July 23, the day after the deadline for submitting applications. A special committee will be formed to complete the interviewing process and submit a recommendation to the school board members.
"We will have a 12-person team in place to screen the applicants and make a recommendation to the board," Hines said. "The team will be comprised of two central office personnel, two teachers from ECHS, two support personnel people from ECHS, two people from each of Districts 5, 6 and 7 with Randall Little, assistant superintendent serving as chairperson for the interview committee."
Eddie Hill from the state assistant superintendent's office has been assigned to the Escambia County School system to assist with the screening of the candidates, Hines said.
"Mr. Hill worked with the school board when I was hired here," Hines said. "He is excellent in his work with committees around the state who are in the same position as we are in now. We are lucky and happy to have him on our team as we conduct the search."
Interviews for the principal's position at Escambia County High School should be conducted on July 25 with the committee making a recommendation to the board at its July 26 meeting.
"If an appropriate candidate is not found from among the applicants, the search will continue," Hines said. "If that is the case, I will appoint an interim principal and reopen the application processes until a suitable candidate can be found to fill the position."
Ferguson was employed at Escambia County High School in Atmore for six years with two of those years as principal at the facility. His resignation will be effective as of July 20. He has accepted a position at Thomasville High School.
In other business during the monthly meeting of the Escambia County School Board on Thursday, the board approved several personnel changes with in the system.
The board accepted the resignation of Ferguson and the resignation of Alice B. White who served as a teacher's aide at Flomaton Elementary School. Her resignation became effective on July 12.
Sandra Davis was transferred from her position as a teacher at Escambia County Middle School to a teacher at A.C. Moore Elementary School. She will be replacing Kay Vickrey.
Hired for the upcoming school year are:
In other employment changes, the board approved: