Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. BIll BIshop's former position of Director of Administrative Services has been dissolved, with responsibilities from that job divided among these three employees along with the jobs they are already working. From left, John McCullar, Bo Wilcoxson, Leah Epperson and BIshop.
HALEYVILLE - Now that Dr. Bill Bishop has been named Haleyville City Schools superintendent, his former central office position of Director of Administrative Services has been dissolved, with his former responsibilities divided among three long-time system administrators.
The Haleyville Board of Education voted unanimously December 16, to divide the responsibilities Bishop had as Director of Administrative Services among Middle School Principal Bo Wilcoxson, Assistant Director of Student Services Leah Epperson and Center of Technology Director John McCullar.
Each of these consolidations will become effective January 1, board members approved.
McCullar will remain as Center of Technology director, but will now also be the school system’s safety coordinator, transitioning from a 202-day assistant principal position, to serve a 240-day principal/CTE director contract with “significant additional responsibilities,” according to the personnel agenda approved by the board.
McCullar will also assist with PowerSchool support and continue providing support at the high school as assistant principal, the personnel agenda read.
McCullar’s new position will actually be a principal contract and CTE director position and will be issued as a one-year, six-month probationary contract, in accordance with the state law, due to the change from assistant principal to a 240-day first-time principal
“I will continue to be responsible for the center of technology as a day-to-day basis in the principal position,” McCullar confirmed.
“But I also will be responsible for career tech systemwide at the other schools and the reporting to the state, and also safety for the entire campus and working with the state to keep everything up-to-date,” McCullar added.
“It is a great opportunity,” McCullar added. “As some of us get closer to the end of our employment than the beginning, a change is good, so I’m excited about change.
“Anything we can do to help the school system, I am excited to be a part of,” McCullar added.
Epperson will now be expanding her duties by transitioning from a 202-day assistant director of student services contract to a 240-day contract as assistant director of school services, with duties including continued special education support with the addition of PowerSchool Coordinator.
PowerSchool is the student information system for the entire school system, Bishop explained.
“In summary, it’s what keeps all the records. It is what does all of the grades. It is what gives us all the student information, all the faculty information, all the calendars, all the tests,” Bishop explained.
“I needed somebody very intelligent, very smart, very dedicated like Mrs. Epperson,” Bishop stated.
“I think it’s a great opportunity and I’m excited,” Epperson stated. “I feel honored to be able to expand my knowledge and responsibilities.”
Wilcoxson will remain the middle school principal, but will have additional duties of school transportation supervisor, as well as all other duties as assigned, the personnel agenda stated. Wilcoxson’s role will be a supplemental supervisor position.
“Our bus drivers play an extremely important role in our district,” Wilcoxson said. “They are the first ones who bring our students to school in the morning. They get our students to and from school safely and I want to be able to help them however I can.”
Bishop explained that Wilcoxson would have oversight of the buses operated by HCS, including special needs and extracurricular events buses.
The remaining buses for the system are operated through the Winston County School system, and Wilcoxson will work with the county in that area, Bishop noted.
Wilcoxson will also oversee drug testing for the bus drivers in accordance with the Alabama Department of Transportation guidelines, Bishop said.
“It’s an honor,” Wilcoxson said. “I just want to be able to help and serve.”
“I am happy to have these people because they are instrumental,” Bishop then said. “I am going to be working with them to make sure they have what they need to be successful because our school system is very important.”
See complete story in the Northwest Alabamian.
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