Principal, COT director hired for Haleyville Schools

HALEYVILLE- Two major changes in administrative positions topped a lengthy list of personnel items approved by the Haleyville Board of Education at their Monday, April 27, meeting.
Emily Faulkner was named Haleyville Middle School principal, and Kevin Barnwell was named Haleyville Center of Technology director/Assistant Haleyville High School principal and HCS safety coordinator.
Faulkner will be moving from the role of assistant middle school principal, a role she has served the past three years, into the new role, while Barnwell will be leaving the elementary school, where he has been assistant principal this past year, to return to the high school.
Principal contracts for Faulkner and Barnwell will each be 240 days, effective July 1, board members approved.
“We had two people who will be retiring effective July 1,” explained Haleyville City School Superintendent Dr. Bill Bishop. “We had to find the people who could do the job and we had some amazing people in-house.”
After conducting interviews, Haleyville School officials decided that Faulkner and Barnwell were the best fits for the roles being vacated by the retirement of John McCullar as COT director/assistant principal and Bo Wilcoxson as middle school principal.
Bishop began by asking for prayers on behalf of McCullar, who is retiring due to health concerns. “We are going to miss him,” he said.
“First of all,” added Board of Education President Beth McAlpine, “We are going to miss Mr. Wilcoxson. He’s been with us many years and is very much loved.
“We are also in prayer for Mr. John McCullar, that he gets better every day,” McAlpine added. “We welcome Mr. Barnwell to the center of technology. He fills that role from many aspects.
“The elementary school is crying because they have lost him,” McAlpine added. 
McAlpine then commended Faulkner on being a natural fit for the middle school principal’s role.  “She has been working with Mr. Wilcoxson and does a great job in anything she does. She is a worker,” she said.
“These are two good fits and we are really happy for them,” McAlpine concluded.
Bishop commended Faulkner on everything she does, from being involved with data to being competitive in her coaching roles to her love for the students and the school.
“We want winners,” said Bishop. “Our motto is Home of Champions, and I think we have a champion with Emily Faulkner.”
Bishop then commended Barnwell on the successful role he has had as elementary assistant principal, stating that he is a champion in what he does, he said.
“I needed somebody strong.  They really did not want to lose Mr. Barnwell over at the elementary school because he’s done a tremendous  job over there,” Bishop pointed out.
“They are not happy with me about that,” Bishop continued. “That should tell you something about the hire right there. That’s why I knew he was the right person for the job.”
These two changes mean that postings have already been made for an assistant principal at the middle school, replacing Faulkner, and an assistant principal at the elementary school, replacing Barnwell, Bishop explained.
Plans are to begin the interview process and to possibly hire those two assistant principal positions in a special-called meeting, the date of which has not yet been set, Bishop indicated.
Wilcoxson noted he is happy for Faulkner, knowing the school will be in the hands of capable leadership after his retirement.
“She has been amazing these last three years at the middle school,” Wilcoxson said.“She is a hard worker. She builds great relationships with parents and with the students and I know the faculty admires her for the work she does.
“I am so excited for her and for what is in store for the middle school,” Wilcoxson added.
Elementary Principal Tammy Hatton noted it was tough losing Barnwell, but expressed her pride that he is moving to a new level in his career.
“There will be big shoes to fill with Mr. Barnwell leaving us at HES,” Hatton said. “However, I feel confident that we will find someone who will come in as he did and take on the role of a leader with compassion, pride and integrity.
“HES strives for success in all areas, including, but not limited to, academics, personal growth, relationships.  In doing so, we seek personnel that fits with our culture,” Hatton added.
“I wish Mr. Barnwell great success at the Haleyville Center of Technology and his administrative career,” Hatton concluded.
High School Principal Dr. Davey Reed welcomed Barnwell onto the high school administrative team.
“We are going to miss John (McCullar),” Reed began. “John has been a solid rock for me for seven years, to bounce ideas off of, as well as run a strong program at the center of technology.
“I think we have some very capable and upcoming administrators who will do a great job,” Reed added.