Superintendent search down to six candidates

Published 9:35 am Thursday, April 16, 2015

The Crenshaw County School Board began narrowed down its list of applicants for superintendent to six candidates, all of them from Alabama.

The candidates were announced during a workshop held Tuesday evening.

For the first time in Crenshaw County history, the next superintendent will not be chosen by election. Instead, the district enlisted the help of the Alabama Association of School Boards.

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Terry Jenkins, a consultant with the association, presented the candidates’ resume packets to school board members and advised them how to proceed with interviews.

Charles Henderson High School Principal Boyd English is one of the candidates. He received his doctorate in educational leadership from Georgia Southern University . English also earned degrees from Auburn University and Troy University.

Dana Griggs, of Dothan, is also a candidate for the position. She currently works as director of carer and technical education and secondary instruction at Ozark City Schools.

Griggs has been with Ozark since 2005 and was previously a teacher in the Henry County School System.

James Jones, of Brewton, was the third candidate introduced. He is director of programs at Brewton City Schools and has served as director of special education for at-risk students in Sheffield City Schools.

Rhinnie Scott, of Sawyersville, is the principal of Career Technical Education in Greene County. The former science teacher received a doctorate from Nova Southeastern University and holds degrees from the University of West Alabama and Stillman College.

Wade Shipman, of Fayette, was former superintendent of Fayette County. He was defeated in the last election and was drawn to Crenshaw County because it no longer uses elections to fill superintendent positions.

He served as an assistant principal and teacher in Fayette and has master’s degrees from the University of West Alabama and Mississippi State University.

John Wilcox was the final candidate. He is currently assistant superintendent of Tallapoosa County School System. The Dadeville resident has worked for Bullock County and Opelika Schools.

Wilcox holds a master’s degree from Troy University and a bachelors in social studies education from Auburn.

Jenkins said all of the candidates were willing to relocate to Crenshaw County. Some have already visited the area. He advised board members to interview every candidate before narrowing the selection.

Interviews will be held Tuesday through Friday of next week, at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. All interviews are open to the public.