Hugs, smiles, tears of joy, and a sense of unity filled the Courthouse Annex on Tuesday night as Dallas County School System Superintendent Wayne May made the official announcement–Gary Lamar Crum is now the principal at Southside High School.

The announcement brought cheers from audience members that packed the annex so full that many members were left standing when they heard the decision.

Cries from the audience praising May’s decision could be heard echoing throughout the annex, with some audience members even hugging May.

May announced that Crum would be appointed interim principal at Southside for a period of one year.

“After the completion of that year,” said May, “I will re-open the search for a principal.”

Said May, “It is my greatest hope and expectation that the people who truly supported Mr. Crum for the principalship of Southside High School will give him on-going support throughout the year.”

He added, “Mr. Crum will have my fullest support in leading Southside in a direction that will create success from all students.”

After May’s statement, school board member Bill MInor added, “Mr. Crum we would like to welcome you aboard. We have the utmost confidence and faith in you, and we will be there to help you along the way.”

The decision to appoint Crum came amidst some controversy.

Crum, who was principal at Five Points Elementary School, was accused by critics for not making deposits of concession sales for several months.

The controversy, however, never surfaced on Tuesday night.

In the midst of receiving hugs and words of congratulation, Crum,

pointing his thumb upward, said he was excited about the job.

“It’s all upward from here,” he said.

The statement from Crum echoed a unanimous consent among audience members, who attended the meeting.

“I think Mr. Crum can be very successful as long as he continues to receive the support of parents, teachers and students,” said James Parker, former principal at Southside. “Based on what I saw today, I think as long as he continues to receive that kind of support things will definitely go well for him this year.”

Connell Towns, the parent teacher organization leader at Southside,

said he hoped that the meeting would finally lead to a new beginning at the high school.

“I can truly say this is truly a great moment for Southside,” Towns said. “I just hope that what happened today will encourage everyone to get more involved in what has been going at Southside. We would like our parents, teachers and students to keep being involved” in what is happening at Southside “just like we saw today,” said Towns.

Willie Jackson, a Southside parent, friend of Crum, and one of Crum’s biggest supporters, thinks things will begin to change at Southside.

“I thank God that this happened. And I really think things are only looking upward from here. We are ready to make Southside the best it has ever been.”