The Selma Times-Journal

When school bells ring this August, some area students are sure to find a new principal or headmaster walking the halls.

As the long summer days creep by, local school officials have been busy appointing administrators to lead both students and faculty to a successful 2006-2007 academic year.

Dallas County Schools

The Dallas County School Board recently named four principals and one assistant principal during its two June meetings.

Board members named Carla Thompson principal of Shiloh Elementary. Thompson’s predecessor, Sharon Streeter, stepped down to pursue a doctorate degree full-time at the University of Alabama, said Superintendent Dr. Fannie Major-McKenzie.

Hattie Shelton, who was principal at Bruce K. Craig Elementary, will head Tipton Middle this fall, replacing retiree Alvin Owens.

Melissa Milligan, a former employee of Selma City Schools, was named principal of Brantley Elementary. Milligan replaces Allen B. Shelton, who accepted another administrative position within the school system, Major-McKenzie said. Milligan previously worked at Selma’s School of Discovery.

Dyana Thomas was named assistant principal at Southside High School.

Last Monday, board members issued their congratulations to Don Ingram, who was named principal of Dallas County High School. Currently serving as DCHS’ assistant principal, Ingram will replace Susan Jones, who resigned shortly after the school year ended.

A county school employee for six years, Ingram was both a teacher and coach at Southside High and Martin Middle School. Ingram later served as assistant principal of MMS before joining the DCHS staff.

Major-McKenzie said 25 people interviewed for the school’s principal and assistant principal openings and believes school officials have chosen the right people for the job.

“I’m looking forward to a very productive relationship with Mr. Ingram and the other additions who’ve been assigned to our schools,” the superintendent said in a previous report.

AISA Schools

Central Christian Academy Board President John McDougal announced June 19 Dr. Norman J. Messina, former headmaster of Jackson Academy in Jackson, Ala., has been named headmaster of CCA.

“(Messina) will bring years and years of experience (to CCA),” McDougal said in a previous report.

With 33 years of service in education, Messina’s resume includes stints as a classroom teacher, coach, assistant high school principal and elementary, middle, junior high, and high school principal, McDougal said.

Messina later served as an assistant superintendent and superintendent of education before accepting the headmaster’s position at Jackson Academy, where he served for six years.

Messina replaces interim CCA headmaster Darrell Walker, who will now serve as CCA’s assistant headmaster and athletic director. Formerly a seventh through ninth grade history teacher, Walker was named interim headmaster in May following the departure of former CCA headmaster Dayton Dawkins.

Selma City Schools

Unlike Dallas County and AISA schools, Selma City Schools has no new principal or assistant principal appointments, said public relations and attendance supervisor Lynn Henderson Friday.