By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Don Pouncey, a 25-year veteran of the Hartselle school system and principal of F.E. Burleson Elementary School, will become principal of Hartselle Junior High School on July 1 following the retirement of Frank Parker who has served in the position for 25 years.
His appointment was recommended by Superintendent Dr. Mike Reed and approved unanimously by the school board at its last regular meeting May 19.
"I'm excited about the challenge but I have mixed emotions about leaving," said Pouncey. "It's bittersweet to start something one year and move the next. I've come to love and appreciate the staff here. They do a tremendous job."
"On the other hand, I consider it an honor to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of Frank Parker and J. P. Cain. I just hope I will be able to step in and continue to do what they've been doing for a long time," he added.
A native of Enterprise, Miss., Pouncey is completing his 30th year in education and 25th year in Hartselle. He has two brothers in education, both living in Mississippi, One of them retired last year as a superintendent and the other is a school principal.
Pouncey joined the Hartselle High School faculty in 1980 as a classroom teacher and assistant football and basketball coach. He was promoted to head basketball coach in 1985 and served in that position until 1994. His last team won the 5A state championship. Subsequently, he served as an assistant principal at HHS for seven years and as assistant principal at Hartselle Junior High for three years. He was appointed Burleson's principal prior to the 2004-05 school year.
He earned bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Southern Mississippi and completed requirements for a AA certificate at Alabama A&M University.
He started his education career at Shelby County High School in Columbiana, where he was a classroom teacher and assistant football and basketball coach.
Pouncey and his wife, Mitzi, who is director of nursing at Hartselle Medical Center, live in Hartselle. They have a daughter, Allyson, a sophomore at Hartselle High School, a stepson and son, Zach Tosti , his wife, Stephanie, and their son, Jacob, all of Hartselle.
Other personnel changes approved by the board are listed as follows:
Resignations:
Non-renewal contract:
Transfers, effective with the 2005-06 school year:
Summer employment at HHS:
Employment effective with the 2005-06 school year:
Tenure:
Catastrophic Sick Leave:
Salary supplements: