The Hartselle City School board tonight voted 4-1 to name Sabrina Buettner interim superintendent. Board member Venita Jones (Place 5) was the sole no vote.  

Buettner is a retired district administrator who worked with Hartselle City Schools for 36 years. She is a graduate of Jacksonville State University.  Currently, Buettner serves as the chairperson of the Hartselle Educator Hall of Fame and attends Hartselle First United Methodist Church. 

Buettner’s role will come into effect Sept 1. Her contract lasts through Dec. 31 or until a permanent superintendent is hired at Hartselle City Schools.  

Board president Dr. James Joy said the board is pleased to have Buettner as the interim while the search for a new leader continues.  

Next steps, Joy said, are to approve and post a job listing for the open position. The board will then narrow down the applicants to a list of finalists who will sit for public interviews before a decision is made.  

Board member Randy Sparkman said the board is considering a town hall type meeting or survey to receive community feedback on the next superintendent.  

“We are committed to ensuring that we have input from (HCS) staff and the community,” he said. “We are working to finalize a forum.” 

Dr. Dee Dee Jones will retire Sept. 1 after serving as the Hartselle superintendent since 2017. Jones announced her resignation to the board July 12. She said she is taking opportunity in the private sector after 34 years in education.