Public Notice: City Council opposes any action by the current Board of Education to hire a superintendent for Pell City Schools

The City Council of the City of Pell City will not participate in a Superintendent search led by the current Board of Education, and it requests that the current Board not appoint the next Superintendent for Pell City Schools.

In a Special Called Meeting on Monday, April 21, 2025, the City Council passed Resolution 2025-36 in a 5-0 vote. The resolution can be read here:

2025 – 36 – Concerning Appointment of the Next Superintendent of the Pell City School SystemDownload

In Resolution 2025-36, the City Council resolves that allowing the outgoing board to appoint the superintendent would undermine the will of the voters who approved Amendment 1018 to the Constitution of Alabama (Local Amendment 1) and disenfranchise the incoming board members from participating in this critical decision. The message is simplified as follows:

  • Choosing a superintendent is the most important decision for a Board of Education.
  • Under Local Constitutional Amendment 1, the City Council will appoint the next Board in a matter of months.
  • The Board composition WILL change, with at least two new members who are County residents.
  • This year marks the first time County residents who attend PCSS will have a voice in the selection of their leader.
  • A Board that fully represents the entire school community should make this decision.

As stated in Resolution 2025-36, “… it would be unfair and inequitable if the current Board of Education selected the next Superintendent days or weeks before the first Board of Education members from the County portion of the Pell City School System take office. Such a result would clearly undermine the intent of the voters when they approved Local Constitutional Amendment 1.”

The resolution raises other reasons for postponing this decision, including consideration for potential candidates for the Superintendent position. The City Council believes that candidates of the highest quality might not apply since, at this time, they cannot know who they will be working for in November.

In support of Local Constitutional Amendment 1 and its purpose, the City Council opposes any action by the current Board of Education to hire a superintendent for Pell City Schools.

Resources

Pell City Sees Unprecedented Interest in Board of Education Appointments

The City of Pell City and the Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee are thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of the recent application process for appointment to the Pell City Board of Education. The application process drew 47 applicants, far surpassing expectations and showing significant community interest in education.

This interest exceeds the cumulative number of candidates who qualified to run for the elected Board of Education, which was in place from 1992-2024. The Pell City Board of Education was established in 1982 and was initially appointed by the City Council.

“This is exactly what we hoped for,” said Mayor Bill Pruitt. “We aimed to attract the best and brightest candidates from our city and the Pell City Schools Attendance Zone, individuals who are passionate about serving our students but may not have had an interest in the political election process. The response has been remarkable.”

Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is equally enthusiastic about the exceptional quality of the applicant pool. While expressing gratitude to all who dedicated their time and effort to apply, the Committee acknowledges that not all applicants will be recommended.

“While we wish we could recommend each of the applicants for appointment, we want to emphasize that your continued participation and investment in our schools are invaluable, regardless of the outcome of this particular selection process,” Steering Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson said. “The application process will be open again annually, providing future opportunities to serve.”

This unique circumstance, resulting from a November 2024 referendum returning the Board to an appointed body, involves the City Council filling five seats in 2025. The Steering Committee requests public patience as they navigate this process.

The Committee, in its most recent meeting, concluded that the public can anticipate public interviews at a later date. However, procedural details are currently being finalized. Updates regarding interview schedules and procedures will be released as soon as they are available.

The City of Pell City and the Steering Committee are committed to a transparent and fair selection process and are grateful for the community’s continued support and engagement.

Application for Appointment to the Pell City Board of Education now available

During its regular meeting on Monday, February 24, the City Council for the City of Pell City unanimously approved a formal application for appointment and the window for residents to apply for the Pell City Board of Education in 2025.

The official application is now available to download or to complete as a digital form at pell-city.com/education.

Over the past two months, the Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee, a seven-member board assembled in 2024 by the City Council, has worked to develop the application. Their process included the review of more than a dozen appointment procedures and applications from across the United States.

“The Committee has taken its assignment seriously, and its members have worked to create a robust document meant to identify those who will deliver excellence in all aspects of Pell City Schools,” said Steering Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson.

The 5-page application includes thought-provoking essay questions, educational information about board of education service in Alabama, and a thorough explanation of the local appointment process now required under Alabama Act 2024-111, which was passed last November by St. Clair County voters.

During the meeting, the Council also approved the Committee’s timeline for delivering its recommendations for appointment. In a document delivered to the City containing the Committee’s recommendations, Furgerson concluded that appointments should be made this summer.

Steering Committee Recommendations to Council

2025-2-11 – Steering Commitee Recommended Action PlanDownload

“The most critical time for a board of education member is during the late summer, especially leading into the beginning of the new school year,” the Committee’s recommendations read. “During this time, school administration is analyzing data from the previous year, setting goals for the upcoming year, and most importantly developing the budget for the year to follow.”

The City Council approved the Committee’s recommendation and adopted the following timeline to receive recommended candidates:

  • Feb. 25, 2025: Release of the official Application for Appointment
  • March 31, 2025: Close Application submissions at 5 p.m.
  • April 30, 2025: Completion of applicant review and selection of candidates for interview
  • May 24, 2025: Completion of all candidate interviews
  • June 1, 2025: Recommendation of candidates for appointment to City Council

Individuals seeking appointment to the Board of Education must submit a completed application to the City of Pell City by 5 p.m. on March 31, 2025.  Applications received after the deadline or incomplete applications will not be considered.

The Application for Appointment can be found at pell-city.com/education.

Board of Education Steering Committee to deliver first report to City Council

The Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee met in January, its second meeting, to review and revise a draft application for appointment to the Pell City Board of Education. The City Council anticipates a progress update from the Committee this month.

The Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee is comprised of Tammie Williams, Monique Bowman, Rusty Jessup, Jeff Jones, Cory Bline, Roland St. John, and Kelly Furgerson.

During its January meeting, the Committee organized the criteria it will use to solicit ideal applicants for the Pell City Board of Education. According to Steering Committee Chair Kelly Furgerson, the foundation of the application for appointment will use specific language about the most desirable characteristics for Pell City BOE members. These traits include:

  • Willingness to give sufficient time and effort
  • A belief in the spirit and need for public education
  • The ability to motivate other people
  • The capacity to understand people
  • The insight needed to work as part of a cooperative body
  • Devotion to the concept of a better society through education
  • Commitment to a high expectation for student achievement
  • Commitment to a high expectation for quality instruction
  • The ability to define a vision for excellence and the goals for its achievement

Committee members are fully engaged and moving quickly. Their work has focused on creating the draft application for appointment and timeline. When ready, both will be presented to the City Council and, if approved, released to the public.

The Committee report to the City Council is expected to include actionable recommendations for the next steps in transitioning the Board of Education from an elected to an appointed board.

About the Steering Committee

The City Council appointed the seven Pell City Board of Education Steering Committee members in October 2024. The Steering Committee is comprised of Tammie Williams, Monique Bowman, Rusty Jessup, Jeff Jones, Cory Bline, Roland St. John, and Kelly Furgerson.

Among other responsibilities, the Committee was tasked with interviewing and recommending future members of the Pell City Board of Education to the City Council for appointment. Its members are serving an initial term of two years.

Members of the Steering Committee committed to drafting an application that reflects their intentions of recommending the best possible candidates for appointment to the Pell City Board of Education.

Steering Committee Activity

  • December 17, 2024: Organizational Meeting
  • January 23, 2025: Application Roundtable

The Steering Committee was activated in November 2024 and held its organizational meeting at the close of the year. During the meeting, Committee members reviewed applications for Board member appointments from across the nation.

Committee members met in January to discuss the application for appointment, consider applicant criteria, and suggest information and questions that should be included in the final document.

“The members of the Steering Committee are committed to a transparent and thorough process for recommending the very best individuals to serve on our Board of Education,” said Furgerson, who was elected Chair of the Committee during the initial meeting. “We take our responsibility seriously and are dedicated to ensuring the application process is fair, equitable, and accessible to all qualified candidates.”

About the Appointed Board of Education

Amendment 1, proposed by Sen. Lance Bell, sought to correct education governance issues in St. Clair County by converting the Pell City Board of Education from elected to appointed. This change was approved by St. Clair County voters in the November 2024 General Election. Appointments will be made by the City Council.

The measure dictates that at least two members of the appointed Board must reside in the county portion of the Pell City Schools Attendance Zone and Tax District, which includes the areas of Riverside, New London, and Cook Springs, among others.

The Board of Education plays a vital role in shaping the future of our community by overseeing the district’s educational policies and ensuring the success of the district’s more than 4,000 students. Those interested in an appointment to the Board are encouraged to follow the City’s official communication channels for updated information.