New Daleville superintendent named

The search for a new superintendent for Daleville City Schools is over. School board members voted unanimously Wednesday afternoon, June 8, to hire Interim Superintendent Dr. Diane Flournoy as the system’s new leader.

Flournoy has worked within the city’s school system for more than 33 years as a teacher, principal and assistant superintendent. She was named interim superintendent Feb. 17 after long-time Superintendent Andrew Kelley resigned Feb. 2.

The pay scale for Flournoy has not been determined, but contract negotiations will be taking place during the coming days to determine terms including pay and benefits.

The advertisement for the position indicated the salary for a new hire would be in the range of $100,000 to $110,000 annually, negotiable, depending on education and experience. The position, as posted by the board, requires a minimal education at the master’s degree level; Alabama superintendent certification; three years of successful educational experience as a principal, assistant superintendent during the five years prior to selection; and five years of public school experience “preferably at the elementary and secondary levels combined.” According to Flournoy’s resume’, she meets and exceeds all of the posted requirements.

Andrew Kelley was paid $134,640 annually, according to the Alabama Department of Education website.

Flournoy will finish out the month of June as the interim superintendent and begin her new position July 1.

In a March interview with the Sun-Courier, Flournoy said, 

“I understand the true purpose,” said Flournoy in March during an interview with the Sun-Courier, “I understand that it is going to take discipline, knowledge, time and commitment and with that being understood I am ready to serve in helping to make the most positive difference for our students and our community…

“I have a real passion for my calling of being an educator. I am doing what I love to do. My primary goal is to set the focus and stay true to it, by doing what is best for all of our students. I am just a cog in the wheel. It is a joint effort of the school board, administration, faculty, staff, students, parents/guardians and community, all of us working together.”

Read more on this story in next week’s Daleville Sun-Courier.