By Joshua Huff, sports editor
BIRMINGHAM — A familiar face will head the Jefferson County School District as the Board of Education unanimously approved on Thursday to strip the interim tag in front of Dr. Walter Gonsoulin Jr.’s name and bestow upon him the title of superintendent.
Gonsoulin became the first African American to head the system in its 200 years of existence when he was named the interim superintendent in September. He had temporarily replaced Dr. Craig Pouncey, who had been superintendent of the 35,700-student Jefferson County school district since 2014.
“I’m so happy to be able to appoint Dr. Gonsoulin,” Jefferson County Board of Education Vice President Ronnie Dixon said. “He’s a man of faith, and a man most recognized as being a remarkable leader. His energy and passion for Jefferson County schools is obvious. We appreciate it.”
The Board of Education had advertised the opening throughout the past 30 days, where in which just one applicant applied: Gonsoulin
“The fact that only one candidate formerly applied should not be construed as a lack of interest for the position, but rather as other applicants undoubtedly realized that after his appointment as interim superintendent that Dr. Gonsoulin was the right choice to lead the Jefferson County school system for the foreseeable future and elected to not apply for the job,” Dixon said.
Gonsoulin joined the Jefferson County school system in 2017 as a deputy superintendent of school and community support. Prior to that, he served as superintendent of Fairfield City Schools for five years, which was a job he took in 2012 after moving from an assistant superintendent’s post in Starkville, Mississippi.
In Other News
- The Jefferson County Commission presented the Board of Education with a $6 million check thanks in part to the one-cent sales tax. Now, each year, $18 million is divided between the various school systems.
- Ninety ESL students who scored proficient on ACCESS were honored in front of the board. The process is the first step in earning the Seal of Biliteracy.
