Supt. Mike Faulk Considering Whether To Withdraw Appointment of Principal

CENTRAL — Central schools Supt. Mike Faulk said Wednesday he is still considering what action to recommend regarding the appointment of a new principal for Central Middle School.

Last week, Supt. Faulk recommended the appointment of Al Chapman, former superintendent of the Channelton School System as the new principal for Central Middle.  The Central school board unanimously approved his recommendation.

However, immediately after the meeting, several parents began doing a Google search on Mr. Chapman and learned that he had been dismissed from his previous employment.

After the parents raised questions about the circumstances of Mr. Chapman’s dismissal, Supt. Faulk said he would gather more information and report back to the school board.

In an interview with the Central City News Wednesday, Faulk said he is still reviewing the situation and will make a recommendation to the board Monday night.

Faulk said he could do one of two things:

• Allow the appointment to stand

• Recommend that the appointment be reconsidered

Faulk said the top four finalists for the position were very close and that he could choose another qualified individual.

One source who has researched Mr. Chapman said his dismissal appears to have been political and not based on any serious problem and that that may be why Supt. Faulk has hesitated to withdraw the appointment.

School board president Dr. Jim Gardner said he is not sure what the board will do if Supt. Faulk recommends standing by the appointment of Mr. Chapman.

“Mr. Chapman would probably do a good job, but I’m not sure this controversy would serve him well if he were appointed.  The position at the middle school requires a very strong hand, and I wonder if he would constantly be second-guessed over the things that happened in Indiana.”

Gardner said the controversy over the appointment of Mr. Chapman points to a flaw in Gov. Jindal’s education reform bill.

“After July 1, when the new law goes into effect, the school board and the public will have no role in the appointment of principals or any other positions.  The education reform bill puts hiring 100 percent in the hands of the superintendent.  I opposed and lobbied against that provision of the law.  It completely strips the board of any power over hiring.  Fortunately, Supt. Faulk has voluntarily agreed to continue to consult the board on hiring issues, but what about the next superintendent?  This law really needs to be changed.”

— By Woody Jenkins, Editor