By By KERRY WHIPPLE BEAN – Publisher
Billy Hines' phone was ringing off the hook Friday morning - with good reason.
The school board voted Thursday evening to pick Hines to succeed Melvin &#8220Buck” Powell.
After narrowing four candidates to Hines and A.C. Moore Principal David Nolin, the board voted 5-2 by ballot.
Then, in the &#8220spirit of unity,” as school board Chairman Mike Goolsby put it, the board voted unanimously by voice vote to choose Hines.
Hines said Powell, who will retire as of July 1, has been a good mentor for him.
A crowd awaited the board's decision Thursday, with about 80 people waiting in the courtroom at the county courthouse for the board to exit its executive session and make a decision.
Five candidates had interviewed for the position - Hines, Nolin, Andalusia High School Principal Daniel Shakespeare, W.S. Neal High School Assistant Principal Randall Little and Larry Collier, principal of an elementary school in Decatur.
Shakespeare dropped out of the running before the board voted.
In his interview earlier this month, Hines said his goals would include improving academics, involving principals and staff members in planning and paying down debt on the district's two newest schools.
Hines said Friday he is grateful the school district is in good financial shape, thanks in part to fiscal management and to an ad valorem tax increase voters approved in 2003.
Hines said he has not chosen a successor for his own position, but the school district will advertise for that job and pick the most qualified person. &#8220I plan on surrounding myself with good quality people,” he said.