By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

PELHAM—The Pelham Board of Education appointed Dr. Scott Coefield as the permanent superintendent of the Pelham City School System during a specially called meeting April 22.

Among the diverse group of qualified applicants for the superintendent position, “one name especially stood out,” said Pelham Board of Education president Rick Rhoades of newly appointed Coefield.

Coefield has extensive experience in academia, both as an educator and as an administrator. After graduating from Auburn, he worked as a history teacher and coach for the Cleburne County High School. He remained with the Cleburne school system for twenty years, serving as an assistant principal, principal and superintendent. Coefield is currently the superintendent of the Oneonta City School System.

Coefield is well known in his profession and was sought after by several other school systems, however, he expressed confidence in his decision of coming to Pelham.

“There is no question in my mind where I fit,” Coefield said of Pelham and it’s new school system.

The process to build the new school system is “not going to be easy,” Coefield said, but he has goals in place to “make everything work on the first day of school,” starting with a straightforward budget aligned with strategic planning.

“Budgeting is a strong point of mine,” Coefield said. “(It) will guide our process.”

Coefield also spoke about the importance of planning a strong curriculum through “setting expectations” and the hard work of “good teachers.” This will not be “a cookie cutter approach,” Coefield said, explaining that planning will occur both horizontally, through communication between teachers across subjects in each grade, as well as vertically, ensuring that the curriculum connects year by year.

Finally, Coefield discussed the development of a sense of pride in the new Pelham City School System.

“I want the name on the shirt to mean something,” Coefield said.

Coefield will assume the position of superintendent for the Pelham City School System on July 1, replacing Dr. Tim Alford who has served as the interim superintendent since Jan. 21.

“The board is happy to have you,” Board of Education member Dr. Barbara Regan said to Coefield. “Welcome aboard.”