By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alabaster School System leaders cited previous involvement with federal aid programs and in-depth school experience in naming Thompson Intermediate School Principal Dr. Ke Jones as the system’s coordinator of federal programs.

The Alabaster Board of Education voted unanimously during its June 17 meeting to promote Jones to the central office position. Through her new job, Jones will manage the school system’s federal aid programs – such as Title I – which provide funding based on the number of free- and reduced-price lunch students in several schools.

“She is already working in a Title I school, so she knows how to budget and manage the program,” said ACS Coordinator of Exceptional Education Keri Johnson, who served on the committee to fill the federal program director position.

The school system’s former federal program coordinator, Latanza Harrison, recently took a position as the ACS human resources director.

“I am elated to work on the central office level,” Jones said during an interview after the June 17 meeting. “I am very excited to be able to work with all the schools on a new level.

“It’s bittersweet to be leaving all my kids and parents at TIS, but I will still be able to work with them in this new role,” Jones added. “I am truly honored. I will be working with a great group of central office staff.”

Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers said Jones, who has been working in Alabaster schools for the past seven years, was a “perfect” fit for the central office spot.

“We are well on our way to being champions of our future,” Vickers said.

Jones’ move came during the same meeting the School Board also appointed a new Thompson High School principal, and came a few weeks after a few other city schools saw administration changes.