After having served in the role for nearly a decade, Dr. Shane Barnette was sworn in as the elected superintendent for the Cullman County School District for the first time Thursday, Dec. 12, alongside two new school board members.

Barnette was appointed to lead the district by board members in 2016. Due to a ballot initiative which reverted the superintendent to an elected position in 2022, Barnette ran a successful primary campaign earlier this year. There were no Democratic challengers during the general election in November.

Barnette kept his comments brief as he took his oath of office Thursday, Dec.12, alongside his wife, Kristi, but did offer kind words for the two outgoing board members Gene Sullins and Heath Allbright. He said one of the biggest accomplishments during the last eight years has been completing roughly $70 million in infrastructure projects throughout the district while simultaneously growing the reserve budget to more than three months.

“We’ve brought our school system’s facilities into the new century. We’ve replaced a lot of buildings,” Barnette said. “Beyond the infrastructure, we’ve got policies and procedures in place that, regardless of who is in these roles, that we hope the great things that are happening now will continue to happen for many years.”

Neither Allbright nor Sullins chose to seek reelection. Sullins’ replacement, Larry Duke, was also sworn in Thursday, Dec. 12, as was Allbrights’ replacement, Richard Hays.

Administrators from Sullins’ district covering West Point and Harmony schools presented him with a commemorative plaque to show their appreciation. He said he planned to proudly display it in his shooting house at the hunting club he frequents.

Patrick Camp can be reached at pcamp@cullmantimes.com or by phone at 256-734-2131 ext. 238.