AISD boasts new administration

Alto Independent School District is under new management.

AISD has instated new leadership at all levels, with the installation of a new superintendent, principals and counselors at all three campuses for the 2018-19 school year – all of whom were promoted from within the district.

Former Alto Middle School Principal Kelly West was hired as superintendent in March, when former Superintendent Kerry Birdwell retired. West taught at AISD for 20 years before moving into an administrative position as the Alto Middle School principal.

“I started as a substitute teacher here 25 years ago,” West said, adding she taught at both the Elementary and Middle school campuses before being promoted to principal of Alto Middle School 12 years ago.

“I felt like the time was right for me to make the transition to superintendent,” West said. “I want to take the successes I had at the Middle School and transfer all those positives to the rest of the district.”

Moving into West’s former position as Alto Middle School principal is Brandi Tiner. Tiner had served as the counselor for the Middle and Elementary schools for the last three years.

“It is with great excitement to be the newly appointed principal of Alto Middle School,” Tiner said in a statement on the AISD website. “I am honored to have the opportunity to lead such a great school. I have been dedicated to the field of education and have worked with a variety of students ranging from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade with the majority of my experience being on the middle school level. I am eager to bring my teaching and counseling experience to the principal chair and work closely with you as a partner in education to ensure your child’s success.”

Taking Tiner’s place as AMS and AES councilor is Krystin Lucas. Lucas has been an educator for six year and taught math at Alto Middle School for the last two years.

“I am so excited and blessed to be part of the Alto ISD family,” Lucas stated in a message on the AISD website. “I am so excited and ready to start this year as Alto Elementary and Middle School Counselor. I am looking forward to an awesome year and to assisting students in any and every way that I can. I have gotten to know lots of them over the last few years and can’t wait to get to know each and every one of them this upcoming year.”

Former ASID sixth grade teacher Dimitri Starovic is now the high school counselor as well.

Rusk resident Candis Mabry is taking over as Alto Elementary principal.

“I am very honored to be the new Alto Elementary principal,” Mabry stated on the AISD website. “My family and I appreciate the kindness that has been shown to us by the Alto community. I look forward to serving as your principal and working with your students to help them be successful.
“It is our goal at AES to ensure that our students are provided the best academic experience possible. At AES we want to provide an environment that is safe, fun, and challenging. I look forward to what the new school year has to offer!”

And moving into the AHS principal position is Shanequa Redd-Dorsey. Dorsey started her education career at a teacher and coach at AISD. She’s also worked at the Jacksonville ISD and for the last four years served as assistant principal at John Tyler High School in Tyler.

“I would like to take this opportunity to express my extreme honor and excitement as being named the new principal of Alto High School,” Dorsey said in a statement on the AISD website. “As a former Alto ISD employee, I am looking forward to renewing and building positive rapport with the students, staff, community stakeholders, and the Alto community at large. As I contemplate the upcoming school year, I am filled with excitement about this new journey on which we are about to embark!”

Other new administrators include Director of Assessment and Special Programs Paula Low and Director of Curriculum and Instruction Misty Townsend.