FREE CONTENT — Turner chosen as Buckatunna School Principal

By Paul Keane

The Wayne County News

A career educator in Alabama was named as the new Principal at 
Buckatunna School during a Monday meeting of the Wayne County Board of 
Education.

Christi Turner was hired to replace Michael Hall, who moved to the 
position of Maintenance/Transportation Director on July 1. Turner brings 
a wealth of teaching and administrative experience with her to the new 
post.

"I am super ecstatic to have her on our team," said Superintendent of 
Education Dr. Carol Jones. "She is going to do great things for 
Buckatunna School.

"Now, we need the community to rally around here, the teachers, the 
staff and the students."

Turner said she is excited to be coming to Buckatunna after nearly three 
decades in the Mobile County (Ala.) School District.

"I am on fire to get in there and start working with the teachers and 
staff," she said. "I am so happy to be a part of the Buckatunna staff 
and the community.

"I'm eager to get in there and start learning about everyone and working 
with them to make Buckatunna even better."

Turner retired from the Mobile system afer 29 years. She was Principal 
at Old Shell Road Elementary for eight years and has taught everything 
from Pre-K through high school. She has also served as both a Night 
School and Summer School Principal.

The decision by the school board did not come easily, as members went 
into an executive session for 52 minutes before coming out to make a 
decision.

Beat 1 Member Anetia Beal-Norsworthy made the motion to hire Turner, 
which was seconded by Beat 3 Member Marion Chapman.

Chapman and Beal-Norsworthy voted in favor of the recommendation from 
Jones while Beat 4 Member Russell "Rusty" Pitts voted against it.

Beat 5 Member Lori Bunch Hardin deliberated in her mind for an extended 
period of time, often putting her clinched hands in front of her face. 
She even made inaudible comments to both Chapman and Beat 2 Member Wilma 
Taylor as she wrestled with her decision.

Finally, she voted yes to the recommendation, with Taylor also voting 
yes to make it a 4-1 vote.