Board approves coach, choral leader

By Staff
John Hicks FCT Staff Writer
With the 2005-06 school year drawing to a close, the Russellville City Board of Education approved the hiring of two new teachers to replace departing Russellville Middle School and Russellville High School choral director Patti Kimbrough and RHS defensive coordinator Coach Robert Jeter.
On Thursday, the board welcomed new choral director David Michael Giambrone and Coach Kelvis White.
Russellville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Wayne Ray said that Giambrone and White topped the lists of job candidates provided by the search committee.
Giambrone will be leaving his current job at Sparkman High School in Harvest, Ala., to join Russellville's faculty. He has lived and taught in the Huntsville area since 1996.
"Russellville is well known for its commitment to education," said Giambrone, who brings 11 years of teaching experience to his new post. "I'm extremely excited by this opportunity. I know how much the fine arts mean to Russellville schools, which have a rich tradition of excellence. It's a thrill to be a part of it."
Born and raised in Birmingham, Giambrone's resume includes one item not found on those of most choral directors. He played football for the University of Alabama-Birmingham shortly before it became a Division III school.
"Those were the days when you had to pay to be on the team," said Giambrone, wryly recalling his gridiron days. "We were everybody's homecoming."
Giambrone was the PA announcer for Sparkman High School football last season.
"My wife and I are big high school football fans," said Giambrone. "We're really looking forward to this fall."
This summer, Giambrone will be meeting with RHS Principal Rex Mayfield to work out plans for the coming school year.
"I want to continue the top-notch level of music instruction that Patti Kimbrough started here," said Giambrone. "The goal is to reach as many students as possible."
Giambrone said he hopes to draw on the dramatic and vocal talents of Russellville students who want to take musical theater to the next level.
"I've been involved in musical theater for 20 years," said Giambrone. "I haven't decided which shows we'll produce next year, but I do want to encourage all of the actors and singers at RHS to play a role."
White, a defensive lineman at The University of Alabama from 1997-2000, comes to RHS from Homewood High School, where he was defensive line coach.
Several board members mentioned how good it will be to have White on the RHS sideline, alluding to the three season-ending defeats Homewood has dealt the Golden Tigers in recent years.
"I'm happy to be a part of this family," said White. "I look forward to the coming school year."
In other news, the board:
The next regular scheduled meeting of the Russellville City Board of Education is May 11.