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By MACKENZEE SIMMS | Staff Writer  

PELHAM – In her almost 26 years at Pelham High School, current principal Kim Kiel has served in several positions from teacher to coach to athletic director. But now, Kiel faces an entirely new challenge as she prepares to step in to the role of assistant superintendent of Pelham City Schools.

At the PCS Board of Education meeting on Monday, Oct. 28, Pelham City Schools announced Kiel’s promotion to assistant superintendent. In her new role, Kiel will utilize the knowledge she has learned over the span of her career in Pelham and apply those lessons on a district-wide scale.

“Over the past 26 years, I have been fortunate to serve in various roles across our district, and I have seen firsthand the dedication and passion that make our schools special,” Kiel said. “This position brings with it the chance to support our entire district in an even broader capacity, and I am excited to work alongside our community to help ensure the continued success of our students.”

Current Superintendent Chuck Ledbetter praised Kiel’s contributions to the school district.

“Kim Kiel has been an outstanding educational leader at Pelham High School, and her dedication to school culture, achievement and strong community connections has made a lasting impact,” Ledbetter said. “We look forward to her bringing that same commitment and loyalty to the district as a whole.”

Kiel’s career in Pelham began 1999. Since then, she has served as a teacher, coach, athletic director and system athletic director, before being promoted to principal of Pelham High School in 2020.

In addition, Kiel has received several awards during her career, including the Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals’ Principal of the Year award for District 5, the Alabama High School Athletic Association’s Athletic Director of the Year award and the AHSAA Making a Difference Award.

Kiel is a graduate of the Alabama Superintendent’s Academy and Leadership Shelby County. She also serves as the vice president of the AHSAA Central Board of Control.

Kiel will continue her role as principal of Pelham High School until Friday, Nov. 8. After that, current assistant principal Sabrina Tutchtone will act as interim principal until a new principal is named.

Those interested in more information about Pelham City Schools can visit Pelhamcityschools.org.