By Gary Lloyd

TRUSSVILLE – Trussville City Schools has its acting superintendent.

The Trussville City Schools Board of Education on Oct. 13 hired Frank Costanzo to lead the school system on an interim basis. Costanzo retired as the superintendent of Tuscaloosa County Schools in 2012. He has more than 40 years of experience in education as a teacher, bus driver, assistant principal, principal, central office director, assistant superintendent and superintendent. He has spent 10 years in educational consulting.

“This school district has earned a reputation for academic excellence, and the boundless opportunities offered beyond the classroom setting provide enriching learning experience for students at all levels,” Costanzo said.

[Related: Trussville leaders address school threats]

Since retiring, Costanzo has served as interim superintendent in Demopolis, Talladega, Sylacauga and Pell City. He currently is employed with Criterion K12 Consultants in Birmingham as an educational consultant as well as working part time with the Alabama State Department of Education.

“I think he’ll be a nice fit in an acting role for us in the days and weeks to come,” said Board of Education member Mark Sims.

Board Vice President Kim DeShazo said Costanzo meets all the characteristics a person can to meet the needs of this position. He brings a level of experience, she said, that helps with crisis management.

“He just has a good demeanor about him,” she said.

Board member Steve Ward, who did not vote on the hire because he joined the meeting remotely via Zoom, said he was impressed with Costanzo’s experience and called him an “ideal candidate.” The most impressive thing about him, Ward said, was his focus on students and teachers and not about himself.

“That, to me, probably hit home as much as anything else,” Ward said.

The Board of Education next meets Monday, Oct. 17 at 4 p.m.