Demopolis school board OKs $1.2M HVAC contract, discusses adding male cheerleaders at DHS

Demopolis City School board on Monday approved a $1.2 million contract to replace multiple heating and air conditioning units at three schools.

The board also discussed expanding the Demopolis High School cheerleading team to include male students. 

The HVAC bid from Frasier Ousley and R&D Mechanical in Selma that was approved Monday night replaces 42 units at Westside Elementary, US Jones Elementary and Demopolis Middle School. It includes a five-year extended warranty for parts. 

The nearly $1.2 million bid was nearly half the price of the other four bids. The highest bid came in at nearly $2 million, according to Superintendent Adam Pugh. 

Pugh said Frasier Ousley was able to put in a lower bid because they won’t need a subcontractor as R&D Mechanical operates under their roof.

In other business, the Demopolis City Schools Board of Education discussed guidelines for adding male students to the currently all-girl cheer squad to create a co-ed team.

Demopolis High School cheer coaches Kathleen Randall and Andy Turberville told board members that interest from male students has grown and that they are “100 percent in favor” of moving to a co-ed model. The coaches said male cheerleaders would not replace female participants or take existing spots on the all-girl squad. Instead, the proposal would add positions designed specifically for boys, with separate expectations and skill requirements.

Under the plan, male cheerleaders would have different tryout material aligned with national standards from the Universal Cheerleaders Association, the group that hosts the annual summer camp that Demopolis High attends. Athletic Director Mark Heaton said UCA guidelines already provide a framework for co-ed programs, including an emphasis on stunting and strength-based skills.

Tryouts for male participants would include cheers and chants but exclude dance routines and jumps typically performed by female squads. Coaches said motions would be tailored to the role, and participants would wear separate uniforms rather than traditional skirts and pom-poms. The goal, they said, is to create a distinct but unified look similar to established co-ed programs across Alabama.

Board members were shown examples of co-ed teams, including a program at Daphne High School, whose competitive cheer team has achieved statewide success. Coaches said expanding the program could help Demopolis increase stunt difficulty, improve safety through structured training and eventually compete at a higher level. DHS cheer currently only competes at summer UCA camps. The expansion to co-ed could open the door to enter ASHAA competitions yearround, Turberville said.

“We want to build because the interest is there,” Randall said.

Turberville, who is a teacher in the district, said students involved in extracurricular activities often perform better academically and male cheerleaders could contribute to stronger school spirit and crowd engagement. Last football season, the team added male students to serve as flag runners that helped energize games, Turberville said.

Interest includes a current male Demopolis Middle School student with a gymnastics background who could bring specialized tumbling skills. It would also open potential pathways for male students to get college recruitment and scholarships.

If approved, detailed written guidelines would be provided to students ahead of tryouts to clearly outline expectations, uniforms and skill requirements. Judges would evaluate participants using a non-biased process, like how girl cheer is conducted.

Turberville said expanding the program represents an effort to grow alongside changing times while strengthening community pride and school involvement.

“There has to be a first,” she told the board, emphasizing that the move could mark a new chapter for Demopolis cheerleading and the broader athletic culture within the district.