VHHS Principal Transferred, Students Petition For His Return

VESTAVIA HILLS, AL — The Vestavia Hills Board of Education approved the transfer of Vestavia Hills High School principal Dr. Tyler Burgess to the school system's the remote learning model. However, some VHHS students are not pleased with the decision.

Tonya Rozell, previously the principal at Liberty Park Middle School, was named principal at the high school, and Roger Dobnikar, former assistant principal at Liberty Park, will serve as interim principal in Rozell's place.

The board made the announcement Friday, and within hours, VHHS student Gray Goodspeed had started a petition on Change.org to get Burgess reinstated at VHHS principal.

"Dr. Burgess is not only a remarkable principal, but he is also a man of highest integrity and genuinely cares for each student and faculty member," Goodspeed said via the petition site. "Dr. Burgess was a major supporter of all extracurricular activities. He came to every game and concert and supported all arts and sports.

"We, the Vestavia Hills High School student body, as well as parents, teachers, and community members are in full support of reinstating Dr. Burgess as Principal of Vestavia Hills High School."

Vestavia schools will begin August 20, a decision made by the board Friday. Students in grades 6-12 who chose in-person learning will move to an alternating day schedule to reduce the number of people on campus each day. Students in Pre-K through 5th grade who chose in-person learning will attend school in person all week.