There seems to be some confusion as to who does what in Hoover City Schools (HCS).  There also seems to be confusion as to how people get to their positions in Hoover City Schools.  This article will attempt to explain it.

We’ll begin with “who does what” in HCS.

Superintendent

The “head” of Hoover City Schools is the superintendent, however, the superintendent can only do what the Board of Education permits him or her to do.    The Board members have no power individually, only as a body.  The Board also can’t make “rules” only policy.

The superintendent makes recommendations to the Board and the Board either approves or declines those recommendations.  This applies to personnel issues as well.

School personnel follow an organizational chart.  Individual school employees report to the principal of that school, who makes hiring and firing decisions that are approved by the Board.  Principals report to the superintendent.  HCS employees who do not work at a school report to their department heads, who report to the superintendent.

The superintendent is hired by the Board of Education.  Once hired, the superintendent is given a contract for a certain number of years, normally three.  The superintendent’s performance is, or should be, evaluated on a yearly basis by the Board of Education, with the results discussed at a Regular Board Meeting.

Board of Education

School districts can have either appointed or elected members.  It is better to have appointed members.  Hoover has appointed members.

The Board of Education consists of five members who are appointed by the City Council.  Each member serves a five-year staggered term.  Board members serve from June 1 to May 31.  Appointments by the City Council are made in April.

Once a Board member is appointed and sworn in, no member of the city government may interfere with their duties.  They also cannot be removed by the city government.  Alabama Code Title 16-1-41 covers Education, including roles, responsibilities, qualifications, appointments, and removal of Board members.

Presiding and speaking on behalf of the Board of Education is the Board President.  Traditionally the last year of a Board member’s term they are elected as President.  The President works with the Superintendent to set the Agenda, as well as conducting the meetings.  Each President has brought their own method to the meetings.

In 2008 a new process began on how Board members are appointed.  In February the Council chair of the Education Committee announce that they will accept applications for Board of Education.  They will state the dates the applications will be taken and the closing date.

Once the closing date has been reached, the applicants will undergo a qualification check, background check, and public interviews.  Once the interviews are complete, the Council will make their appointment on the last Council meeting of April.

Prior to 2008, there was no formal process to appoint Board members.

Once a Board members term expires, they have the option to reapply for another term.  The City Council is under no obligation to reappoint them.

The Board of Education is governed by the Alabama Open Meetings Act.  They cannot meet without the public present (Executive Sessions excluded) and they must give 24 hour notice of an upcoming meeting.

City Council

There are seven members on the City Council.  In Hoover those members are “at-large”, meaning they don’t represent districts, so the entire city votes for all members.  Terms are for four years (the 2020 term is for five years in order to change the election cycle to a non-general election cycle).

In a Nutshell

The residents of Hoover vote for the City Council.

The City Council appoints the Board of Education. Once appointed, neither the mayor nor the City Council may interfere with the Board of Education or the superintendent.

The Board of Education hires the superintendent.

The superintendent makes recommendations to the Board of Education who approve or deny the recommendations.

Board Membership – 2022 and Beyond

Current Board President Amy Tosney is in her first term which expires in 2022.  It is unknown if she will reapply.

Board Vice-President Amy Mudano is in her first term which expires in 2023.  Her appointed was after heated debate between Councilor Derrick Murphy and other Councilors.  Council members have publicly said that they will not consider her for reappointment after she voted in favor or masks in August 2021.

Board Member Craig Kelley is in his second term, and it expires in 2024.  Mr. Kelley is well known for his expertise in the legislative issues that deal with the Board.

Board Member Kermit Kendrick is in his second term, which expires in 2025.  He originally was appointed to complete the term of Jill Ganus, who was appointed in 2015, and who resigned  in 2017, after accepting a judgeship.  Mr. Kendrick voted in favor of masks in 2021.

Board Member Alan Paquette is in his first term.  Mr. Paquette voted against masks. Mr. Paquette’s appointment came after a controversial move by newly appointed Education Chair Councilor Steve McClinton.  Since 2008, it was customary to interview all applicants for the Board.  Mr. McClinton opted to interview only 7 of the 14 candidates who applied (there were 15 applicants, but one withdrew their application).

Dr. Dee Fowler is the Superintendent of Schools.  Dr. Fowler was hired in 2021 after the Board interviews five candidates.  None of the candidates met the requirements that the Board was looking for, so they hired Dr. Fowler without a public interview.    Dr. Fowler succeeded Dr. Kathy Murphy, who resigned in order to accept a position as a university president.

History of Cronyism

Prior to 2008 there was no formal process to appointing Board members.  In 2006 two members were appointed, Suzy Baker and A.W. Bolt.  One was completing a term of a member who had resigned and one was appointed for a full term.  It was thought that both were appointed to remove then superintendent Dr. Connie Williams due to her disagreement with the City Council  Shortly after their appointment, Dr. Williams was terminated.

After the new process was introduced in 2008, only two questionable appointments were made.

Current City Council Membership

All Council Members are at-large, meaning they don’t represent a district, they represent all of Hoover and all Hoover voters vote for the entire Council.

Council President John Lyda (Place 3) was elected in 2012.  He was reelected in 2016 and again in 2020.  He was elected by the Council to serve as Council President.  There has been speculation that Mr. Lyda is interested in running for County Commission once a position in his district becomes available.

Council President Pro-Tempore  Curt Posey (Place 1) was elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020.

Councilor Mike Shaw (Place 4) was elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020.  Mr. Shaw is the Council liaison for the Planning and Zoning Board, the second more powerful Board after the Board of Education.

Councilor Derrick Murphy (Place 5) was elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020 (without opposition).  Prior to being elected to the Council, he served on the Board of Education from 2011 to 2016.

Councilor Dr. Casey Middlebrooks (Place 6) was elected in 2016 and reelected in 2020.  Dr. Middlebrooks is employed by Hoover City Schools and has to recuse himself when voting in many school-related issues, including Board of Education appointments.

Councilor Sam Swiney (Place 2) was elected in 2020 after a runoff vote.

Councilor Steve McClinton (Place 7) was elected in 2020 and is the current Chair of the Education Committee.

Many of the above-named Councilors have aspirations for re-election and/or higher office, both inside and outside the City of Hoover.

Although they will correctly tell you that they can’t interfere with Board of Education issues, having the support of the residents of Hoover is of utmost importance to them.