By GRAHAM BROOKS / Staff Writer

ALABASTER–School may be out for the summer for students, but the Shelby County Board of Education is still hard at work approving administrative positions among many other things to prepare for the 2017-18 academic school year.

On Thursday, June 8, a Shelby County Board of Education meeting was held at the Shelby County Instructional Services Center as three new administrative positions were unanimously approved.

The board approved Melody Byrne as the new principal of Wilsonville Elementary School, Andrew Gunn as the new principal of Helena Middle School and Tyler Spruill as the new assistant principal of Chelsea High School.

Byrne began her teaching career at Pinson Elementary and has more than 20 years experience in public education and for the last 11 years she has served as an assistant principal at Elvin Hill Elementary School. She has a bachelor of science degree in early childhood education from Auburn University, a master’s degree in educational leadership from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and an education specialist degree from Samford University.

“You know 36 years ago I walked into a Shelby County school for the very first time at Vincent Elementary School and years later I was blessed to be able to walk back in that very same school as a first year teacher and I can truly say that Shelby County Schools has prepared me for the journey,” Byrne said. “It’s not just a tagline, its truly part I think of who we are as a district. Especially for the last 11 years serving as an assistant principal at Elvin Hill Elementary School. I don’t just feel like I’ve been prepared, but I feel like I’ve been journeyed alongside by many of the people in this room to help me learn and grow.”

Gunn has more than 13 years experience in public education and was recently the principal at Chelsea Middle School. He has a bachelor of science degree in social science and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Samford University.

“I’d just like to say thank you for the opportunity to move to another one of our excellent schools here in Shelby County,” Gunn said. “I know that leaving Chelsea Middle I feel that we left it in better shape than we found it and I know it’s a wonderful place and they will continue to do great things. I look forward to doing great things at Helena Middle and I’m excited to get to know that community and those parents and I want to thank the board for this opportunity. I look forward to many great years ahead.”

Spruill has more than eight years of experience in education and was a former math teacher at Helena High School. He earned a bachelor’s degree from William Carey University and a master’s degree in educational administration from The University of Southern Mississippi.

Spruill was unable to attend the board meeting on June 8, but he will be introduced at a later meeting.

In other business, the board:

–Approved several new job descriptions for certain employees.

–Approved an amendment to the 2017 fiscal year budget.

–Approved out of state field trips.

–Approved several small construction projects including two classroom renovations to Montevallo High School, painting six additional rooms at MHS and painting of the interior hallways and common areas at Helena Middle School and Mt. Laurel Elementary School.