HOOVER – A mother of three children attending Hoover City Schools who has held various positions in parent-teacher organizations was named the newest member of the city’s Board of Education.

Amy Mudano’s appointment to the Board was approved by the Hoover City Council at its meeting on Monday, April 16.

“We believe she will provide a great backing for our system,” said Councilman Derrick Murphy, chairman of the Council’s Education Committee.

Mudano was one of six finalists for the position that interviewed with the Committee on April 2.

According to her application, Mudano has been a Hoover resident for 16 years and has three children attending schools in the system: a sophomore at Spain Park High School, eighth grader at Berry Middle School and third grader at Riverchase Elementary School.

“All have thrived in their education pursuits and the sense of community we have felt in the Hoover area is overwhelming,” Mudano wrote in the application. “My main goal in seeking this position is to make sure that the opportunities afforded my children and the sense of community we have felt are available and attainable for all children in Hoover.”

Mudano, who is employed at UAB School of Medicine in the Division of Clinical Immunology and Rheumatology as a research associate-epidemiologist, graduated from high school in South Carolina, earned a bachelor’s degree of science in accounting from the University of Florida and a master’s degree in public health and epidemiology from Emory University.

Mudano has been involved with parent-teacher organizations at Riverchase and Berry as treasurer, president and other positions.

“I have closely followed the many tough decisions that have been made over the past few years to strengthen the position of the schools, both financially and strategically, and commend the current leaders on their progress,” Mudano wrote. “Although some tough cuts were needed, the ability to pass a balanced budget and increased funding from the city has put the school system in an advantageous position. The pain of rezoning was met head-on in an open, transparent and collaborative way, and I believe the best possible plan was approved by the courts.”

Mudano said she thinks one of the most critical issues facing the school system is the implementation of a rezoning plan in the fall that will move about 2,000 students and 100 faculty and staff members to different schools.

“While it is nice to finally have this ruling, now the hard work of implementing these changes finally begins,” she said. “I anticipate a very busy spring and summer making physical and personnel changes to some schools and reorienting teachers, students and parents on the final rezoning plan.”

Other issues that should be addressed in the transition include racial disparities in disciplinary incidents, modified transportation plan, expanded enrichment programs, and enhanced data collection plans to measure progress and achievement.

Mudano said the planned Riverchase Career Center represents a realization that the trend is for a lower percentage of high school graduates to attend college.

“This is a great opportunity to expand the type of educational offerings that Hoover City Schools can provide and fill a real need in the community,” Mudano said. “After listening to the feedback at the community meetings, this is also something that is sorely desired by local and national businesses who are really struggling to find properly-trained skilled workers.”