By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Members of the Alabaster Board of Education and City Council were effusive in their praise of outgoing School Board member Linda Church, who recently vacated her seat after moving outside of the city limits.

Church, a former teacher with the Shelby County Board of Education, was one of the original members of the city’s School Board, which was formed in 2012, and she was reappointed to a second term in 2016.

“Linda was one of the original board members, and has done a fabulous job. Her experience as an educator, central office (employee) and as a teacher were a very valuable piece of our board,” said Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers. “Her input and her insight into what was important to teachers and schools made her a very valuable person to have on this board. She did a fabulous job, and she will be missed.”

Board of Education President Adam Moseley praised Church for bringing a valuable perspective to the board, especially during the school system’s infancy.

“I think we were blessed to have her during our first six years as a board. She brought a perspective that helped guide us as we started a system from scratch,” Moseley said. “She will be truly missed.”

During a March 18 City Council meeting, council members voted unanimously to appoint Misty Johnson to serve the remainder of Church’s term, which runs through 2021.

Council President Scott Brakefield said Church’s history in education brought instant credibility to the city’s first School Board.

“Linda Church brought a very deep experience to our School Board. She brought a lot of credibility to our initial board for our teachers and our city school employees,” Brakefield said. “I really want to thank her for her time on our board.”