The fist day of school was Aug. 14. But Shelby County Schools are still putting administrative staff in place with the addition of one new principal and two new assistant principals.

At the board’s Aug. 22 meeting, Superintendent Evan Major recommended Christine Hoffman as the new principal for Montevallo Elementary, Elizabeth Davis as a new assistant principal for Columbiana Middle School and Dana Payne as a new assistant principal for Valley Intermediate.

All three were unanimously approved in the absence of board president Dr. Lee Doebler.

Hoffman has more than 18 years experience in public education. She previously served as assistant principal at Valley Elementary School.

She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in special education/mental retardation from the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater and received a master’s of education degree in special education/emotional conflict from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.

She holds an administration certification degree from UAB and has been recognized as a Teacher of the Year.

Davis has more than four years experience in public education. She previously served as a teacher and coach at Chelsea Middle School.

Davis graduated from Jacksonville State University with a bachelor’s degree in secondary education and received a master’s of art degree in secondary education from UAB. She also holds an educational administration degree from UAB and was awarded the Secondary Award of Excellence and has served in leadership roles in honorary societies.

Payne has more than 16 years experience in education and previously served as a teacher at Inverness Elementary School. A resident of Shelby County and a product of Shelby County Schools herself, she received a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s of education degree in elementary education from UAB.

She also holds an educational administration degree from Samford University, has been chairperson for various school committees and is actively involved in leadership responsibilities in her community