By KATIE MCDOWELL/Lifestyles Editor

The Shelby County Board of Education approved Brent Tolbert as the Calera Middle School principal at its regular meeting on Jan. 26.

Tolbert, who is in his third year as the principal of the Thompson Sixth Grade Center, said the job was “an awesome opportunity.”

“I’m very excited about this opportunity to serve Shelby County and the community of Calera,” he said.

Tolbert said the decision to accept the CMS job was difficult to make, given the seven years he spent working in Alabaster. Prior to his time at the Thompson Sixth Grade Center, he spent four years at Thompson Middle School.

Tolbert expressed his appreciation to the faculty, staff, students and community he worked with in Alabaster.

“They’ve been truly great years in my life,” he said.

Tolbert said the city of Alabaster’s decision to create its own school system did not influence his own choice to accept the CMS position.

“This was just an opportunity for me to grow professionally,” he said.

Tolbert said he will officially begin his new job later in the spring, although he will have input on the plans for the new CMS building. He said he was looking forward to working with the CMS staff and faculty to ensure a smooth transition.

Superintendent Randy Fuller said Tolbert has served 18 years as a teacher and administrator. He holds a bachelor of science and master of arts in music education and an administrative certification from the University of Alabama.

He also holds an educational specialist degree in educational administration from the University of Montevallo.

In other business, the board also approved April Brand as the Oak Mountain High School assistant principal, Robin Hollingsworth as the Valley Intermediate Assistant principal and LaTonya Borden-Hudson as the Vincent Elementary assistant principal.

The next board meting will be held at the central office in Columbiana on Thursday, Feb. 16 at 6 p.m.

During the meeting, the board also discussed the hiring of Cris Bell, who will serve as Oak Mountain High School’s head football coach, during the meeting. For more on that story, click here.