By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

Members of the Alabaster Board of Education honored the board’s former president before a March 18 work session, and thanked her for her service over the past several months.

Dr. Melanie Shores, a professor at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, was appointed as one of the School Board’s inaugural members in 2012. Her term was scheduled to end in June 2015 before she stepped down from the board on March 14, citing recent health issues.

“We can never say thank you enough to public servants,” Alabaster Interim School Superintendent Dr. Phillip Hammonds said before presenting Shores with a card and a gift from the school board. “Being the first at anything is a challenge.”

School Board member Dr. John Myrick said Shores was “a pleasure to work with,” and board member Adam Moseley said the School Board wishes her well.

“I will be your biggest supporter. You will have my blessings,” Shores told the School Board members.

During a March 18 pre-meeting work session, Alabaster City Council President Scott Brakefield said the city will accept applications for the open School Board spot through Friday, March 29.

After collecting applications, the council’s Education Committee will review the applicants before narrowing the pool and scheduling interviews with the top candidates.

After interviewing the candidates, the council will announce its selection.