By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – Alabaster City Schools’ new chief school financial officer won’t have to make much of a journey once she officially begins in her new position.

During a special-called meeting on Jan. 18, the Alabaster Board of Education voted unanimously to hire current Pelham Chief School Financial Officer Lauren Butts to the same position with the Alabaster City School System beginning on March 1.

“She brings with her 12 years of experience as a CSFO in the state of Alabama, which is truly nice. Also, she is a parent and a resident of the city of Alabaster. We welcome Lauren to the school system and thank her for applying.”

Butts was one of five sitting school financial officers to apply for the position, which was posted after current Alabaster CSFO Linda Agee announced she will be retiring at the end of March.

“I think that is a testament to this board and the reputation you have in the state,” Vickers said of the applicants.

“To have so much interest in this position, I think this confirms that we are a destination school system,” added School Board member Derek Henderson.

Butts has been serving as the Pelham City Schools CSFO since 2014, and was the Hoover City Schools director of payroll and benefits before coming to Pelham. She also previously served as the CSFO of the Bibb County School System.

“We’re very, very excited to have you here. I love that you recognize that finances are important, but you remember that we’re all here for the kids,” said School Board member Jamia Alexander-Williams. “We’ve got to make sure everybody from kindergarteners and pre-K to the seniors are taken care of.”

Because Butts is starting on March 1, she will have a month of overlap with Agee before Agee’s retirement, which School Board members said will lead to a smooth transition at the position.

“You have a very good reputation from the board to the superintendent to the staff, everyone. I’m honored to be chosen, and I’m very excited to be a part of the team and all of the dynamic programs you have in place for students and employees,” Butts said. “I’m excited to be a part of this school system, and I’m excited to be able to do what I love in the community I live in and where my kids go to school.”