By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

PELHAM – The Pelham City Council approved the reappointment of Pelham Board of Education member Angie Hester to another term during a council meeting April 20.

Hester’s new, five-year term will start after her current term expires in July.

“Originally, I wanted to run because I had three kids in three different Pelham schools,” Hester said in an April 21 interview. “I felt like I had a vested interest.”

Hester said she has a background in contract management and engineering, and holds ties to UAB, whose Best Robotics program she wanted to implement in Pelham schools.

“I really wanted to see it in our school system,” Hester said. “We’ve come so far this first year as a school system. It’s been a learning and rewarding experience.”

Pelham City Council President Rick Hayes said five people applied for Hester’s seat, Place 2, on the school board.

“(We were) excited to have them interested,” Hayes said of the applicants. “As we reviewed this, we felt very strongly to reappoint Ms. Hester.”

All BOE appointments are volunteer positions on a rolling five-year cycle, meaning board members serve staggered terms that expire at different times.

“The council worked to make sure we had representation on the board that was broad,” Councilman Ron Scott said. “We maintain that fine balance we worked so hard to achieve to make sure we had great diversity. It was not an easy task, but I’m happy … that we have maintained that balance and diversity on that board, geographically and in other respects, also.”

Councilman Maurice Mercer echoed Hayes’ and Scott’s support of Hester’s reappointment and noted a number of Hester’s colleagues attended the meeting to support her.

After more than a year on the inaugural school board, Hester said she is grateful to be able to build on her experience and continue serving.

“Right now, this board is in the midst of several critical decisions including building our policy manual and approving salary schedules, as well as the facility changes,” Hester said. “It’s not a good transition point to bring someone new onto the board. I’m so grateful to be reappointed because I want to ensure that the initial vision for the school system is followed through with.”