By EMILY SPARACINO / Staff Writer

HOOVER – Hoover City Schools Superintendent Andy Craig recently accepted a position with the Alabama Department of Education, State Schools Superintendent Tommy Bice announced at a board meeting Nov. 12.

Craig will be the new deputy state superintendent of administration and finance after he resigns as Hoover’s superintendent.

Craig is projected to start his job with the state Jan. 1, 2015.

“Mr. Craig has a degree in finance and accounting,” Bice said. “He had a career before education that brings that expertise to it. He has served as the director of finance for Decatur City Schools, he has served as the assistant superintendent for finance in Hoover and he has served as the superintendent in Hoover most recently.”

Bice said Craig’s experience in working through complex situations was a factor in his being recruited for the position.

“I’d like someone that understands finance, understands how to deal with difficult situations—sometimes controversial situations—but be politically correct and able to work through those with a broad group of constituencies, which you’ve seen him do over the last year,” Bice said of Craig. “He’s stayed the course, has stayed true to doing what’s right for children and has a great wealth of knowledge in administration and finance.”

A post on the Hoover City Schools website from Hoover City Board of Education President Donna Frazier on Tuesday suggested news of Craig’s pending departure was unexpected.

“The announcement that Andy Craig will resign as superintendent of Hoover City Schools comes as a surprise,” the post read. “For more than seven years, Mr. Craig has served as the chief executive officer of the board of Education. His leadership during those seven years has been exemplary. At no time has our school system had better facilities, better programs or better people servicing the students of Hoover.

“For all Mr. Craig has accomplished, we are sincerely grateful. The Board will meet in the near future to address the many issues resulting from this unexpected development.”

Bice said he recruited Craig and Elmore County Superintendent Jeff Langham for approved positions under the state’s personnel department and the associated salary scales.

Langham will be the state’s assistant superintendent for governmental affairs and communications.