By NEAL WAGNER / Managing Editor

ALABASTER – The Alabaster City Council likely will reappoint Derek Henderson to his seat on the city’s Board of Education for five more years during an upcoming meeting, council members said during an April 21 work session.

The council likely will vote on Henderson’s reappointment during its April 27 meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. at Alabaster City Hall.

Henderson originally was appointed to the School Board in May 2013 to fill a vacancy left by the March 14, 2013, resignation of former School Board President Melanie Shores.

Henderson, a retired insurance agent and past president of the Thompson High School Quarterback Club, was appointed after fellow candidate and former City Council member Jim McClain – the first to be nominated for the School Board seat during the council meeting – failed to gather enough council votes.

In addition to Henderson and McClain, Jamia Alexander-Williams, Jim Dennis and Eric Starling were also finalists for the vacant BOE spot in 2013.

Henderson’s current term is scheduled to expire in June. If reappointed, his term would be extended through June 2020.

During the April 21 work session, council members praised Henderson for his involvement in the Alabaster City School System and said they would not hesitate to support his reappointment.

“He is by far our most active board member,” City Council President Scott Brakefield said, drawing agreement from his fellow council members.

Henderson frequently attends city school functions and events, and has been mentoring a group of five Thompson Middle School students since August 2013.

Through the mentorship program, Henderson visits the students each week to chat about grades, set school goals and sometimes even play basketball.

Over the past few years, the City Council has reappointed School Board President Adam Moseley through June 2017, School Board member Ty Quarles through June 2018 and School Board member John Myrick through June 2019. All three were among the original members of the Board of Education.

Linda Church, who is also an original member of the School Board, currently is serving a term ending in June 2016.