By MOLLY DAVIDSON / Staff Writer

HOOVER—The Hoover City School System has a new superintendent. The Board of Education unanimously voted to appoint Dr. Kathy L. Murphy to the position during an April 30 meeting.

Murphy will begin her position on June 1, taking over for Interim Superintendent Dr. Jim Reese.

“I look forward to getting here and learning,” Murphy said during a May 2 interview. “I am here to collaborate with our principals, work with our teachers and engage with our coaches… we’ll lead together.”

Murphy has more than 30 years of experience in education, most recently serving as the superintendent of Monroe County Public Schools, a district comprising 3,650 students.

She has taught at multiple levels, including the college level, and has served as principal at a middle school and two high schools.

Murphy received a doctorate degree in program administration from Auburn University, she also holds and educational specialist degree and two master’s degrees from Auburn. She received her bachelor’s degree from Troy University.

“She has a take-charge attitude, she’s a very hard worker,” Hoover BOE Vice President Derrick Murphy, who is not related to the new superintendent, said. “I love her philosophy of ‘Take the stairs,’ not take the easy way out.”

In addition to a strong work ethic, Derrick Murphy praised Kathy Murphy’s commitment to the community.

“She is definitely going to get in the community, get into the schools,” Derrick Murphy said. “Her goal is to get the message out about how great Hoover is.”

Kathy Murphy attended the city’s Celebrate Hoover Day on May 2 to meet and speak with community members.

“First of all, let me tell you what a fabulous experience this is here today, to come out here and celebrate Hoover and meet the community,” Kathy Murphy said. “This today is an example of the excellence of the community.”

Kathy Murphy commented on the “standard of excellence” at Hoover City Schools in academics, athletics and the arts, and said one of the “challenges of leading a great school district” is building on that “momentum.”

“We have great leaders in our district… (Kathy Murphy) will bring the leadership role to tie it all together,” Derrick Murphy said.