Hoover Board of Education honors Donna Frazier as 10 years on the board nears end

The Hoover Board of Education honored President Donna Frazier for her 10 years on the panel as she prepares to step down effective June 1.

Frazier’s husband John, two of her children and several other family members were at the May 11 board meeting as speaker after speaker praised her for her dedication to Hoover City Schools. Board Attorney Donald Sweeney especially highlighted Frazier’s leadership since former superintendent Andy Craig resigned last December, and her commitment to help the board find a replacement before her term ended May 30.

The board has approved a contract with Dr. Kathy Murphy, who takes over Hoover City Schools beginning in June 2015.

“Kathy, we are so lucky that Donna coordinated the scheduling to make it happen,” Sweeney said. “This was a real strength of Donna during this period.”

Sweeney called Frazier a type of leader who is civil, diligent, persistent, yet fair, gentle and kind. “Thank you Donna. You have served your school system so well and we are so indebted for your passion and dedication,” he said.

Frazier said she was honored to serve the Hoover school system. She introduced her husband, John, mother, Pat Cook of Montgomery, and other relatives and friends in attendance.

“From the bottom of my heart, this has been the most special journey,” Frazier said. “It’s these people standing here with me who have allowed me to sit at that board table for 10 years. I will always have a deep appreciation for educators. Thanks for all that you do for our children every day, and for making me feel extremely special not just today but for the last 10 years that I served.”

Derrick Murphy, who was elected by his peers to succeed Frazier as president, called her someone with a deep commitment and determination to help make Hoover schools even better. Hoover schools spokesman Jason Gaston presented Frazier with a memento from the schools honoring her tenure, while fellow board members presented her with a dozen roses. A student from Hoover High, Jeremy Martin, also drew a portrait of Frazier that was given to her during the meeting.