Hoover school board approves contract with new superintendent

by Roy L. Williams

May 12, 2015

1:52 AM

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Dr. Kathy Murphy

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Photo by Roy Williams

Dr. Kathy L. Murphy

The Hoover Board of Education, during a board meeting held Monday, May 11, approved a contract with new superintendent Dr. Kathy Murphy.

Dr. Murphy, who was a unanimous 5-0 choice out of four finalists on April 30, will take over Hoover city schools effective June 1. She is currently superintendent of Monroe (Ala.) County Schools. She will receive a base salary of $195,000.

According to contract terms approved by the school board and signed by Dr. Murphy, she becomes superintendent for a term effective June 8, 2015 and ending June 30, 2018 unless extended.

The contract requires Dr. Murphy to live within the Hoover City School District, and the Hoover Board of Education will reimburse her moving expenses from Monroeville not to exceed $7,500.

As superintendent, Dr. Murphy has “the prerogative to organize, reorganize and arrange the administrative staff of the school system, including the instruction and support services division,” as she sees fit as best serving city schools.

According to the contract, Dr. Murphy will receive a salary of $195,000 and after completing her first year be eligible for pay increases as mandated by the Alabama Legislature for teachers without further action by the board. The board may also mutually agree to increase her salary as superintendent.

Dr. Murphy will be eligible for 15 paid vacation days per year plus federal and state holidays. Unused vacation days may carry over to future years but not exceed 30 days during the terms of her contract.

The new superintendent will also receive an automobile allowance of $750 per month, have her travel and business expenses in her capacity as superintendent paid for by the board as well as dues for professional organizations.

In addition, Dr. Murphy’s contract calls for the school board to pay for her cell phone and laptop computer for her duties, health and medical expenses, and must agree to obtain complete medical physical annually.

The contract also says the new superintendent must set annual goals and objectives for the Hoover school system, and she will meet with the board annually for an evaluation of accomplishments and to set goals and objectives for the coming year.

After the meeting, Dr. Murphy said she was excited and ready to get to work. While in Hoover May 2 for the Hoover Appreciation Day at Veterans Park, Dr. Murphy went on tours of both Hoover and Spain Park high schools.

“June is fast approaching and I am looking forward to coming to Hoover,” Dr. Murphy said. “I am going to try to take care of my housing situation this week so I can get that behind me and focus on school matters.”

Monroe County Schools has selected an interim superintendent, and Dr. Murphy said she plans to help her current school system iron out a transition plan.

“We have four high schools in Monroe County so I have four graduations to prepare for,” she said. “I’m looking forward to great things in Hoover city schools.”

Kathy Murphy was selected over two other finalists: Dr. Charles Ledbetter, superintendent of Dublin (Ga.) City Schools and Dr. Chris Marczak, assistant superintendent of Oak Ridge (Tenn.) City Schools. A fourth finalist, Dr. Vic Wilson, superintendent of Hartselle City Schools, withdrew his candidacy just minutes before the April 30 school board meeting.

Though Wilson was thought to be the favorite because of his ties to the community as a 16-year former Bluff Park resident and former principal at Mountain Brook and Homewood High Schools, Kathy Murphy during her April 27 interview immediately established herself as a viable contender, impressing the board in describing herself as “a workaholic” passionate about educating children.

You can watch Murphy’’s full interview at the following link:

nfhsnetwork.com/events/hoover-high-school-hoover-al/c2537eaaa1

An archived link to the other finalists’ interviews is on the Hoover City Schools website,hoovercityschools.net/.