St. Clair County Circuit Judge Jim Hill swears in newly elected St. Clair County Schools Superintendent Jenny Seals before Monday’s meeting. Seals will officially take over leadership of the school system Jan. 1, 2007.Newly elected Jenny Seals was sworn in as the new superintendent for the St. Clair County School System by Circuit Judge Jim Hill Monday before the regular meeting of the board was called to order.
After spending the past 18 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal at Moody Elementary School, Seals will officially take over as superintendent Jan. 1, 2007.
Seals is a 1975 graduate of St. Clair County High School in Odenville. She received her bachelor’s degree in health and physical education from the University of Alabama at Birmingham in 1979. She also received her master’s degree from UAB in 1982.
In 1988, Seals also received her master’s degree in administration from UAB.
“I’m humbled, blessed and excited,” said Seals moments after being sworn in. “Working with Mr. (Dan) Butler a couple of days each week has made this a smooth transition. Mr. Butler has been a joy to work with because he is so knowledgeable. I have had the privilege of attending various meetings and learning from other superintendents throughout the state.”
Seals said the move is bittersweet because she hates leaving Moody Elementary School but knows she is leaving the students in great hands with Kathy Tice as the new principal.
One of her initial plans as the new superintendent is to meet with the staff at the Central Office and then visit all the schools to meet with principals and see what the needs are at each school.
“Our ultimate goal is putting students first,” Seals said. “I’m going to give this all that I have. I’ll give it 100 percent because I want to do a great job in representing the kids of St. Clair County.”
As principal at Moody Elementary, Seals has seen first-hand how St. Clair County has grown in the past few years, including the need for an addition at MES just two years ago.
When asked if she was ready for the growth ahead, Seals said she was.
“Being able to go to these superintendents’ meetings gives me ideas about new resources and funds that are available out there,” she said.
During board member comments, each board member welcomed Seals and each said they are looking forward to working with her.
Butler said it has been a pleasure working with Seals for the past several weeks and wished her success as the new superintendent.
In other business, the board:
? Approved various personnel items.
? Approved the three-year lease of a copier from Modern Business machines for the Central Office.
? Approved the financial report given by Chief Financial Officer Sandra Touart.
