HCS Index

*Watch the highlight video of the first day of school below

Hoover City Schools, the Hoover Police Department, and the City of Hoover worked collaboratively on a school safety message for parents ahead of the start of the new school year.

The start of any school year can bring heightened emotions: excitement, anxiousness, and for some parents, even dread. These feelings may surround the desire for success. But these days, unfortunately, they may also stem from concerns about student safety. “Will my child be safe when I send them to school?” We at Hoover City Schools, the Hoover Police Department, and the City of Hoover want to reassure you – your child’s safety is our top priority.

Click the following link to view the full message- https://bit.ly/3QlaJ6f

One Time, One Place, One Vision!

Nearly 2,000 Hoover City Schools (HCS) administrators, teachers, and staff gathered for the 2022 Institute at Hunter Street Baptist Church on Monday, August 8. Everyone left inspired, encouraged, motivated, and ready for the new school year! Special guests included the Hoover Board of Education, Mayor Frank Brocato, City Administrator Allan Rice, and the Hoover City Council members.

HCS administrators, teachers, and staff have a lot to celebrate as the new school year begins. Superintendent Dr. Dee O. Fowler shared some exciting news with the crowd about ACAP test scores currently embargoed by the Alabama State Department of Education. Dr. Fowler says Hoover students did a fantastic job.

Dr. Fowler said, "I can tell you this, all K- 8 schools had significant gains in ELA and math. Your dedication and determination were easy to see in these results. Your commitment and the Board's commitment for us to stay in school 180 days made a difference. It was a challenge. I know it was difficult for each of you every day, but you stayed the course. More importantly, you made a difference in the lives of our children, and for that, I most humbly say thank you."

HCS was extremely pleased to welcome Timothy Alexander as the speaker for the 2022 Institute. Alexander is a faith-driven man who has dedicated his life to motivating and inspiring others. A native of Birmingham, Alexander attended Erwin High School and was ranked the #8 best high school football player in the state. Alexander had the opportunity to play for any college in the country; however, he was involved in a life-changing car accident in 2006, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. From that point on, Timothy was left to find his purpose in life while paralyzed. Alexander shared his remarkable story and challenged those in attendance to live a life of resilience. He is a living example of his quote: "We don’t need it to be easy; we just need it to be possible."

There was a special presentation by the Hoover City Schools Foundation. Executive Director Shelley Shaw and Board President Paul Dangel recognized 25 teachers who are recipients of Teacher Classroom Grants for the 2022-2023 school year. The grants totaled $42,230.00.

HCS would like to thank Pastor Buddy Gray and Hunter Street Baptist Church for their hospitality and assistance with planning the 2022 HCS Institute; the Spain Park High School Pep Band; Hoover High and Spain Park High School Ambassadors; the Hoover High School JROTC; and the Hoover High School Ten Bucs Worth Singers.

*Watch the highlight video from the 2022 HCS Institute below

During a packed Board meeting on August 1, the Hoover Board of Education (HBOE) unanimously approved the construction of a $15.4M Performing Arts Center at Hoover High School (HHS). Currently, about 47% of HHS students are involved in some kind of fine arts and several of those students, their parents, and supporters attended the Board meeting. HHS Director of Bands, Ryan Fitchpatrick, has two students in the district involved in performing arts. Fitchpatrick says there is a tremendous number of students at HHS who don't get to perform in a venue designed for them to showcase their talent and hark work.

Fitchpatrick said, “This will have an impact on the students. Currently, you go to any other 7A high school in the state, and you can be in a band, choir, or another performing art activity, and you can perform in a facility designed for your activities. Students in Hoover High School don’t get that opportunity. We play our concerts in a gym. We’re grateful to have the gym, but it’s not what it’s designed for.”

The original lowest bid for the project was $17.4M with Blalock Building Company and Hoover City Schools negotiated the cost down about $2M. Construction on the new 36,000-square-foot facility is expected to begin late this month. Blalock Building Company anticipates 16 to 17 months to complete the project once construction begins.

There were cheers and a long applause in the audience after the HBOE voted to approve the project. Supporters of a HHS Performing Arts Center shared their excitement about the project moving forward and say it is long overdue.

"The support from everybody shows how much we really are in need of this facility," said Hoover High School senior and fine arts student Dalton Dismukes. "I'm very appreciative and I wanted to express my gratitude to the Board of Education because they probably don't hear that we're thankful for them a lot. With this Performing Arts Center I just know it's going to truly change the lives of students that come in and they're able to use it."

During last week's Board meeting, the Hoover Board of Education approved Mr. Russell Sirmans as an Exceptional Education Specialist. Sirmans was previously an Instructional Support Teacher at Bluff Park Elementary School (BPES) and has served at BPES since 2017. He previously served for ten years in the Jefferson County Schools System.

Sirmans said, "I have served in the area of Exceptional Education over the past 16 years. I am thrilled to serve in this new position. I have always had a passion for building positive relationships with students, and I look forward to continuing this passion in my new role. I am excited about the opportunity to continue promoting student growth through positive behavior support systems across all Hoover City Schools."

Hoover City Schools Chief Learning Officer Dr. Chris Robbins says Sirmans has taken on many different teacher leadership roles at BPES and across the district. He is excited for Sirmans to transition into this administrative role in the Instructional Support Department.

The district's Technology Department is pleased to welcome Mr. Wes Wilbanks as the new director of information technology. A graduate of Hoover High School, Wilbanks is going into his 21st year as an employee of Hoover City Schools.

Wilbanks said, “I look forward to working with the technology team at HCS. I have worked with most of them on previous projects for the district and know the high level of skill and work ethic this team possesses. Bryan Phillips and Kelli Lane are wonderful leaders, and we are committed to the mission of Hoover City Schools. We have a lot of exciting new projects coming up soon, including new Chromebook rollouts and new ways to support our faculty and students better.”

Wilbanks began his career with the operations department in 2002 as an HVAC technician. In 2010, he was instrumental in providing technical support for the control system upgrade, which resulted in over a million dollars worth of savings for the school system in the first five years.

In 2016 his job was expanded to include security and card access for the district, as well as a maintenance supervisor role in the department. In 2017, seeing a need for improvement in schools’ methods for responding to external threats, Wilbanks designed and oversaw the implementation of a revolutionary one-button lockdown system. As the assistant director of operations, his most recent former position, Wilbanks worked closely with departments across the district to ensure the smooth operation of all Hoover schools.

Hoover City Schools' Chief Information Officer Bryan Phillips said, "Wes has been with Hoover City Schools for more than 20 years and has been successful in the operations department. We believe those skills and his understanding of our technologies are what we were looking for in a district leader. We are confident that Wes will take on his new responsibilities with the same enthusiasm and professionalism he has for years. He will be managing the technical side of our operation."

Mrs. Lindsay Morgan was selected as the new assistant principal of Trace Crossings Elementary School. This is her 12th year as an educator. Since joining the Trace Crossings family in 2019, Morgan has been an instructional support teacher and has enjoyed working with staff across all grade levels.

Morgan graduated from Samford University and earned a B.S. degree in Early Childhood Special Education, Elementary, and Collaborative Education. In 2015, she received a Master of Arts degree in Reading Education from UAB. Most recently, Morgan completed the Post-Master’s Certification Program in Instructional Leadership from the University of Alabama.

Morgan said, "I am thrilled to serve as the assistant principal at Trace Crossings Elementary. Trace Crossings is an incredible school filled with amazing students and staff. I am passionate about ensuring student success. I believe that all students are capable of learning, and we, as educators, are charged with teaching content in a way that reaches all students. Collaboration amongst all stakeholders is imperative, and relationships are the foundation of student success. I look forward to working alongside our families to enhance the incredible learning opportunities at Trace Crossings."

Last week, the Hoover Board of Education approved Mrs. Jennifer Lowe as a new assistant principal at Hoover High School (HHS). Lowe is replacing Dr. Amanda Esslinger, who is now Spain Park High School’s new principal.

Lowe said, "I am grateful to join the Hoover High School family and to serve in my own community. I am thrilled to be part of one of the best schools in our state, and I look forward to building relationships with students, parents, faculty, and staff."

Lowe has been an educator since 2008. She recently served as the assistant principal at Helena High School for approximately four years and is a former Spanish teacher. HCS Chief Learning Officer Dr. Chris Robbins says she's "done it all" from a curriculum standpoint. Lowe has experience in curriculum alignment and development, teacher mentoring, AP program development, and school improvement intervention. She is a product of Hoover City Schools as a graduate of Berry Middle School and Spain Park High School.

HHS Principal John Montgomery says this position involves curriculum and instruction, which is of utmost importance. "We were very careful about who we were going to interview for the job. She rose to the top, and we're very proud to have her," said Montgomery.

Hoover City Schools Child Nutrition Program's (CNP) Professional Development Day was held last week and was an exciting time for the district's CNP employees. The program was the kick-off to the start of the new school year for the approximately 120 CNP employees and a training opportunity. In addition, CNP Director Melinda Bonner presented awards for Years of Service and Perfect Attendance to several employees to thank them for their hard work and dedication to Hoover City Schools!

The USDA has established minimum professional standards for school nutrition professionals who manage and operate the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. The standards ensure school nutrition personnel have the knowledge to plan, prepare, and purchase healthy products to create nutritious, safe, and enjoyable school meals.

The special guest was inspirational speaker and motivator Ervin Watson, a decorated veteran of the U.S. Air Force, entrepreneur, and author. The sessions he provided included skills to be flexible with challenging situations, how to demystify bias, techniques for critical leadership, and the keys to having the best year ever!

For the past two years, the U.S. Congress has funded a universal free meal program for all students as part of the federal COVID-19 Relief Assistance Plan. This federal free meal program expired on June 30, 2022.

The Hoover Board of Education has approved meal prices for the 2022-2023 school year. Beginning August 2022, all students will be charged for school breakfast and lunch unless their household qualifies for free or reduced-price meals.

Prices for school meals for the 2022-2023 school year are as follows:

• Breakfast: Elementary/Intermediate $1.75
• Breakfast: Secondary $2.00
• Lunch: Elementary/Intermediate $2.50
• Lunch: Secondary $3.00
• Reduced-Price Breakfast: All schools $0.30
• Reduced-Price Lunch: All schools $0.40

If families believe they are eligible for free or reduced-price meals, an application can be found and submitted at www.myschoolapps.com. In addition to qualifying for free or reduced-price meals during the school year, all families that receive approved benefits are eligible for a 2022 Summer P-EBT payment of $391.00 for each child.

Families must apply for free or reduced-price meals no later than August 31, 2022, to be awarded the distribution from the Alabama Department of Human Resources.

Our award-winning, nationally-ranked school district features highly-motivated students, skilled and caring educators, and engaged parents.

EEOC Notice

Email: hcsnotices@hoover.k12.al.us
Website: hoovercityschools.net
Location: 2810 Metropolitan Way, Birmingham, AL, USA
Phone: 205-439-1000
Facebook: facebook.com/HooverCitySchools
Twitter: @HooverSchools