It's a changing of the guard at Alabama's State Board of Education. On Tuesday, two newly elected members will be sworn in.
Incumbent members Stephanie Bell and Belinda McRae are completing their service on the board. At its last board meeting, the board passed resolutions honoring these two for their service and summarizing their tenure.
Neither of these two members ran for re-election in the 2024 cycle.
Stephanie Bell has served District 3, roughly from Montgomery to Mountain Brook, for 30 years, the longest in the nation.
She will be replaced by Kelly Mooney of Shelby County, who won without a runoff in a three-candidate field. She is married to State Rep. Arnold Mooney (R-Indian Springs),
Mrs. Mooney earned a bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina. Her career experience includes 15 years as a school administrator at Briarwood Christian School, client service associate, and small business co-owner. Mooney has served as a member of the Shelby County Republican Executive Committee, the Republican Women of North Shelby County, and Meadow Brook Baptist Church.
Belinda McRae served one term in District 7, roughly from the Shoals area across northwest Alabama to Birmingham.
She will be replaced by Dr. Allen Long of Florence, who won without a runoff in a three-candidate field. While maintaining an ear, nose and throat medical practice, Long has been active in Republican and conservative causes. He served as chairman of the Lauderdale County Republican Party and on the State Republican Executive Committee.
Dr. Long had been on the board of trustees of Shoals Christian School from 2001 to 2016. He served on the University of North Alabama board of trustees from 1994-2006. He went as a medical missionary to Peru, Nicaragua, Honduras and South Korea.
He earned a Bachelor's degree from the University of North Alabama and a medical degree from the University of South Alabama.
Long's father, Frank Long, was a judge at the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals.
The new SBOE members will be sworn in on Tuesday at 3 p.m. in the historic House of Representatives chamber in the state capitol building. A reception will follow at the nearby Alabama Cattleman's Association building.
Two returning SBOE members will also be sworn in for a new term. Jackie Zeigler (R-Mobile) was re-elected in District 1, representing most of southwest Alabama. Dr. Tonya Chestnutt (D-Selma) was re-elected in District 5, roughly from Mobile to Selma.
The SBOE members then hold their mandatory annual retreat in Prattville at meeting facilities of the Retirement Systems of Alabama. The retreat is Wednesday.
"I want Christians to consider who they vote for. We look a lot at the presidential elections. And that's where so much of our focus is, especially from the media, but some of the most important elections are the local elections - the mayors, city council members, county commissioners, school boards. How important school boards are - and we need to get Christian men and women running for office. We need Christian men and women not only running for office, but voting and getting behind other Christians that are running for office." —Rev. Franklin Graham
Jim' Zig' Zeigler writes about Alabama's people, places, events, groups and prominent deaths. He is a former Alabama Public Service Commissioner and State Auditor. You can reach him for comments at ZeiglerElderCare@yahoo.com.
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