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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Ashland English was sworn in to fill the vacancy on the Chilton County Board of Education on Feb. 28. English is filling the spot of former board member Keith Moore who stepped down from his seat in February. English was sworn in by Judge Sibley Reynolds.

Terms for the board members are up on the Nov. 5 election, and after the seat came open the board had 30 days to come to a majority and find a new member to serve the remainder of the term. If no new member was found in 30 days, the State of Alabama would step in and appoint someone themselves. However, the other six board members came together and saw English as a sure-fire candidate to fill the role.

“We put out that we were accepting applications for the position, and three of them who are (on the ballot on Nov. 5) applied, and she is who we chose,” Chilton Board of Education President Pam Price said.

About a year ago, English was at her local church and the topic of biblical citizenship came up. Biblical citizenship is having the knowledge of Biblical principles and knowing how to apply them to the community. Through that, she began to think about the education system, and the children in the education system in Chilton County.

“I just really started to get a burden on my heart for the kids of our county,” English said. “I let it boil over for a little while just thinking about what I could do about it, and I felt really driven to run for the board of education.”

English submitted everything to run in the Nov. 5 election, and when the vacancy came open she put in her application and went for it. English will still be on the Nov. 5 Republican ballot for a seat on the board, and with less than seven Republican candidates running, her and the rest of the candidates need just one vote to be appointed to the seats.

Current board member Jacqueline Sullivan is running unopposed on the Democratic ballot on Nov. 5 for reelection, and will need just one vote to retain her seat as well.

English brings a veteran accountant career with her to the board, and her profession was a plus in the board’s eyes when looking through the applications.

“We are really excited, and with her  (Certified Public Accountant) degree we think she will be an asset,” Price said.

Price said English will be able to work closely with the Chief Financial Officer to best utilize her skills with the BOE.

“It all took place in God’s will, and I just really have a heart for the kids in our county, to provide them the best education we possibly can, making sure they have a safe learning environment and making sure we are giving our teachers, faculty and staff all the resources they need to be able to do so,” English said. “I want to stand for our kids and let my voice be a voice for them. From the young ones to the older ones, they are all important and they all deserve the best, so I want to be there for them and speak up for them. It is truly an honor, and I am really excited to work with everybody and just get in there, learn more and do the best for our kids.”