New members expressed gratitude for being elected and an eagerness to begin serving the school system on another level.

Patterson said she hopes to bring to the board a parent’s perspective, something she believes has been missing in recent years.

“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity for the new board to have some positive impact on the system as a whole,” said Patterson, a former educator in the county. “Even though we’ve got a new board, we’ve got five of the seven that have worked in education. I believe that [the students] deserve the same experiences and the same opportunities as the highest counties in Alabama.”

Shannon has spent 25 years in public education positions and said he knows the problems the school system faces and that the board must try to resolve.

“With the experience that I’ve had as a school teacher, an administrator, a coach and support personnel, I feel that I bring a lot to the table,” Shannon said. “My promise to the people (is) I’ll always be available to listen, and I’ll always be honest. My goal is to do what’s best for the kids.”

Hand also recognized the issues, such as finances, that the board and all education employees will have to continue to handle; however, she conveyed hope that the board would be unified in its efforts to maintain and improve the quality of education in Chilton County.

“I think that all of the board members will work together with the superintendent to do the best for the school system,” Hand said. “I know that there are a lot of issues that we’re facing in education, and most of them probably involve finances, but I know we’ll work to get the best that we can for the students and the employees.”

Moore, a retired educator of 27 years and superintendent before Hayden, was of the same mindset.

“I’m just excited to be elected to the board because I know what an important position that it is,” Moore said. “I’m just looking forward to working with all the board members and reaching the common goal to provide the best education for the children of Chilton County that we possibly can.”

The first meeting with the new board will be Nov. 20 at 4 p.m.