Hoover Board Of Education Selects New Superintendent

HOOVER, AL — Hoover City Schools has a new leader, as Dee O. Fowler was named the superintendent for the system after an extended search by the Hoover Board of Education.

Fowler served as superintendent for Madison City Schools from 2007 until 2016, overseeing unprecedented growth and building a state-leading school system. He then accepted a job as Deputy State Superintendent and Chief of Staff for the Alabama State Department of Education.

"I come from a school district, that before we even started, we talked to Hoover City Schools," Dr. Fowler said. "I came to this office and visited this office before we even built an office in the last district because we wanted an office like Hoover’s. We wanted academics like Hoover’s. We wanted athletics like Hoover’s. We wanted to mirror Hoover."

The search for a replacement for Kathy Murphy, who left Hoover to take the president's job at Gadsden State Community College, began in December.

After hiring a search firm to find candidates for the school system's superintendent position, the Hoover Board of Education decided it will not move forward with any of the five finalists interviewed for the job in February.

"Dr. Fowler comes to us with decades of experience and leadership," Board President Deanna Bamman said. "His experience in Madison City Schools, in particular, was compelling – under his tenure, Madison City Schools experienced tremendous growth, funding challenges, he was charged with oversight of two of the largest high schools in the state, in a diverse community with high standards that expects the no less than the absolute best for its children. While there is no place exactly like Hoover, Madison is pretty close, and his success there speaks volumes. We immediately recognized his collaborative style, kindness, and his respect for others, which were all incredibly important leadership qualities to us as we choose our next leader."