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Friday, Eric Mackey was named the next state superintendent.

The Alabama State Department of Education conducted interviews of the three finalists on Friday morning.

Mackey currently serves as the executive director of the School Superintendents of Alabama.

Mackey was chosen over two other qualified superintendents—Dr. Craig Pouncey and Dr. Kathy Murphy.

Dr. Craig Pouncey taught at Highland Home School and was superintendent of Crenshaw County Schools. He currently serves as the superintendent of Jefferson County Schools.

When asked in a recent interview what motivates him, he said, “Since I was a classroom teacher at Highland Home, my focus has been on what is best for the children, and I only left the classroom because the issues that continue to hold us back are beyond the classroom.”

Monday will be business as usual for Pouncey as he returns to fight those, “beyond the classroom,” issues in his position at the Jefferson County Schools.

The other candidate for the position was a Greenville native, Dr. Kathy Murphy. Murphy now serves as the superintendent for Hoover City Schools.

Murphy spoke highly of her school district after the decision on Friday. She said, “It is such a terrific school district, such a great place to serve. […] I have spoken to all my board members today, we are just so excited to get right back to business on Monday morning and get about the business of the children of the Hoover City School.”

Prior to taking on the role as Hoover’s superintendent in 2015, Murphy served as superintendent of the Monroe County School District for four years.

Following an extensive teaching career, the veteran educator took her first administrative role as principal of Greenville Middle School in 1993.

In 2002, she was promoted to principal of her alma mater at Greenville High School where she remained until 2008 when she was named administrative assistant to the Butler County Schools’ superintendent. Prior to serving as Monroe County’s superintendent, she served as principal at Charles Henderson High School. After the decision on Friday, Murphy said, “This was a journey I wanted to take. I was blessed to have made it as a finalist, and I am so proud of Eric Mackey who is my friend and I wish him the absolute best.” Throughout the entire process, Murphy spoke highly of the support she received from the Greenville community. Murphy added, “So many folks from Greenville and so many places I have served have been such an encouragement to me. I am so grateful for my community and Greenville for the many kind things and gestures. I am so blessed to have so many friends here in Greenville who have encouraged me along the way.”