JEFFERSON COUNTY — Cheryl D. Self of McCalla has announced her intention to seek appointment to place four of the Jefferson County Board of Education.
The seat opened when Dean Taylor unexpectedly died in March.
Self, 40, is a lifelong resident of Jefferson County and graduate of McAdory High School, class of 1993.
Cheryl Self (pictured with husband, Jack Self) seeks JEFCOED board seat left vacant when Dean Taylor died in a vehicle accident.
Submitted photo
Self is wife of Jefferson County Sheriff’s Sergeant Jack Self, and both attend Grace Life Baptist Church in McCalla.
Self has served the citizens of Jefferson County for 15 years as a magistrate and court specialist in the Bessemer Division of Jefferson County Circuit and District Court. She currently works as the legal secretary for a Bessemer-based law firm.
“The western areas of the county are some the fastest growing in our area. Currently no member of the Board resides in the western part of Jefferson County. I am afraid that this may leave schools like Hueytown, McAdory, Oak Grove and Pleasant Grove without a voice in decisions that affect them. I live there and I can be that voice,” said Self.
This will be Self’s first run for public office. Jefferson County Sheriff Mike Hale has already endorsed her.
Self serves as a McAdory/McCalla Planning and Event Committee member. This committee is responsible for planning and coordinating community events like a Christmas parade, as well as assisting in recovery efforts from a recent tornado that struck the area. She has also worked as a volunteer for the Clay House Child Advocacy Center of Bessemer during many fundraising events.
“I believe that the Board Of Education is primarily responsible to the students of the school system. The ultimate goal is to ensure a quality education in safe and secure learning environments,” said Self. “To achieve this, Board must seek to recruit and retain the most qualified teachers and support personnel. Once that is accomplished the Board must support them in the schools and in the classroom. It is imperative that we take care of those who take care of our children.”
