🌱 Racist Bullying In School + Possible Pay Raise For Principals

Good morning, everybody! It's me, Miranda Fraraccio, your host of the Hoover Daily — back in your inbox with all the most important things happening in town.

But first, today's weather:

Breezy and cooler. High: 43 Low: 30.

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Here are the top three stories today in Hoover:

1. In nearby Vestavia Hills, a mother pulled her son out of school due to racist bullying. Mary Beth Ford is a mother of two whose son was bullied for 16 weeks at Louis Pizitz Middle School. According to Ford, her son endured bullying every single day, being called a racial slur and "a monkey" by two classmates. "I think for so long we stay quiet thinking that an apology is enough when what we really need from school systems like Vestavia is real and immediate change. And I don't think that would have happened if I left my son there," Ford said. Now, her son is happy to start a new chapter at his school in Hoover. (WVTM)
2. While out to eat in Bessemer, a Jefferson County security officer saved a man from choking. On Dec. 22, Officer Suzette Whitted was in uniform at her favorite restaurant, Bright Star, when a man stood up and motioned toward her while unable to breathe. Whitted's training kicked in and she saved the man with the Heimlich Maneuver. Once the man could breathe, she was met with a burst of applause from the entire room. (WSFA)
3. A north Alabama lawmaker wants to raise the pay for school principals. Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur is considering a proposal that would boost the pay for, or provide a stipend to, principals if they complete additional training or professional development. While no specific legislation or budget mechanism has been proposed yet, Alabama currently has $2.7 billion in funding to allocate — which could potentially go toward principals' salaries. Analysis by AL.com of principal salaries during the 2021-22 school year showed a $158,300 salary in Hoover City Schools. (Dothan Eagle)

Today in and around Hoover:

• Alabama Dance Festival, At The Dance Foundation in Homewood (9:00 AM)
• Selma: A Movie Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., At Springville Road Regional Branch Library in Birmingham (10:00 AM)
• Vintage Videos: The Wizard of Oz (1939), At Hoover Public Library (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• On Monday night, the Hoover Board of Education honored a team of six seniors from Spain Park High School who recently won the Youth Judicial State Mock Trial Tournament in Montgomery! (Hoover Sun via Facebook)
• Hoover High School Band is excited that Ben Smith has chosen a beautification/conservation project at the band practice field for his Eagle Scout project. Learn more about what improvements he and his fellow scouts plan to make here. (Hoover High School Band via Facebook)
• Hoover City Schools is hiring substitute teachers! Those interested can earn $100 per day as a sub for Hoover City Schools. Click here to learn more and apply. (Hoover City Schools via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all caught up for today! I'll see you around.

— Miranda Fraraccio

About me: Miranda Fraraccio is a staff writer for content creation agency Lightning Media Partners. She is a graduate of the University of Rhode Island, where she earned degrees in Writing & Rhetoric and Communication Studies. In her free time, you can find her traveling, drinking tea, or practicing film photography.