BAY MINETTE — Shannon Cauley will have to give up her job as a substitute teacher and the vice presidency of the Spanish Fort Middle School PTA. And the mother of two will be happy to do just that.

The Baldwin County Board of Education selected Cauley from three finalists Friday to become the next school board member to represent District 7. The position was vacated when Tracy Roberts was elected to the state school board in November.

“I’m excited and ready to get to work,” said Cauley. “I understand that I won’t be able to substitute teach anymore. And I already gave the PTA president the heads up.”

The six members of the Baldwin County Board of Education spent about a half-hour interviewing each candidate Friday. During her time under question, Cauley said she felt the reputation of the district and the staff were strong points.

“People move here because they want their children to be in Baldwin County schools,” said Cauley. “Our technology is outstanding, starting with the Digital Renaissance (which puts Apple computers in the hands of high school students).”

Cauley said she started working on joining the board two months ago, the day after Roberts was elected.

“When I found out Tracy was leaving, I emailed her the next day to see what I needed to do to get on the school board,” said Cauley. “This is what I want to do.”

She has attended some school board meetings over the years and was at the board’s November work session when they hashed out the procedure for finding Roberts replacement.

“I know it will take quite a bit of time, but I’m ready to start,” she said.

Cauley has been very active in the schools of her children, ages 11 and 14. In addition to being a K-8 substitute teacher, she spent two years as the president of the Spanish Fort Elementary PTA. She is currently the vice president of the PTA at the middle school.

After interviewing Cauley, the board also questioned Dana Matthews and Tom Ward. The board went into executive session for about 15 minutes before returning. Angie Swiger made a motion to select Cauley. David Tarwater seconded the motion, which passed unanimously.

Longtime board member Bob Callahan and president Norm Moore said they did not deliberate during the executive session. To do so would be a violation of the Alabama Open Meetings Law.

“Of the 15 minutes, probably 12 was talking about the Open Meetings Law,” said Callahan. “(The attorney) read the statute. We asked questions about what we could discuss. I wish we had more latitude, but we are talking about people who are not quite public officials.”

Cauley will be sworn in Jan. 15 in Loxley so that she can participate in the board’s work session. There will be a second, formal investiture ceremony before the regular board meeting Jan. 17 in Bay Minette.