By Gerri Miller
EAN Staff Writer
Top photo shows Anderson with her husband Kirk. At right she is with her family.
Autauga County Public School System’s new Chief School Financial Officer (CSFO) Amber Anderson is a familiar face to many people in the River Region. That’s because she’s worked in the same position before and was most recently working with the Alabama Association of School Boards as the CSFO for the LEAD Academy Public Charter School.
Anderson and her daughter moved to Prattville in September of 2011 from Calhoun County so that she could take the CSFO position. At that time, the school system was struggling financially with a $200,000 general fund reserve and a line of credit to make payroll. The state-required reserve was $5 million.
“I was 28 at the time and a first time CFSO, but I was driven,” Anderson said. “I worked tirelessly with the incoming superintendent to turn the system’s financially trajectory around.”
Anderson left the Autauga School System in 2014 to join the Alabama Association of School Boards as the Director of Finance and Operations.
The year 2014 also brought another big change – her marriage to Kirk Anderson. Some may know her by her maiden name Amber Dennis. She and her husband are members of CenterPoint Fellowship Church and are the proud parents of three children- Chloe Steakley, 17; Landon Anderson, 14; and Evan Anderson, 13. The family resides in Prattville.
“We love this community and have so much invested in it,” Anderson said. Her husband Kirk is the owner of Express Fitness with locations in Prattville, Pine Level, Millbrook, Wetumpka, Montgomery and Clanton.
“We have a passion for our community as a whole, but especially our school system and small business,” Anderson said. “We are about to launch a new franchise called Smash My Trash in the Montgomery and Auburn territories which will start primarily in Prattville.”
Smash My Trash is a mobile compaction service for industrial and construction dumpsters.
Anderson is a graduate of Jacksonville State University with a master’s degree in business education.
Anderson said she has been invested in the Prattville community for a long time and is excited to be in a position to make a difference in its school system.
“As much as I will miss the wonderful relationships I have created at LEAD Academy and the wonderful work taking place, I am grateful and excited to have the opportunity to return to Autauga County Schools,” Anderson said. “Autauga County is our home and where my heart resides. I look forward to working with the board and Mr. Tidmore. I think our school system will benefit greatly from the fresh perspective that Mr. Tidmore brings. Together, I hope we can make ACBOE and all of its employees, students and stakeholders proud to be part of this school system and community.”
Anderson thanked the Autauga County School Board for the opportunity to serve the school system. “I must say, 2021 is looking to be a very exciting year!” she said.
