Shelby Tuck is returning to his alma mater as head basketball coach.

After five years coaching the Charles Henderson Middle School team, Tuck was hired Monday as head basketball coach at Charles Henderson High School.

“I’ve always loved the game,” said Tuck, who played for CHHS in the late 1980s and also played at Columbus State in Columbus, Ga. “It’s always been a dream of mine to come back and coach at my alma mater.”

Tuck, who teaches physical education at the middle school, has been serving as interim coach since March, when longtime head coach Carl Hollis resigned.

“Coach Hollis is still teaching, but he’s resigned from coaching basketball,” said Dr. Lee Hicks, superintendent.

Hicks said the system has been interviewing candidates to replace Hollis. “Shelby Tuck was absolutely the best candidate,” Hicks said. “It’s always great to be able to bring someone in who has an understanding of what CHHS has to offer … he has some big shoes to fill, but he understands what we’re capable of doing and we’re excited about the potential he brings to us.”

The Troy City School Board of Education approved Tuck’s hire at Monday’s meeting, and the announcement was greeted with applause and cheers from the more than 50 people who filled the meeting room.

“I can tell by the people who are here tonight that you’re excited about this,” Hicks said.

In other personnel action on Monday, the school board approved the retirement of Dorothy Merritt, Troy Elementary custodian, and Traci McNair, CHHS child nutrition program; the resignation of Louis Thomas, TES child nutrition program; a leave of absence for LaKisha Johnson, TES fourth-grade teacher; and the hire of Jon Cooper, CHHS math teacher effective Aug. 1.

The board also approved a budget amendment, which allowed for the reallocation of approximately $120,000 in carryover federal funds from the 2015 budget. Mickey Daughtry, CFO, said the funds would be used for technology and professional development.