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The Andalusia City Council on Tuesday appointed Dr. Charles Eldridge to the Andalusia City Board of Education.

Dr. Eldridge was appointed to fill the vacancy in the District 5 position created by the untimely passing of longtime board member Dr. David McCalman. The Code of Alabama requires the City Council of the City of Andalusia to fill a vacancy within 30 days.

“Dr. McCalman served this community well, both as a physician and on the board of education,” said Mayor Earl Johnson. “Dr. McCalman led the board through some important projects, and he will be missed.”

Similarly, he said, Dr. Eldridge has served the community in many roles.

“Almost everyone in Andalusia knows Charles Eldridge as ‘Dr. E,’ “ the mayor said of the long-time Andalusia pediatrician. “In both his professional and civic life, he has spent his efforts helping children.”

Eldridge currently chairs the Public Education Building Authority board, and in that role, led the effort to raise more than $1.1 million in private donations for the renovations of the Andalusia High School stadium and auditorium that were completed in 2019.

He previously also has served on the board of Andalusia Health, and the Covington County Child Advocacy Center.

Eldridge is expected to be sworn into office at the board’s next meeting.