Volume 35, No. 14
May 18, 2009
Legislature Ends Session Productively
For Local School Boards
Despite a rocky start, the 2009 Regular Legislative Session resulted in some big wins for Alabama’s school boards. Most notably, the education budget targeted both state and federal dollars to K-12 priorities in time for school boards to set FY2010 local budgets. In policy matters, legislation to restrict local autonomy was defeated when lawmakers voted NO on the school start date bill. Lawmakers also refused to approve the Academic Freedom Act and Tim Tebow bills.
In addition, several key pieces of legislation supported by AASB were approved and either have been enacted or are in the process of becoming law!
Thanks to lawmakers for keeping local schools’ best interests a priority during the session. And thanks to school board members and other leaders for their timely and tireless advocacy on K-12 issues. Stay tuned for AASB’s publication of the 2009 Legislative Enactments in June.
Public School Tax Authority Fix
Goes to Voters
It took all of the K-12 education community working together Thursday to win Senate approval for H.253, a constitutional amendment to fix the approval requirement for a 1-mill property tax for schools. Thanks go to Sen. Quinton Ross and Sen. Hank Sanders for working above and beyond the call of duty to ensure passage of the measure. And thanks to the many senators who took time to speak to K-12 leaders to understand the impact and importance of this issue for schools. Because it is a constitutional amendment, 21 votes were necessary for passage. The initial vote was shy of that count, but the Senate rallied to give it final passage by a 25-3 vote.
The constitutional amendment addresses a 1-mill tax that is part of 5 specific taxes Alabama has authorized all counties to levy for educational purposes. Through various constitutional amendments, all school boards have authority to get voter approval for up to 15 mills in property taxes for public school purposes. All but one of the taxes requires a simple majority of voters to approve the tax. Only the 1- mill county tax requires a 3/5 super majority for approval.
H.253 is a constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters, would make it easier to renew the existing local 1-mill countywide property tax for education for the 124 school systems where the tax is levied. It would remove the 3/5 super majority requirement and change it to a simple majority. Because the measure is a constitutional amendment, it does not require signature by the governor. It is now Act 09-551.
Banking Program Option for Local Boards
Enacted: Act 09-471
AASB applauds the enactment of H.143 to expand banking options of school boards. The bill would allow school boards to place certain funds in programs that provide full FDIC coverage for deposits that exceed normal FDIC limits.
Pending Governor’s Signature
Drop-Out Prevention Effort
School Age Raised to 17
AASB fully supports enactment of S.334 to raise the compulsory school age from 16 to 17 years of age. The bill would accomplish a goal set by AASB’s delegate assembly that supports requiring children to attend school until age17. The drop-out provisions of the bill would apply only to public school students.
The bill would set up procedures for students over age 17 who intend to drop out of school. If a student plans to withdraw prior to graduation, the bill would require an exit interview. A parent/guardian would be provided information explaining the impact dropping out of school may have on a student’s future. The new law also seeks data collection in an effort identify alternate pathways for students who choose to leave school.
School Bid Law Clarified in New Code Section
AASB fully supports enactment of a bill to recodify the bid law for public education. S.418 would replicate the bid law to apply to public education in a new section in the Alabama Code, the Education Title. Future changes could then apply only to education and not interfere with other local governmental entities that use the bid law for distinctly different purchases.
Teacher Program Background Check
AASB fully supports the enactment of a bill to require students applying to enter a teacher education program to first pass a background check. The Alabama Child Protection Act of 1999 already requires prospective teachers to undergo a criminal history background check (CHBC) to apply for certification. S.270 would make that background check part of the admission process to a teacher education program at each Alabama two-year and four-year institution of higher education.
More Waiting for Governor’s Signature
One-Month Reserve Bill
AASB fully supports enactment of S. 165 to codify when school systems may access the one-month reserve as outlined by the School Fiscal Accountability Act. The bill specifies, but is not limited to, use of the fund when the governor declares proration or there are reductions in state funding.
Comprehensive School Safety Plan
A bill to require each school system to have a comprehensive school safety plan received final passage in the Senate by a 26-0 vote. Local boards already have in place safety plans that comply with a gubernatorial executive order and the federal No Child Left Behind Act. H.199 goes further to include a variety of protocols, including: response and notification in emergency events; access to the school building by law enforcement for training; and requiring each principal to conduct specific drills.
Alabama Authorized to Join Interstate
Commission for Students of Military Families
The bill authorizes Alabama to join the Interstate Commission on Educational Opportunity for Military Children. The Commission seeks to streamline various education policies applicable to children who must transfer schools across state lines because of their parent/guardian’s military duty assignments.
Creative Student Discipline Bill Links
Discipline to Driver’s License Eligibility
AASB supports enactment of a bill to establish a school disciplinary point system that determines at what age a student is eligible to apply for a learner’s permit or driver’s license. Sponsored by Sen. Bobby Denton and Rep. Mike Curtis, the legislation proposes a system that would subject students who are habitually punished for infractions at school to consequences that hit home. Each point would result in a one-week delay in becoming eligible to obtain a learner’s permit or driver’s license.
The provisions would apply to any student over the age of 12 enrolled in a public or private secondary school. The bill would not go into effect until the student data management system has the technical capabilities to track, manage and coordinate the point system.
Posting Vacancy Law Pending Enactment
H.64 would require uniform requirements for posting notices of vacancies for county and city superintendents as well as state education officials. The bill specifies posting protocol which includes a 30-day posting period before which the position can be filled. School boards and superintendents successfully worked to remove objectionable provisions in this version of the legislation.
P.E. Bill Goes to Governor
A state Board of Education policy that requires 30 minutes of physical education each day for grades K-8 becomes law should Gov. Riley sign H.719. AASB believes the state Board of Education is the proper authority to set curriculum standards, physical education included. The immediate concern with H.719 is the language prohibiting any exceptions by law. K-12 leaders expect that language will prove to be problematic. P.E. advocates see this legislation as the first step in their zeal to address the P.E. curriculum by statute.
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Local school boards work with legislative leaders to accomplish the public’s highest priority -- educating our children.
The 2009 Regular Legislative Session has ended.
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Enacted Legislation: A Recap of Education-Related Legislative Acts Coming Soon.
Alabama Association of School Boards
Celebrating 60 years of helping local education leaders improve student achievement.
Don’t miss
AASB’s 2009 Summer Conference
“Navigating Rough Waters,
Seeking Student Success”
July 26-28, 2009
Schools are facing tough economic times. Training plays an important role as leaders for public education, boards and superintendents navigate through rough waters to help all students succeed.
Join your colleagues from around the state to learn about the leadership, policies and support needed to create an effective school system in challenging financial times. At this conference, you will learn how to stretch your stimulus dollars and stay informed on key federal legislative issues.
Register today by visiting www.AlabamaSchoolBoards.Org
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