The State Board of Education (SBOE) unanimously approved State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey's recommendation for state intervention into Dallas County Schools (DCS) during Thursday's board meeting, citing concerns with the system's financial management. The board also approved a comprehensive repeal and replacement of Alabama Administrative Code Chapter 290-3-3, pertaining to Educator Preparation Programs, and heard from proponents in higher education supportive of these changes.

State Intervention in Dallas County Schools

Mackey cited a productive meeting with the Dallas County Board of Education, which unanimously approved a resolution Feb. 27 to comply with the state's intervention in the areas of finances. DCS is now the third Alabama school system under state intervention, joining Sumter County and Bessmer City Schools (BCS). Dr. Daniel Boyd will assume responsibilities as the chief academic officer for DCS, the same role he currently holds in BCS as part of its intervention.

Intervention-Related Legislative Update

The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) is pursuing legislation to expand the state's role in a system intervention. H.344 by Rep. Terri Collins and its Senate companion S.215 by Sen. Donnie Chesteen would add a five-year provisional release from state intervention. If at any time during this five-year provisional release the system does not meet the conditions of its release or has demonstrated it is unable to properly oversee system operations, it may be returned to state intervention. The bill also would give the state superintendent authority to summon witnesses and subpoena records and other information relating to any matter which the ALSDE or the SBOE has authority to administer or regulate, including state intervention.

Educator Preparation Programs in Administrative Code 

Changes to the Education Preparation chapter of the Alabama Administrative Code will ensure higher education institutions are preparing teacher candidates in alignment with the Alabama Numeracy Act and providing more field experience for teacher candidates. The ALSDE worked alongside educator preparation programs to significantly revise and rewrite this chapter, which has been amended several times recently due to legislative changes.

Changes to U.S. Department of Education: 

Mackey provided an update on recent announcements from the U.S. Department of Education regarding staff layoffs and potential program reorganization. Earlier this week, the U.S. Department of Education cut approximately 1,300 staff. There have been no other funding or program cuts officially announced. Alabama's federal funding for K-12 public education has not been affected. Mackey said around 10% of Alabama's K-12 education funding is federal, the majority of which is for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the Title programs under the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA). Child nutrition is funded through the federal Department of Agriculture, including the school breakfast and lunch program, after-school and weekend meals, and food banks and summer feeding programs, which serve children and adults.

IDEA and ESSA are federal law. Any changes to these laws or the structure of the U.S. Department of Education would require congressional action.

Jefferson County's Dr. Walter Gonsoulin National Superintendent of the Year

In the board's April 10 meeting, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Walter Gonsoulin will be formally recognized as the 37th National Superintendent of the Year by AASA, the National Association for School Superintendents. He also will be commended by the Alabama Legislature on that date. Gonsoulin is the first Alabama superintendent to receive this honor.

Board Meeting Action

• Resolution of Distinguished Recognition for Mrs. Shelley Kaler, Pell City School System, as the National Association for Career and Technical Education Counseling and Career Development Professional of the Year, State School Board District Six
• Resolution to Approve Educator Preparation Programs, University of Alabama at Birmingham
• Resolution to Approve an Alternative Teacher Preparation Organization, American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (Passed on a 5-2 vote)

Work Session Discussion

• Resolution to Approve Educator Preparation Programs, Athens State University
• Resolution to Modify Praxis Assessments and Scores as a Precondition for Initial Certification in Social Studies, Family and Consumer Science, and Technology Education
• Resolutions to Appoint the 2025-2026 State Textbook Committee for Arts Education and Social Studies Grades K-12AASB members will serve on both textbook committees.
• Resolution in Recognition of Alabama 2025 Purple Star Schools
  - Alabama is #2 in the nation for the most military-family friendly schools!
• Resolution Honoring Alabama Educator Mary Travis, Dr. Robert W. Gilliard Elementary School, Mobile County School System, Recipient of the National Milken Educator Award, State School Board District Five
• Resolution to Approve the Nomination for the Alabama School of Fine Arts Board of Trustees
• Resolution in Recognition of April 2025 as School Library Month in Alabama
• Announcement of Intent to Extend/Renew State Superintendent’s Contract
  - In preparation for next month's vote to renew Mackey's contract for another four years through 2029, the board discussed its timeframe and the contract's effective date.

Next SBOE Meeting and Work Session:

The board’s next regular meeting will take place during Thursday, April 10, 2025, at 10 a.m. in Montgomery with a work session immediately following:

• Gordon Persons Building Auditorium
• Livestream viewing: https://www.youtube.com/user/aldeptofed/live
• Archived meeting and work session recordings: https://www.alabamaachieves.org/state-board-of-education/meeting-videos/

Ada Katherine van Wyhe, MPA
Director of Governmental Relations