HB252 Alabama 2010 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Ronald Grantland

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2010

Title

Hartselle, board of education, election of members, qualifications, terms, compensation, chair, referendum

Summary

The bill would let Hartselle voters decide to switch from an appointed to an elected City Board of Education and, if approved, create a five-member at-large board with defined rules and transitional steps.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a municipal referendum to change the Hartselle City Board of Education from appointed to elected; if the majority votes in favor, the act creates the Hartselle City Board of Education and sets initial rules. The new board would have five at-large members who must live in Hartselle, with terms tied to the city council, plus candidate requirements, a vacancy process, and a monthly stipend for initial members. It also requires annual independent audits, chair/vice chair duties, compliance with the Voting Rights Act, and transitional provisions about transferring authority and assets from the old board; initial elections would occur with the next general municipal election after DOJ approval.

Who It Affects

• Residents and qualified voters of the City of Hartselle, who would vote in the referendum and elect five at-large school board members.
• City government and school system entities (Hartselle City Council, current Board of Education, City Superintendent, State Department of Education, and city school employees), who would implement the transition, set policies, conduct elections, manage vacancies, and oversee audits and governance under the new framework.

Key Provisions

• Authorization of a referendum to change from an appointed to an elected city board of education, with local laws potentially detailing implementation.
• Establishment of a five-member, at-large Hartselle City Board of Education, each member residing in Hartselle during their term, with chair and vice chair elected from the board.
• Candidate qualifications: at least 19 years old, residency and qualification as a voter in Hartselle for 90 consecutive days, no crime involving moral turpitude, and a qualifying fee equal to the city council seats, credited to the city general fund.
• Elections: initial board elections held with the next general municipal election after DOJ approval, conducted like city council elections, with terms aligned to city council terms and possible runoff.
• Vacancy process: vacancies filled by board majority for the unexpired term; if not filled within 45 days, the city council fills; if still not filled, the State Superintendent of Education fills the vacancy; appointees must reside in Hartselle and serve the unexpired term.
• Compensation: initial board members receive $500 per month; future compensation set by the board.
• Auditing: annual independent audit of the city school system and the board, with results public and reported to the Examiners of Public Accounts.
• Transitional provisions: transfer of property, records, and powers from the old board to the new board; rights of employees and existing contracts protected.
• Compliance: requirement to meet federal Voting Rights Act standards in implementing the act.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Morgan County