HB389 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

County Superintendent of Education, required to be appointed unless provided otherwise by constitution

Summary

HB 389 would require county superintendents of education to be appointed by the county board of education, rather than elected, with a transition plan for current elected superintendents.

What This Bill Does

It changes how county superintendents are selected from election to appointment by the local board, except where the state Constitution provides otherwise. The change takes effect at the end of an elected superintendent’s term or if a vacancy occurs after January 1, 2021. Boards may convert an elected superintendent to an appointed one for an additional term by contract, without the standard posting procedures, but must notify the superintendent by March 1 of the last year of their term whether they intend to contract for another term.

Who It Affects

• County boards of education: will appoint superintendents and, if desired, may extend an elected superintendent's term via a contract with a March 1 notification deadline.
• Currently elected county superintendents: will transition to appointed status; boards may retain them for an additional term through a contract if they choose.
• Students and families in counties served by county education systems: governance of local schools would shift from elected to appointed leadership.

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): Except as otherwise provided by the Alabama Constitution, a county superintendent of education shall be appointed by the county board of education.
• Section 1(b): The appointment requirement applies at the end of an elected superintendent's term or upon a vacancy occurring after January 1, 2021.
• Section 1(c): A board may extend the term of an elected superintendent by appointing and contracting for an additional term without the posting procedures required by Section 16-9-11; the board must notify the elected superintendent by March 1 of the last year of their term whether they intend to contract for another term.
• Section 2: The act becomes effective immediately after governor approval (or when it becomes law).

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

Subjects

Education