HB424 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Mack N. ButlerRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Gadsden, board of education, election at the same time and from the same districts as city council, qualifications, terms, compensation, filling vacancies, referendum

Summary

Gadsden voters would decide whether the city board of education becomes elected, with seven members chosen from city districts in alignment with City Council elections.

What This Bill Does

It authorizes a local referendum to switch the Gadsden City Board of Education from appointed to elected. If approved, a seven-member board will be elected from the same districts as the City Council, with initial elections in 2022 and then every four years, and terms aligned to council terms. The board will have a chair and vice chair, oversee the city school system, set compensation, require annual audits, handle vacancies, and transfer all relevant property and records from the old board to the new one; existing employee rights and contracts remain intact during the transition.

Who It Affects

• Qualified electors of the City of Gadsden who will vote in the referendum and, if approved, voters in each council district who will elect a board member.
• Current and future members of the Gadsden City Board of Education as they transition from appointed to elected status and from the old system to the new system.
• Gadsden City government and the city school system, including governance, compensation, audits, vacancy procedures, and district representation.

Key Provisions

• Authorizes a Gadsden referendum to change the board from appointed to elected; if the majority votes in favor, local law may provide for the election and operation of the board; if not, the current system stays.
• Establishes a seven-member Gadsden City Board of Education elected from the same districts as the City Council; initial and future terms aligned with City Council terms, with the first election in 2022 and thereafter every four years.
• Requires board members to live in the City of Gadsden and in their district; redistricting automatically updates board districts; incumbents moved outside a district finish their term.
• Sets candidate qualifications: at least 21 years old, district residence for at least one year, and no conviction for moral turpitude.
• Vacancies are filled by a majority of the remaining board; if not filled within 60 days, the State Superintendent of Education fills the vacancy.
• Compensation is $600 per month per member (subject to change); annual audits of the city school system and board finances are required and results public.
• The initial board members will select a chair and vice chair; the chair has duties such as presiding over meetings, setting agendas, notifying the public about budget hearings, and ensuring due process; all prior board property and records transfer to the new board.
• The act becomes effective after Governor approval and does not affect existing employee rights, contracts, or ongoing civil/criminal actions.

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

Subjects

Etowah County