SB25 Alabama 2018 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Greg AlbrittonSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2018

Title

Education, membership of St. Bd of Ed. revised and changed from elected to appointed by State Super of Ed., State Super of Ed. changed from appointed by State Bd of Ed. to by Governor with confirmation by Senate, qualifications and terms of board members, Secs. 16-3-1.1, 16-4-1.1 repealed; Secs. 16-2-1, 16-2-2, 16-2-3, 16-3-1 to 16-3-5, inclusive, 16-3-7, 16-3-8, 16-3-9, 16-4-1am'd.

Summary

SB 25 would replace the State Board of Education with a Board of Counsel, eliminate the State Superintendent of Education, and create a Director of Education appointed by the Governor (with Senate confirmation) who would appoint the Board and lead K-12 policy.

What This Bill Does

It creates a 13-member Board of Counsel to replace the State Board of Education and removes the Governor as an ex officio member. The Board is appointed by a Director of Education, a cabinet-level position appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation, who also leads the Department of Education. The State Superintendent of Education would be eliminated and a Director of Education would assume that leadership role; the bill also sets qualifications, terms, vacancies, and the election of a president and vice-president for the Board. It repeals certain election district provisions and ties its implementation to ratification of a constitutional amendment; it includes specific compensation rules for Board members and states the act takes effect after the amendment is ratified.

Who It Affects

• Students and the general public: governance and oversight of K-12 education would shift from the current State Board of Education to a Board of Counsel.
• Local school district leaders (superintendents and boards): seven members would be actively serving local superintendents and six would be actively serving local boards of education on the new Board of Counsel, affecting representation and influence for districts.
• Governor and state government: the Governor would no longer have an ex officio seat on the board and would instead appoint the Director of Education (with Senate confirmation) who appoints the Board.
• Educators and Department staff: the State Superintendent of Education would be eliminated and a Director of Education would become the cabinet-level leader, potentially shifting duties, hiring, and policy direction for the Department of Education.

Key Provisions

• Creates a 13-member Board of Counsel to oversee K-12 education and replaces the State Board of Education.
• Eliminates the State Superintendent of Education and establishes the Director of Education as a cabinet-level position appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation.
• The Director of Education appoints the members of the Board of Counsel; Board members must meet specified qualifications, serve defined terms, and vacancies are filled subject to Senate confirmation.
• The Board of Counsel elects a president and a vice-president; the Director of Education serves as secretary and executive officer to the board.
• Reorganizes the Department of Education under the Director of Education; the Director serves as the governor’s principal advisor on K-12 policy.
• Repeals sections related to election districts for Board members and vacancy filling for the State Superintendent, and requires a constitutional amendment for implementation.
• Provides for per diem and travel reimbursements for Board members and an additional monthly expense allowance funded by the Education Trust Fund.
• Effective date is immediate upon passage but contingent on ratification of a constitutional amendment authorizing the Director of Education to appoint Board of Counsel members.

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