SB25 Alabama 2018 Session

Under existing law, the membership of the State Board of Education includes the Governor as an ex officio member and eight members elected from districts provided by general law

Also under existing law, the State Superintendent of Education is appointed by the State Board of Education

This bill would establish a 13-member Board of Counsel in lieu of the State Board of Education, would remove the Governor from ex officio membership on the reconstituted and renamed board, and would provide for the appointment of the members of the board by a Director of Education, who is appointed by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate

This bill would eliminate the position of State Superintendent of Education and provide for the creation of the position of Director of Education as a cabinet level position with service at the pleasure of the Governor

This bill would specify the qualifications of the members of the Board of Counsel and would provide for the terms of office and the filling of vacancies of members

This bill would also provide for the election of a president and vice-president of the Board of Counsel

To amend Sections 16-2-1, 16-2-2, 16-2-3, 16-3-1, 16-3-2, 16-3-3, 16-3-4, 16-3-5, 16-3-7, 16-3-8, 16-3-9, and 16-4-1, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to the selection, qualifications, and terms of office of the members of the State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education; to establish a Board of Counsel in lieu of the State Board of Education; to eliminate the position of State Superintendent of Education and establish the position of Director of Education as a cabinet level position with service at the pleasure of the Governor; to provide for the appointment of the members of the Board of Counsel by the Director of Education; to specify the qualifications of members of the Board of Counsel; to provide for terms and the filling of vacancies of members of the board; to provide for the election of a president and vice president of the board; to repeal Sections 16-3-1.1 and 16-4-1.1, Code of Alabama 1975, relating to State Board of Education election districts and the filling of a vacancy in the office of State Superintendent of Education; and to provide for an effective date contingent upon ratification of a constitutional amendment eliminating the office of State Superintendent of Education and the State Board of Education and authorizing the creation of the position of Director of Education and a Board of Counsel in lieu thereof.