HB387 Alabama 2019 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Steve McMillan

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2019

Title

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

Summary

HB 387 would require county superintendents of education to be appointed by the county board of education, moving away from elected positions, with a transition path for current elected superintendents.

What This Bill Does

It changes how county superintendents are chosen to appointment by the local board, except where the state Constitution allows elections. For elected superintendents, boards may contract to continue them as appointed for an additional term without the normal posting process, and must notify the superintendent by specific dates if they intend to do so (by September 1, 2019 for terms ending in 2020, and by September 1, 2021 for terms ending in 2022). The appointment requirement takes effect after January 1, 2023, at the expiration of an elected superintendent’s term or upon a vacancy. The act becomes law immediately after the Governor signs it.

Who It Affects

• County boards of education — must appoint superintendents (except where the Constitution provides otherwise), decide whether to contract an elected superintendent for an additional term, and manage transitional terms.
• County superintendents of education — currently elected officials who may be moved to an appointed status; could be kept for an extra term as appointed if the board chooses, with specific notice deadlines depending on their term end.

Key Provisions

• Section 1(a): All county superintendents shall be appointed by the county board of education, except as otherwise provided by the Constitution of Alabama of 1901.
• Section 1(b): The appointment requirement applies at the expiration of an elected superintendent’s term or upon a vacancy after January 1, 2023.
• Section 1(c): A board may continue the services of an elected superintendent by appointing and extending the contract for an additional term, without the usual posting procedures, with the contract executable at any time during the current term; boards must notify elected superintendents by September 1, 2019 (for terms ending in 2020) or September 1, 2021 (for terms ending in 2022) about whether they intend to contract for an additional term.
• Section 2: The act becomes effective immediately after approval by the Governor.

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