SB222 Alabama 2019 Session

Updated Feb 24, 2026

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Tom ButlerSenator
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2019
Title: County Superintendent of Education, required to be appointed unless provided otherwise by constitution
Summary: SB 222 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
The bill changes how county superintendents are chosen to appointments by the county board, unless the Constitution allows otherwise. It sets a transition rule that the appointment requirement takes effect when an elected term ends or there is a vacancy after January 1, 2023. It also lets boards contract with an elected superintendent to continue serving as an appointed superintendent for an additional term, with notice deadlines for terms ending in 2020 or 2022. The act becomes effective immediately upon passage and governor's approval.

Who It Affects
County boards of education: must appoint county superintendents by the board and decide, under the transition rules, whether to contract an elected superintendent for an additional term as an appointed leader.
Current elected county superintendents of education: may be offered an additional term through a contract to remain in the role as an appointed superintendent if their term ends in 2020 or 2022, subject to board notice deadlines.

Key Provisions
Section 1(a): Except as allowed by the 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 term or upon a vacancy after January 1, 2023.
Section 1(c): Beginning on the act's effective date, boards may continue an elected superintendent as an appointed superintendent for an additional term by contract, without the usual posting procedures, with notices by September 1, 2019 (for terms ending in 2020) or September 1, 2021 (for terms ending in 2022).
Section 2: The act takes effect immediately after passage and 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