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Thursday, March 28, 2024

Alabama School Board

Credit: WCBI
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Alabama School Board
Alabama School Board

From the ballot box to the grade book, Alabama voters face a number of important decisions on march 3rd, but one of them could have a major impact on education throughout the state.

Stinger from the ballot box to the grade book... alabama voters face a number of important decisions on march 3rd, but one of them could have a major impact on education throughout the state.

Voters will have the opportunity to vote yes or no for "amendment one"-- a controversial proposal that determines the future of the state school board.

Our cash matlock spoke with educators in lamar county today.

He joins us live in the studio with a breakdown of the new amendment.

Right now, alabama state school board members are áelectedá by the people.

After march 3rd, there's a possibility new members, as well as the state superintendent, will be áappointedá by the governor and other state leaders.

Some area educators do not agree with this.

Vance herron is the current superintendent for lamar county alabama.

He was elected to this position three years ago... a process, he believes firmly in.

"we feel like the people should have a voice."

On march 3rd, herron is up for re-election... but there's another matter on the ballot that has his attention.

It's called amendment one.

"they will see where it's renaming the state board of education and renaming the superintendent of education."

Herron says this wording can be deceiving.

"it's allowing the governor to appoint our state board members."

"the people of not just this county, but the state, are going to lose their vote."

County board members will still hold elections, but herron says changing school officials on a state level will have a noticeable affect..

"the state board of education and the state superintendent pretty much set standards that we all have to go by in the state of alabama."

He says whoever the governor appointments, isn't required to have a background in education.

"we're not sure what direction we would be going into, who we would answer to.

We're not sure about what kind of curriculum would be put out there for us to teach."

If the people vote yes on amendment one, herron says it won't be long until area students see a change.

"a lot of things are going to get took away on the local level.

There's a lot of decisions that's going to be made for us from montgomery without even considering if that's the best thing for our system or not."

"if there's too much change, it's going to affect our students."

The alabama democratic party primary is march 3rd.

For more information on amendment one, visit our website at wcbi dot

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