From The Trussville Tribune staff reports
MONTGOMERY — Voters in Alabama on Tuesday resoundingly voted down Gov. Kay Ivey’s push to appoint a new state school board.
Amendment One, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tem Del Marsh, would have ended state elections for Alabama Board of Education members. Though later praised by Ivey, voters were less than thrilled with the constitutional amendment that would have terminated the elected state school board and would have replaced them with members appointed by the governor.
Unofficially, over 75% of voters rejected the proposal.
“Amendment One was a bold and ambitious effort to transform our state’s public schools,” Ivey’s office said in a statement. “Governor Ivey was willing to step out and support this idea because she firmly believed leadership — and change — started with the Board itself. Tonight, however, it appears the fear of losing the right to elect our State School Board members was greater than the confidence we had that fundamental change could be made.”
The amendment would have made the school board a nine-member panel instead of an eight-member elected board. The governor would have appointed the members and the Senate would have confirmed.
It also called for new standards of learning to be developed.
“While disappointed, the governor’s resolve to improve our public education system remains intact,” Ivey’s office said. “Amendment One is not where her plans for education stop, and you’ll see her continue to be more innovative and creative with her approach to improving Alabama.”
Alabama remains as just one of 11 states that elects state school boards.