Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One -

Summary

A "YES" vote would be a vote in favor of amending the Alabama Constitution by 1) changing the name of the State Board of Education to "Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education;" 2) having members of the commision be appointed by the governor for up to two terms (currently, State Board of Education members are elected by the public, rather than appointed); 3) changing the title of the State Superintendent of Education to "Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education" and having that person be appointed by the commission and confirmed by the State Senate; and 4) authorize the commission to adopt educational standards to replace Common Core.

A "NO" vote would be a vote in favor of keeping the Alabama State Board of Education as an elected body. It would be a vote in opposition to amending the Alabama Constiution by 1) changing the name of the State Board of Education to "Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education;" 2) having members of the commision be appointed by the governor for up to two terms (currently, State Board of Education members are elected by the public, rather than appointed); 3) changing the title of the State Superintendent of Education to "Secretary of Elementary and Secondary Education" and having that person be appointed by the commission and confirmed by the State Senate; and 4) authorize the commission to adopt educational standards to replace Common Core.

Arguments

Opponents of the proposed amendment like Jessica Barker, the president of the African-American grassroots group, New South, argues that the amendment takes away voters' right to decide who can represent them on a local level. She believes the people, not the governor, should keep control over the board. 'I think that because the governor is so far removed from the actual issues affecting people of color and impact those of the low socio-economic sector,' said Barker. 'I think that she is so removed, whoever she appoints, they may not even be familiar with those issues.', in opposition to Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

Advocates of Amendment One like former state board of education member Mary Scott Hunter believe a new commission would make one person, the governor, accountable for education. 'The governor, if they run on education and they make promises about public education, they better darn well deliver because they have the power to do that,' said Scott Hunter., in support of Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

Supporting Amendment 1 removes the state board from the whims of the election cycle,' Gov. Ivey said previously. 'Currently, Alabama is one of only six states without an appointed board. It’s time we finally align ourselves with other high-achieving states. We need education leaders and a structure that works in the best interest of our students, and Amendment 1 offers a bold plan that Alabamians can support.', in support of Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

Amendment 1 offers voters an opportunity to take the first step to improving public schools,' said Federation President Jimmy Parnell, who chairs the campaign. 'Voters recognize that public K-12 schools are undeniably at the bottom of almost every national ranking. At the same time, instability has become the norm at the top of the Alabama State Department of Education, which has seen five state superintendents in the last four years.', in support of Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

As representative for State Board of Education District One, I am vehemently opposed to any attempt take away the voice of the people,' Jackie Zeigler said. 'Elimination of your elected State Board of Education Constitutional officers would be one step closer to having the Educational Trust Fund fall into the hands of individuals whose main intent may not be our students’ best interest. We must continue to be aware of the consequences that will result from this attempt to take away the power of the citizens.', in opposition to Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

AASB has no illusion that a change in governance will be a panacea for the challenges facing Alabama public schools. We do believe a governance change could be the pivotal turning point and create the momentum for increasing education funding and addressing other issues impacting school performance such as poverty, declining populations in rural communities and equitable access., in support of Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

The GOP resolution said they urge people to vote no and 'retain our right to elect' school board members. The resolution said they also fear the new standards will lock in Common Core 'by a different name.', in opposition to Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

It takes away our right to vote,' said Beck Gerritson, the Eagle Forum's executive director. 'We like to be able to have a say in who is going to represent us.', in opposition to Proposed Statewide Amendment Number One (Learn more)

Measure Details