Governor Ivey Makes Statement on Bill Regarding State Board of Education

MONTGOMERY – Governor Kay Ivey on Thursday delivered a letter to the State Board of Education, regarding a bill being filed by Sen. Del Marsh in the Alabama Legislature today. The bill would change the state’s current elected State Board of Education to a Commission appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Alabama State Senate, if passed by the Legislature and approved by the people of Alabama with a constitutional amendment. Additionally, the governor has held conversations with each of the Board members and the State Superintendent of Education on this matter.
Upon delivering the letter, Governor Ivey released the following statement:
“Since day one, I have made it abundantly clear to the people of Alabama, our students and educators across the state that improving our education system is a top priority of mine as governor. We can all agree that Alabama students should be given the opportunity for a quality education. Unfortunately, that is not happening today.
We have been listed at the bottom of just about every education ranking you can find. We need education leaders and a structure that works in the best interest of our students. With this bold change, we will establish accountability and stability at the top, improving educational outcomes for all students across the state. Our students and teachers deserve much more from our educational system, and this constitutional amendment is a way forward for Alabama’s future.
We must refuse to be complacent with our poor educational rankings. I strongly urge members of the Alabama Legislature and people across the state to join me in supporting this bill.”
Governor Ivey’s letter to the State Board of Education members can be found here.
###