Robert Bentley swears in new board for 2-year colleges

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Governor Robert Bentley
Photo Credit: AP

Gov. Robert Bentley has appointed the state’s first commission to oversee Alabama’s 25 community and technical colleges.

Senate Bill 191, sponsored by Sen. Trip Pittman was signed into law in early May. During floor debate, Rep. Steve McMillan, who carried the bill in the House of Representatives, said that the shift would help the schools to focus on developing more specialized training programs and preparing entry-level employees to meet growing workforce demands.

The state board of education had been responsible for community colleges, junior colleges, technical colleges, and trade schools. The group was not in favor of the legislation, calling it a “power grab” by Alabama lawmakers. Mary Scott Hunter, member of the state board, will serve as a nonvoting member of the commission and a liaison between the community college system and the BOE.

Bentley swore in the new commission in a ceremony at the Capitol on Wednesday. The eight-member committee has already been sworn in by the Senate.

  • Al Thompson III, representing Alabama Congressional District 1
  • Ron Fantroy, representing Alabama Congressional District 2
  • Susan Blythe Foy, representing Alabama Congressional District 3
  • J. Frank Caldwell, representing Alabama Congressional District 4
  • Crystal Brown, representing Alabama Congressional District 5
  • Milton Davis, representing Alabama Congressional District 6
  • Chuck Smith, representing Alabama Congressional District 7
  • Blake McAnally, representing the at-large position

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