Alabama BOE calls special work session to finalize superintendent search plans
The Alabama State Board of Education (BOE) will meet Wednesday for a special-called work session to receive, discuss and finalize the plan for conducting the search for the new state superintendent of education. The vacancy in the position follows former State Superintendent Michael Sentance‘s resignation in September. Sentance was named to the position in August 2016. With less than a full year under his belt, he found himself on the firing line in July as the Alabama Board of Education began to question his performance. Sentance, who oversaw nearly 900 employees at the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), was given a performance review by the state Board of Education in July, where in received low marks, and within two months resigned. The BOE named Dr. Ed Richardson as the interim superintendent following Sentance’s resignation. Richardson had served as the state superintendent from 1995-2004. In December, Alabama’s Board of Education presented a timeline for hiring a state superintendent through a firm. According to AL.com: On Feb. 8, during the regular board meeting, the board will vote on the wording and contents of the “notice of interest” packet for candidates to complete, he said. On Feb. 9, the vacancy will be posted, and applications will be accepted, Taylor said. During the month of March, Taylor said the firm will review candidates and in April, the board will interview finalists. The BOE meeting and work session will be available for live online viewing here.
Auditor Jim Zeigler plays “people’s judge,” hears 29 citizens’ cases against state
State auditor Jim Zeigler on Monday personally heard the cases of 29 Alabama residents who have grievances against the state. The Board of Adjustment, essentially an administrative law court, gives residents the opportunity to have their cases heard. The little-known body is composed of four officials. Three are elected: the State Auditor, State Treasurer and Secretary of State. The fourth is appointed by the governor, the State Finance Director. Zeigler was the only one of the four officials composing the BOA to attend the Monday hearings. The other three officials sent staff employees. “I felt I should be at the hearings listening to those citizens,” Zeigler said. “I felt like Judge Judy. These were everyday people trying to prove damage from actions of state agencies or employees.” “It was almost like a county district court hearing a civil or small claims docket,” Zeigler said. There is no appellate process once a case has been heard by the BOA. So, as on Judge Judy, “the decisions are final.” One case involved a private property damaged by a state-managed forest fire. Zeigler told those assembled he found the case compelling because the embers left behind could have set homes afire. “Only by the grace of God was no one hurt and no homes destroyed,” Zeigler said. The board will decide all the cases at the next scheduled voting session at 10 a.m. June 17 In other cases Monday, Zeigler heard claims by 29 people against Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, the Department of Human Resources, and Jacksonville State.
