Contract complete: Georgia Washington Middle School to be sold to Pike Road
After enough back and forth to make your head spin, Georgia Washington Middle School will finally be sold to the town of Pike Road. On Friday, May 11, interim State Superintendent Dr. Ed Richardson executed a contract that will ultimately generate $9.85 million for the cash-strapped Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) General Fund, and give MPS an annual recurring savings estimated at $600,000. The sale has been months in the making after the Alabama Education Association (AEA) initially halted it by filing a lawsuit on behalf of three Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) employees. The suit — made against Richardson, Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone and Chief Administrative Officer Reginald Eggleston — claimed Richardson did not have the legal authority to sell the school and questioned whether or not the sale is a conflict of interest for Richardson who was previously involved with Pike Road Schools as executive director of the Pike Road Leadership Council. Ahead of a court hearing in March, the town of Pike Road’s terminated the contract to pursue “other options” to serve its students in the fall. Ultimately, the Alabama Supreme Court stepped in and ordered the Montgomery County Circuit Court to dismiss the case saying Richardson’s decision to put the school up for sale fell is within his legal authority as interim superintendent, due to the school system’s financial issues. Richardson had announced the sale of the school during a February during a press conference when an intervention plan of the Montgomery Public School System was released. He said if the school wasn’t sold, layoffs would have to be made.
Ed Richardson says Montgomery schools need to cut teachers jobs
An interim superintendent in Alabama says about 200 teacher positions in Montgomery will have to be eliminated and outsource 400 support jobs to stabilize finances. Al.com reports that Ed Richardson says the Alabama Education Association could have prevented the job cuts for Montgomery Public Schools if it had not gone to court to block his plan to sell Georgia Washington Middle School to the town of Pike Road. Richardson led a state intervention into Montgomery schools because of financial and academic problems. Montgomery Mayor Todd Strange joined Richardson during the news conference Thursday. The city has no authority over education, but the city expended some time and money studying the possibility of a city school system but determined it was not feasible. The AEA represents teachers and other education employees. “Now here’s a system that’s already struggling with academic problems,” Richardson said. “The original plan, we did not have to cut any teacher nor outsource any employees. And now we’re faced with that distasteful task and by the end of this month, April, we will make those decisions.” The AEA said in a statement that Richardson had a conflict of interest since he worked as a consultant for the Pike Road system. “Anyone paying attention to the matter knows Ed Richardson has a personal issue with AEA,” AEA President Sherry Tucker said in a statement. “This is causing him to make decisions that he thinks will hurt AEA, regardless of if they will help the children of Montgomery County.” However, Richardson said the AEA’s claim is “totally false.” “Wherever I’m employed is where I give my full attention,” Richardson said. “In this case it’s trying to get the intervention for Montgomery Public Schools in a position where they have a chance to be released sometime in the near future.” Richardson said he still expects Georgia Washington and the three other schools to close. Robert Porterfield, president of the Montgomery Public Schools Board, said Richardson was being prematurely negative. “We were accredited before the state came and we have not been unaccredited and I think you’re making a big to-do out of this before the board gets an opportunity to even see what they’ve come up with,” Porterfield said. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
State School Board outlines plans for selection of new State Superintendent
The state school board on Tuesday outlined plans for the selection of the new State Superintendent of Education culminating with the final selection taking place on April 20. The following dateline describes the process by which the new State Superintendent of Education will be selected: Thursday, April 12, 10 a.m.: Executive Leadership Search Firm, Ray and Associates, will meet with the State Board during the work session to explain the process. They will also answer board members’ questions after the presentation. They are currently checking resumes, contacting references, and processing background checks. Please do not contact the search firm. They will provide a complete report to the entire state board at the work session. Friday, April 13, 9 a.m.: Ray and Associates will meet with the state board to recommend a list of semifinalists based on board criteria and the firm’s research. Board members will select finalists for interviews. Friday, April 20, 10 a.m.: Finalists will be interviewed and the board will vote to select the next Alabama State Superintendent of Education. Ray and Associates will guide the interview process which will be explained in more detail at the work session on April 12. School board members are endeavoring to find a replacement for former Superintendent Michael Sentence, who resigned in September 2017. Sentance had been named to the position August 2016. With less than a full year under his belt as the State Superintendent, he found himself on the firing line in July 2017 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. In the months that followed, Sentance has found himself at the center of a debate as to whether or not he should be removed from his position. Many expected his firing to be eminent, but he resigned before it could happen. Ed Richardson — who previously served as the Alabama State Superintendent of Education from October 1995 to January 2004, and then as President of Auburn University from 2004-2007 — is currently serving interim state education superintendent until the position is filled.
Following expiration, Pike Road terminates purchase contract for Georgia Washington Middle School
On Monday a contract for the sale of Georgia Washington Middle School to the Town of Pike Road expired amid an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Alabama Education Association (AEA) on behalf of three Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) employees. A judge in the Montgomery County Circuit Court was scheduled to hear the case on Thursday, but Pike Road’s attorney, Susan Copeland, told WFSA-12 the town has gone ahead and terminated the contract and is pursuing “other options” to serve students in the fall. Copeland’s full statement is below: Pike Road’s termination of the contract for the purchase of Georgia Washington school does moot that part of the appeal that concerns the sale of GW school. However, the trial court’s injunction on appeal was much broader than merely enjoining the sale of GW. It enjoined the State Superintendent from closing GW and other MPS schools and prohibited him from taking any action to accomplish those closures and relocating students to other schools. So the appeal remains as to the power and authority of the State Superintendent to act on behalf of a local board of education in those matters Interim State Superintendent Dr. Ed Richardson announced the sale of Georgia Washington in early February during a press conference when an intervention plan of the Montgomery Public School System was released. He said if the school isn’t sold, layoffs will have to be made. “If Georgia Washington is NOT sold, we anticipate approximately 200 MPS teachers and 75 support staff will have to be laid off in order for MPS to meet its financial obligation,” Richardson added.
Alabama becomes early adopter of new computer science standards
The Alabama State Board of Education on Tuesday announced new statewide learning standards that will help students integrate technology into their current studies. The Digital Literacy and Computer Science (DLCS) standards blend the ability to use information and communication technologies with the study of computers to create an integrated approach to instruction that can enhance any existing educational subject. Alabama is an early adopter in these practices; being one of only 15 states in the nation to adopt them. The standards are not a stand-alone course; they work within the existing standards in all subject areas — reading, math, history, science, social studies, etc. — and in all grades. The DLCS standards will provide access to various forms of digital learning and computer science, allowing students to become computational thinkers and to familiarize themselves with the digital culture, which is fueling much of the current, and future workforce. “We want Alabama children to have the benefit of the most significant education standards – especially those that take advantage of an emerging world of careers,” said Ed Richardson, Interim State Superintendent of Education. “The future belongs to those who are best prepared to meet the challenges of a changing educational, professional, and technological landscape.” Making sure teachers are trained and prepared to implement the DLCS standards is a priority of the SBOE. A+ College Ready, CODE.org, and other organizations have partnered together to educate teachers on how to effectively incorporate DLCS into their classrooms. “Proficiency in computer science has positive impacts across the curriculum and should be a priority statewide,” said Dr. Cynthia McCarty, a representative on Alabama Governor Kay Ivey’s Computer Science Advisory Council, and SBOE Representative for District 6. “We know that the careers of the future are increasingly dependent on having some familiarity with computer science, algorithms, and the cognitive and technical skills these standards provide, I would like to see every school in the state embrace this opportunity and continue preparing our students for the future and high-demand careers.” School systems across the state are given the option to participate in using the new standards for the 2018-2019 school year, but all schools will be required to use the standards at the beginning of the 2019-2020 school year.
Department of Education preparing top personnel cuts
During a work session on Thursday, interim state Superintendent Dr. Ed Richardson announced major changes for 31 high-ranking department of Education employees. The reorganization of the department began in October, with the overall goal being “to organize this department so that it has fewer moving parts and will be able to function better, and communicate more efficiently,” Richardson told AL.com. The department has long been criticized for “bureaucratic bloat,” and Richardson is willing to do what is necessary to get the department back to a reasonable size. Richardson will be reducing the number of “at-will” and “exempt” employees, and plans to realign each area within the department. “I cannot solve the issue of titles, positions, salaries without making some hard decisions, and I intend to do it.” he said. According to Wrady & Michel, LLC, a Birmingham employment law firm; “at-will” employees are defined as employees who don’t have a written employment contract that can be terminated for any reason, or no reason at all. In order to fix the system, Richardson recommended board members lift a resolution adopted in 2015, it was passed with former state Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice‘s endorsement. The resolution authorized the “State Superintendent of Education to appoint individuals to serve in “at will” positions of Deputy Superintendent, Assistant Superintendent, Director, and Coordinator as needs and vacancies arise and report such appointments to the Alabama State Board of Education at its regularly scheduled meetings.” “It left the door wide open both in terms of number and salary of individuals (who were hired),” said Richardson. He also mentioned that the law requires that the employment of at-will employees ends when the superintendent who hired them leaves their office. Richardson met with all at-will employees as a group on Friday to discuss the reorganization, and met individually with the 31 individuals to explain what their options are. “It has to be done now, that way the next superintendent doesn’t have to do this.” he told AL.com. The department’s current organizational chart has the department split into four major administrations, with a Deputy Superintendent heading each area. Richardson’s proposed chart divides the department into two branches, instruction and administration, and reduces the number of Deputy Superintendents to two. Richardson has served as the interim State Superintendent since September, and previously served as the Alabama State Superintendent of Education from October 1995 to January 2004. Here are the organizational charts, originally uploaded by Trisha Powell Crain on Scribd.
Alabama creates training program to fight cyber bullying
The Alabama Department of Education and the Alabama Attorney General’s office have joined together to fight cyber bullying and other concerns in the cyber world. While social media and other online resources offer unbelievable learning opportunities for students in today’s society, they come with some very real risks including: cyber bullying, inappropriate connections, and securing personal data. According to a 2016 WalletHub study, Alabama was ranked number eight in the nation for states with the biggest bullying problems, and was the fifth highest ranked state in the nation for percentage of high school students who attempted suicide. Which is one of the many reasons why the Alabama Department of Education and the Attorney General’s office have created a training program to help both teachers and parents fight against the dangers of cyber bullying. “Modern technology, in the right hands, brings the world to our children’s front door and enables them to live and learn limitlessly. However, as parents, educators, and law enforcement, we all have a unique responsibility to keep them safe,” said Ed Richardson, Interim Alabama State Superintendent of Education. “All those involved have a shared vision of keeping our children shielded from the ills of society. This training will assist in that effort.” The training for parents will include: understanding how quickly children can be contacted by non-age appropriate predators online working cell phone applications and formats (SnapChat, Instagam, etc.) and other less known video chatting platforms used to lure students indicators that a student may be a victim, and how to respond in that event laws pertaining to the cyber world, and much more. Investigators will also train school faculty and staff members on how important the school environment is when dealing with online issues and how to develop policies that address the issues before they start. When to contact law enforcement, preserving evidence for law enforcement, and how to make a report for law enforcement will be covered as well. “We have been working together for several months to develop cyber training that helps parents and teachers determine if children are being targeted and how to report it to law enforcement. Our training is focused on protecting our children and our schools,” said Attorney General Steve Marshall. Training will be conducted by seasoned veterans in law enforcement who are skilled in cyber world safety issues. They are: Sterling “Jake” Frith – Frith is a Special Agent in the Investigations Division of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office, responsible for Computer Forensics and Cybercrimes. Before coming to the AG’s office, Agent Frith served with the Prattville Police Department and Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office. He began working in the cyber realm 8 years ago, with 18 years in Law Enforcement. Agent Frith is a Certified Ethical Hacker, Certified Hacking Forensic Investigator, Access Data Certified Examiner, Seized Computer Evidence Recovery Specialist and an Open Source Practitioner. He has over 600 hours of training in cyber crimes and cyber forensics to go along with his experience. Agent Frith has an Undergraduate Degree in Criminal Justice and a Graduate degree in Information Security and Assurance. Agent Frith serves as a member of the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, the United States Secret Service Electronic Crimes Task Force, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Cybercrime Task Force. Robert “Bobby” Moore – Moore is a Special Agent in the Investigations Division of the Alabama Attorney General’s Office. S.A. Moore has over 10 years of experience as a law enforcement professional, with a majority of his experience as an investigator assigned to handle Cyber and White Collar Crimes with a focus on sexual crimes against children that involved technology. S.A. Moore is also a certified digital forensics examiner, holding the Certified Computer Forensics Examiner, Access Data Certified Examiner, and Certified Fraud Examiner certifications related to digital forensics and fraud investigation. He holds degrees from The University of Southern Mississippi – Undergraduate in Accounting and Finance and Graduate Degrees in Criminal Justice with a focus on Cyber Criminology. He has taught courses in digital forensics and cyber-related crime for Troy University, Auburn University at Montgomery, The University of Mississippi and Loyola University of New Orleans.
Alabama Education Association files lawsuit to block sale of Georgia Washington Middle School
The Alabama Education Association (AEA) has filed a lawsuit on behalf of three Montgomery Public Schools (MPS) employees aimed at halting the sale of Georgia Washington Middle School to the neighboring Pike Road school system. AEA filed the lawsuit on Friday — against interim State Superintendent Dr. Ed Richardson, Pike Road Mayor Gordon Stone and Chief Administrative Officer Reginald Eggleston — claims does not have the legal authority to sell the school and questions whether or not the sale is a conflict of interest for Richardson who was previously involved with Pike Road Schools as executive director of the Pike Road Leadership Council. The lawsuit requests a temporary halt of the sale until the legality of Richardson’s involvement in the sale is resolved. Richardson issued a statement in response to the suit explaining his only concern is the children of Montgomery County. “My concern is now, and has always been, the children of Montgomery County. My resolve is to make sure the students who attend Montgomery Public schools get a quality education. The student achievement in Montgomery’s non-magnet schools are some of the lowest in the state,” said Richardson. He continued, “In more than 50 years of education experience, and having been involved in numerous school interventions all across this state, I have never witnessed this kind of dismal student achievement. It is wrong, deceptive, and dishonest to sit by and continue to watch young people, who are full of potential, graduate from high school with reading and math scores that are unacceptable and don’t even approach Alabama’s average – much less other states. My primary concern is the proper education of children – not inconveniencing adults.” Richardson announced the sale of the school earlier this month during a press conference when an intervention plan of the Montgomery Public School System was released. He said if the school isn’t sold, layoffs will have to be made. “If Georgia Washington is NOT sold, we anticipate approximately 200 MPS teachers and 75 support staff will have to be laid off in order for MPS to meet its financial obligation,” Richardson added. A hearing for the lawsuit will take place Monday, Feb. 26 at 9 a.m. The plaintiffs are Edwards Simms, a Robert E. Lee High School teacher with a child at Georgia Washington, Chisholm Elementary Child Nutrition Program manager Edwina Relf and Tislam Ellis, a Sidney Lanier High School teacher.
Baldwin County and Gulf Shores at odds over school split
In January, Baldwin County’s first-ever school split talks began. Gulf Shores is currently trying to split from the rest of the Baldwin County School System to form it’s own Gulf Shores city school system. During the first meetings in January, tension was high as the two groups discussed a new superintendent for the Gulf Shores school. According to a report by AL.com, Baldwin County school system Superintendent Eddie Tyler, said “There will be no negotiations right now on our part without a superintendent in place.” However, the main issue Baldwin County Schools has with Gulf Shores are the city schools continued demands for the school split to be completed by fall of 2018. Baldwin County Schools believes this will put more strain on the system than necessary, and think that fall 2019 is a more realistic start date. Although both groups disagreed on some issues, by the end of the first meeting Kevin Corcoran, Gulf Shores school board president, said he was thrilled with the outcome of the meeting. Gulf Shores City Schools has since hired Suzanne Freeman as an interim superintendent. She will serve the school system for 180 days, while they search for a permanent superintendent. The only issue left was where to send the nearly 600 children who attend Gulf Shores schools right now, who will need to be relocated when the city school is settled. Everything was looking like a go for Gulf Shores City Schools, until Wednesday. On Wednesday, Baldwin County school officials announced they will no longer negotiate with Gulf Shores, and have asked the state superintendent to intervene. Tyler asked Interim State Superintendent Ed Richardson to resolve the issue of a start date for the schools. Tyler told AL.com, “Gulf Shores has refused to respect our sincere concerns regarding the serious consequences of a rushed split this summer, leaving only a matter of months to prepare… They knew these facilities would be complete and ready for students in August 2019, to know this from the beginning and still demand a 2018 start date is disrespectful at best.” “There has been a lot of ‘talk’ about their vision and their hopes, but they have yet to offer anything of any substance on how they will do this, including the simple question I have asked in every meeting — how are you going to get this started in just a matter of months?” said Tyler. As of late Wednesday, no decision has been made regarding the two school systems.
$6.6 billion Education budget funds pay raise, heads to House floor next week
The Alabama House Ways and Means Education Committee on Wednesday unanimously approved a $6.6 billion education budget on Wednesday. The 2019 Education Trust Fund budget provides a 2.5 percent pay raises for education employees in K-12 and two year colleges, boost funding for pre-kindergarten by $20 million as well as additional programs, and fund 197 more teachers in middle school grades. “This budget reflects high-priority for classrooms and for supporting teachers, and that’s where the money ought to be,” said Interim State Superintendent Ed Richardson during budget talks on Monday afternoon. He said it’s a “strong budget.” Tuscaloosa-Republican and Committee chair state Rep. Bill Poole said he expects the budget to be on the House floor next Thursday. If passed, it will go into effect Oct. 1.
Ed Richardson says major changes are ahead for Montgomery Public Schools
Interim State Superintendent Dr. Ed Richardson says major changes are ahead for Montgomery Public Schools (MPS), else the district might lose its accreditation. It’s a ominous thought, but an assessment he’s made before. Consider the state’s takeover of Birmingham City Schools in 2012 of which Richardson was appointed to oversee. According to Richardson, the Birmingham City Schools and Montgomery Public Schools share similar issues: financial chaos, low test scores, student retention rates, and what Richardson considers improper influence of the board members have all attributed to the system’s possible surrender. Richardson’s current plan of action is similar to the plan he executed to turn the Birmingham City Schools around. Richardson says his plan would keep teachers in their classrooms, and he would advise the sell of vacant properties and possibly consolidation of the system to strengthen financial resources. Birmingham’s board took Richardson’s advice in 2013 and voted to close schools while the district’s accreditation was on the fence. AdvancED, closely monitored the Birmingham City School takeover and will be visiting Montgomery Public Schools later this month per Richardson’s request. “[AdvancED’s] not coming to say you’re in trouble right now,” Richardson said of the visit to Montgomery Public Schools. “He’s coming to identify what the formal review of Montgomery will consist of, which will be the next school year.” Montgomery Public Schools Board of Education submitted their budget to Richardson for approval at the end of December 2017. “I gave them the opportunity, but I’m submitting my own (budget),” said Richardson. Not on the agenda in Richardson’s mind are teacher cuts. “Theirs included cutting (114) teachers and a number of paraprofessionals, which is certainly not compatible with improving instruction. There will be major changes, but I assure you it is my intention that teachers in the classroom will not be affected.” Richardson will be presenting his plan of action to the Montgomery Public Schools Board of Education on January 26.
Alabama State Board of Education selects Ed Richardson as Interim State Superintendent
The Alabama State Board of Education appointed Dr. Ed Richardson as the interim State Superintendent during their Thursday morning meeting. Richardson is no stranger to the Alabama education system. He previously served as the Alabama State Superintendent of Education from October 1995 to January 2004, and then as President of Auburn University from 2004-2007. “I have a lot of confidence in Dr. Richardson in being the (interim) superintendent.” said Governor Kay Ivey, who also serves as the President of the Alabama State Board of Education. As a retired state employee, Richardson’s contract will be limited to a maximum of two six-month terms, giving the State Board of Education a limited window to find a permanent replacement. Richardson fills the void left Michael Sentance who resigned from the State Superintendent post on Wednesday following months of the board questioning his communication and management skills. Richardson was approved for the position by an 8-1 vote. “There are so many accomplishments that the board is responsible for, because of the leadership of Dr. Richardson,” said Stephanie Bell, Vice President of the Alabama State Board. Dr. Richardson holds a B.S., M.Ed. and Ed.D. from Auburn University, and began his career in education as a classroom teacher in Montgomery County. He was also superintendent of schools for the Auburn City Board of Education.
