Alabama releases school report cards
Alabama public schools and school systems have been assigned letter grades for performance in new report cards released Friday by the State Department of Education. The latest report cards include enhanced graphics and features to make it easier to view data and compare school systems, state education officials said. This is the third academic year that the letter grades have been released. “We hope this can be used a catapult to jumpstart conversations about what is working in public schools as well as identifying areas that may need support and/or additional resources,” State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey said in a statement. The grades are based not just on the latest test scores, but how much students improve in reading and math from one year to the next. The report cards include information about the percentage of students proficient in subjects, information on academic growth and chronic absenteeism at each school. The cards also include demographics about the school and school system and the credentials and experience of educators at the school. Legislators in 2012 voted to require A-F grades for schools and school systems.The school report cards can be viewed at the state department website . Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Dr. Walter Gonsoulin named as interim superintendent for Alabama school district
An Alabama school district has a new leader. Jefferson County Schools has named Dr. Walter Gonsoulin as interim superintendent. WBRC-TV reports Gonsoulin will start Sept. 27, the day after Dr. Craig Pouncey ends his term. Gonsoulin is currently the deputy superintendent of school and community support. Pouncey officially resigned Wednesday after five years in the post. He’s leaving to take over as president of Coastal Alabama Community College. The Jefferson County Board of Education will have up to 180 days to name a new superintendent and 90 days to publicly announce the process for the superintendent search. It is required to post a 30-day vacancy for the superintendent position. Republished with the permission of the Associated Press.
Alabama school superintendent makes headlines asking for donations in exchange for early release
Eddie Tyler Superintendent of Baldwin County Public Schools has made headlines for a series of emails he sent last year to teachers and staff soliciting charity donations, and incentivizing contributions with early release from school. A series of Nov. 2017 emails were obtained by the Independent Press Journal (IPJ) from a source within Baldwin County Public Schools who wishes to remain anonymous. The emails were sent from Baldwin County Board of Education (BCBE) to all teachers and staff within their school district. According to IPJ, the emails begin with Executive Director of the United Way of Baldwin County, Inc. (UWBC) Marina Simpson pressing Tyler for more donations. On Nov. 27, Simpson said: “Unfortunately, the campaign dropped this year to 78,448.92… this number includes a combination payroll deduction, one-time donations made by BCBE employees, and any student campaigns that were held (we only have a few schools that do student campaigns).” Two days later, Tyler emailed all teachers and staff within the Baldwin County school district requesting donations to the UWBC, all the while incentivizing donations with early release from school: “we value our continuing partnership with Marina Simpson …. If our contributions meet or exceed $90K, the system will release students at 11:30 and ALL teachers at 1:00 the Friday before Christmas holidays 12/15/2017. If we as a system reach or exceed $100K, we will have a second early release day the Friday before Mardi Gras.” Tyler requested donations again on Dec. 6. “Time is running out. To make a decision about the early release, giving will be tallied at the end of the school day this coming Friday.” Tyler’s quid pro quo requests are nothing new While news of Tyler’s requests have just surfaced, he’s apparently made a practice of collecting funds on behalf of the UWBC and “rewarding” schools with early release for years. A youtube video from Nov. 2016 shows Tyler introducing Simpson who announced the school system has reached their goal of $75,000 donations, and thus have been “awarded” early release. Ethical issues According to IPJ, many Baldwin County teachers feel pressured to give, or else risk their reputation. A teacher told IPJ that BCBE officials place pledge cards and donation information in their mailboxes, and if staff don’t fill it out, then they are treated differently. “We’re pressured until we finally just do it to get them off our backs,” said a teacher. Sources also report that when teachers have not donated or filled-out their pledge cards for UWBC in the past, school officials have allowed a UWBC representative named Lana Mummah to come into the school and talk those teachers into donating. Lana Mummah is married to Ken Mummah, who is a former BCBE official. The Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) has yet to respond to Alabama Today’s request for comment.
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.
Shenanigans afoot at State Ed Board?
With less than a full year under his belt as the State Superintendent, Michael Sentance has found himself on the firing line as the Alabama Board of Education decides the fate of his future in the position. Sentance, who oversees nearly 900 employees at the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE), will be under review Tuesday in a special-called meeting by the board. There, they will decide whether or not Sentance stays in the position. Ahead of Tuesday’s meeting, board members were asked to submit evaluations of the superintendent months ahead his scheduled December review. The request came as a surprise to many members, who said there was no mention of the early evaluation at their July 11 board meeting. “I believe it is a move to try to unseat him. I believe that this was demanded of us after the last board meeting,” Board member Mary Scott Hunter told WHNT News 19. “If this was so urgent we could have discussed it at the last board meeting, it was not discussed, it was not voted upon.” Despite his lack of time in the position, Sentance has made great strides to turn Alabama’s failing school systems around. Since he beat out five other educators from across the country for the position last August, he’s: Created a new advisory group of educators, which will provide a direct avenue of communication with the state superintendent to discuss important issues regarding education; Taken over the 27 failing public schools in Montgomery; Received permission from the federal government to allow for standardized testing flexibility as the state drops the ACT Aspire test for its students in favor of an alternative test; Currently, Sentance’s contract runs through Dec. 31, 2018, but with a simple majority vote the board may terminate his contract at any time. If he were to be let go, he would receive any remaining salary for the balance of his contract for that specific calendar year. When Yellowhammer News asked Sentance if he believes there’s an effort to get rid of him, he said, “Yes, it is true that some people are working very hard to try to remove me from the position.” Sentance did not respond to Alabama Today’s request for comment.
Birmingham City Schools superintendent finalist withdraws
A Birmingham City Schools superintendent finalist has withdrawn from consideration after school board members expressed disappointment that none of the five finalists were from the school system or state of Alabama. AL.com reports Dr. Timothy Gadson III wrote in an email to a member of the Alabama Association of School Superintendents charged with vetting applicants that he felt he could do “an outstanding job,” but didn’t feel comfortable moving forward given “the political climate and controversy.” Gadson is currently superintendent designee and executive director of curriculum and schools at a Minnesota school system. His candidacy drew some scrutiny for a 2014 grading controversy during his tenure as Atlanta Public Schools associate superintendent. He wasn’t accused of any wrongdoing. The school board will invite a replacement candidate. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Board approves $198,000 contract for new Alabama school superintendent
A divided Alabama Board of Education has approved a contract for the state’s new school superintendent, who has drawn both criticism and praise for his outsider status. The board on Thursday voted 7-2 to approve the contract for education consultant and former Massachusetts education secretary Michael Sentance. After the vote, Sentance told board members that his goal is to raise the achievement of students in Alabama public schools. Sentance will take over as superintendent on Sept. 12. A board member and public hearing speakers, opposed to the hire, said Sentance was unqualified because he does not have classroom experience or an advanced education degree. Others urged the board to welcome Sentence, saying he would bring fresh ideas. The four-year contract will pay Sentence $198,000-per year and will also give him a $1,750-per-month housing alliance. Republished with permission of The Associated Press.
Six finalists named for Alabama School Superintendent
Six finalists have been identified by the Alabama State Board of Education to become the next superintendent of Alabama schools. The board received 12 applications from educators across the country after Tommy Bice announced his retirement in March, and managed to winnow the list down to the final six at the board meeting Tuesday. The finalists include three local school superintendents, including one veteran of the state Department of Education: Bill Evers: research fellow at Stanford University Dee Fowler: superintendent of Madison City Schools Craig Pouncey: superintendent of Jefferson County Schools and former deputy state superintendent Jeana Ross: secretary of the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education Michael Sentance: former Massachusetts Secretary of Education and regional representative to the U.S. Department of Education. Janet Womack: superintendent of Florence City Schools The candidates will begin the interview process Aug. 4 with State Board of Education members, and a selection will be made at the Aug. 11 board meeting. The finalists’ applications can be viewed here.
