Bill to switch to elected school board in hands of legislature

By By Leada Gore, Hartselle Enquirer
Legislation that would clear the way to change the way Hartselle’s School Board is selected is in the hands of the Alabama Legislature.
Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur, and Rep. Ronald Grantland, D-Hartselle, have introduced legislation that would allow Hartselle residents to hold a referendum on changing from an appointed to an elected school board.
The bill is currently in committee and local bills such as these usually are passed with little opposition. Once approved by the legislature, the council could opt to hold the referendum during the June primary.
If voters approve the change, the board would be voted on the same time as the next municipal election.
The bill allows for five members to be elected at-large, as opposed to by district. Board member terms would coincide with the terms of the Hartselle City Council. Board members would be paid $500 a month.
The bill also includes a provision that the board hire an independent auditing firm to conduct its annual financial survey, a matter that’s drawn controversy over the years.
In a related issue, a move is also under way to change the way school superintendents are selected. The Alabama Association of School Boards is pushing to require all superintendents be appointed, as opposed to elected.
Hartselle currently has an appointed superintendent. Morgan County’s superintendent is elected.
Mississippi, Florida and Alabama are currently the only states that allow for elected superintendents. Most systems in Alabama opt for appointed superintendents, with all 39 of those elected offices being in county systems.