Craig Pouncey Archives • Alabama Political Reporter

A new state superintendent, more controversy

If the State Board of Education is picking a new superintendent, count on controversy. Eric Mackey, the head of the Superintendents of Alabama group, was selected as the state’s newest superintendent on Friday, and almost immediately there was controversy. There are also currently at least two groups considering lawsuits to challenge Friday’s vote. According to … Continued

April 24, 2018

Another abnormal Alabama superintendent search

Why can’t we just do normal stuff? What is it about government in Alabama — from the governor’s office to the state Legislature to probate judges to boards of education — that requires off-the-wall insanity at every turn? I ask these questions as Alabama’s state school board prepares to select a new state superintendent of … Continued

April 20, 2018

Ivey signs resolution urging school board to hold nationwide search for next superintendent

Friday, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed a resolution urging the Alabama Board of Education to broaden its search for a new superintendent. State Representative Randall Shedd, R-Cullman, expressed his thanks to Ivey for signing a resolution sponsored by members of the House Urban and Rural Development Committee urging members of the State Board of Education … Continued

March 27, 2018

Billing records show Balch attorneys played substantial role in state superintendent search, alleged smear campaign

Billing records obtained by the Alabama Political Reporter show that attorneys from the law firm Balch & Bingham were heavily involved in the Alabama State Department’s flawed superintendent search that landed Michael Sentance and was paid thousands of dollars to counsel and coach department lawyers and a state school board member. Those records, provided to … Continued

March 20, 2018

Debate over formation of city school boards dominates Senate committee meeting

By Samuel Mattison Alabama Political Reporter One committee meeting in the statehouse on Wednesday was met with debates over the qualifications to start a school board by city governments. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison, D-Birmingham, would raise the requirements for the formation of school boards by increasing the population requirement from 5,000 to … Continued

February 16, 2018

School Board to hold state superintendent interviews as early as April

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama State School Board has voted to extend Interim State Superintendent Ed Richardson’s contract until the end of June. According to the timeline adopted by the board at its last meeting, the next state school superintendent will not be selected until April at the earliest. “The Alabama State … Continued

December 21, 2017

State Superintendent Michael Sentance Resigns

By Brandon Moseley Alabama Political Reporter When the Alabama School Board chose Massachusetts Attorney Michael Sentance to be the Superintendent of Alabama’s school systems it was a controversial choice. That controversy only deepened when it was later learned that a certain member of the school board may have misled the public and the rest of … Continued

September 13, 2017

In praise of doing what’s right

By Larry Lee Education Matters Ain’t no way 11 months ago I would ever write what I am now writing. That’s because I had just watched state school board member Stephanie Bell raise her hand on Aug. 11 as one of five votes to hire Mike Sentance as State Superintendent. I thought then–and still do—it was one … Continued

July 31, 2017

Sources: State Board plans to fire Superintendent Michael Sentance

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter The Alabama State School Board plans to fire State Superintendent Michael Sentance, two source close to the board have told APR. Those sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the board has not officially made a decision, said Tuesday’s meeting, at which board members will discuss an early … Continued

July 21, 2017