Ella Bell

News / State

Governor Ivey appoints Dr. Tommie Stewart to State Board of Education

Governor Kay Ivey on Tuesday appointed Dr. Tommie ‘Tonea’ Stewart to represent District 5 on the Alabama State Board of Education. Governor Ivey spoke with Dr. Stewart today to ask her to serve. “Alabama’s students and teachers deserve our best, and Dr. Stewart is prepared to offer that,” Governor Ivey said. “Dr. Stewart is bringing … Continued

January 8, 2020

Ella Bell, longtime state school board member, has died

Ella Bell, a fixture on the State School Board and champion for public education in Alabama, passed away on Sunday. She was 71. Bell served on the School Board for 18 years, often making herself a thorn in the side of any state lawmaker or State Department of Education bureaucrat who she suspected of toying … Continued

Josh Moon

November 4, 2019

Opinion

Alabama board of education member says school choice is trying to “destroy a whole race of people”

Alabama board of education member Ella Bell, D-Montgomery, spoke out during a work session Thursday claiming that Alabama’s landmark tax credit scholarship program for low income families was part of an effort to “destroy a whole race of people.” “They took money from the poorest counties in the state to send kids to private school,” Bell claimed, … Continued

Rachel Blackmon Bryars

November 13, 2018

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

Josh Moon

April 24, 2018

Opinion

Analysis: Montgomery intervention failing despite local support

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter There is a misconception with the state takeover of Montgomery Public Schools. Everyone seems to think that MPS officials don’t want it. That’s untrue. Board members made it clear this week that even those who are currently actively engaged in an ongoing AEA lawsuit against the intervention are open … Continued

Josh Moon

September 17, 2017

Opinion

The fight over Michael Sentance

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter The fight to fire State School Superintendent Michael Sentance rages on. For the past week, State Board of Education members, an attorney for the Board, the Governor’s office and Sentance have been trading passive-aggressive emails, as they argue over a meeting. That’s right. A meeting. There’s a special called … Continued

Josh Moon

August 22, 2017

It’s Judgment Day for State Superintendent Michael Sentance

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter Will State Superintendent Michael Sentance stay or go? That question will be answered by the Alabama Board of Education on Thursday during a scheduled 10 am meeting. Two sources close to the board say the decision on Sentance’s termination is fluid and can go either way, but that a … Continued

Josh Moon

August 10, 2017

Opinion

Analysis: Why a city-run school system is a bad idea for Montgomery

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter The City of Montgomery is planning to study the idea of creating a city-operated school system, moving from the current county system. It is nothing more than window dressing meant to appease the business community. It is the latest in a long line of “fixes” for the troubled Montgomery … Continued

Josh Moon

August 7, 2017

The downfall of Michael Sentance

By Josh Moon Alabama Political Reporter In the end, it was his inability to accurately assess the political landscape that will cost Michael Sentance his job as the State’s School Superintendent. Yes, he made mistakes, such as consistently alienating teachers and local superintendents with poor communication. Yes, his department made serious gaffes, such as the … Continued

Josh Moon

July 23, 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

Josh Moon

July 21, 2017