When we as Alabamians go to the polls on March 3rd, we all should carefully consider how we vote on Amendment 1. You might have heard some say that Amendment 1 simply renames the Alabama state school board of education as the Alabama Commission on Elementary and Secondary Education. If this were true, there would not be unrest in public schools all over our state. 

By voting yes on Amendment 1, you are giving up your right to vote for a state school board member from our district and you are giving the right decide what is best for the students of Haleyville to the Governor. The members of the commission will be appointed by the Governor subject to confirmation by the Senate. Further, it authorizes the Governor to appoint a team of local educators and other officials to advise the commission on matters relating to the functioning and duties of the State Department of Education. So the commission on education for the State of Alabama, tasked as the governing body for PreK-12 public education, will need a team of educators in order to understand how education works. This is not what is best for the students in Haleyville.

By voting yes, we set ourselves up for less local control and a state education commission that will likely favor the needs of the big four (Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham, and Huntsville). A yes vote could have detrimental impacts such as drastic changes in education every four years, as well as constant fluctuation in expectations, standards, programs and accountability. The Senate would have the final say on educational issues such as charter school expansion, mandated school calendars, teacher evaluation systems, and they would choose our State Superintendent of Education. There is NO doubt that those with the deepest pockets and the most influence will drive the bus in education, not those who are deeply knowledgeable on instructional practices that will help our students to be College and Career Ready.

By voting yes, we are setting the State of Alabama up for failure. We will create inconsistencies that further complicate our efforts to attract and retain teachers in Alabama. We need a state school board member from our district who celebrates Haleyville City Schools in Montgomery as well as takes our issues and challenges to the table at board meetings. Winston County has historically voted in favor of what has been best for the people in this county. We cannot simply give up our right to have representation by voting Yes to Amendment 1.

When we go to the polls on March 3rd, we will have an opportunity to vote Yes or No on Amendment 1. I urge you to study the true repercussions of this amendment before casting your vote.

I encourage you to vote NO with me on March 3rd to Amendment 1.

Dr. Holly Sutherland

Superintendent

Haleyville City Schools