The Alabama House of Representatives passed a bill on March 3 that would allow county school boards to consolidate across county lines.
HB 380, sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, is a state constitutional amendment that would permit two or more county school boards to merge into a single multi-county board of education.
“They could join with another board, or two or even three,” Collins said. “They could combine some of that administration and they could put more money back in the classroom.”
Under the legislation, no consolidation could take place before a study by the Alabama State Board of Education examining effects on students, families, educational quality, programs, facilities, staff, transportation, finances, community identity, and governance.
Rep. Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa, said he has concerns about the potential impact on rural communities, citing systems in his west Alabama district.
“I can take my system in Hale County. For instance, we have two high schools, two middle schools, two elementary schools, and a career-technical education building,” Travis said. “But then my system in Greene County has one high school, one middle school, and one elementary school. So if you try to combine those systems, how would you balance it?”
Collins said the bill wouldn’t force any action.
“If they chose not to ever do it, then we chose not to ever do it,” she said.
If passed, the measure would appear on a future ballot.
