On March 3rd, be careful with Amendment 1
By Kyle Kallhoff, Superintendent of Education, Demopolis City School System
When we go to the polls on March 3, we will have an opportunity to vote Yes or No on Amendment 1. It is encouraged that we study the true implications of this amendment before casting our vote. By simply voting yes, we are taking away our right to vote for Alabama School Board members and leaving the leadership of Alabama’s schools in the hands of a governor appointee which is confirmed by the Senate.
By voting yes, we also set ourselves up for less local control and a state education system that is designed for the needs of the big four (Mobile, Montgomery, Birmingham and Huntsville). By voting yes we could see drastic change in education every four years which include standards, educator certificate programs, educator professional development, student assessment and accountability systems. Where I am a fan of change, too much change and too often prohibits consistency and fluency. Lack of consistency and fluency in education will ultimately impact student achievement in Alabama. Too much change too frequently will also impact teacher retention and eventually have additional effects on Alabama’s teacher shortage crisis.
There is more to Amendment 1 than meets the eye in the description on the March 3 ballot. By voting yes, we will lay the foundation for a politically driven state education system with limited local control and decisions being made based on what is best for the adult, not necessarily the students we serve.
On March 3rd, I will vote no on Amendment 1.