HB431 Summary

• Establishes the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012 to enhance effectiveness of public education governance through training requirements, boardsmanship standards, and accountability measures for local school board members.

• Requires all prospective board members to publicly affirm in writing seven principles of educational governance, including that decisions be based solely on student and system needs, not personal or political interests, and that members work in consultation with the superintendent.

• Mandates the State Superintendent develop continuing education and training programs for local board members in cooperation with the Alabama Association of School Boards to enhance understanding of member roles and responsibilities.

• Authorizes sanctions for board members who fail to meet standards, including formal censure by majority board vote, disqualification from future service for training/attendance violations, and disqualification for findings of neglect of duty or willful misconduct by the State Superintendent and State Board of Education.

• Requires the State Board of Education to adopt a model code of conduct for local board members by January 1, 2013, and each local board to adopt its own code incorporating the model by April 1, 2013.

• Amends Sections 16-8-1 and 16-11-2 to add new eligibility qualifications for county and city board members, including high school diploma requirement, prohibition on sex offender registry listing, and felony conviction bar.