SB361 Summary

• Establishes the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012 requiring prospective local board of education members to publicly affirm in writing seven principles of educational governance focused on student interests, avoiding conflicts of interest, and supporting superintendent authority.

• Specifies five additional duties for local boards of education including establishing school system vision, adopting written policies, acting on personnel recommendations, approving budgets, and advocating for student and school needs.

• Requires the State Superintendent of Education to develop continuing education and training programs in boardsmanship for local board members in cooperation with the Alabama Association of School Boards.

• Provides sanctions for board members who fail boardsmanship standards or neglect duty, including formal censure, disqualification from future board service, and investigation authority for the State Superintendent upon complaint or finding of sufficient cause.

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

• Amends Sections 16-8-1 and 16-11-2 to establish minimum qualifications for city and county board members including high school diploma, good moral character, non-employment by the board, and exclusion of sex offenders.