AL HB362

Creates the Building Exceptional School Board Teams (BEST) Act establishing boardsmanship standards, training requirements, and disciplinary procedures for elected and appointed members of local boards of education.

Requires prospective board members to publicly affirm seven principles of educational governance including decisions based solely on student needs, avoiding personal/political interests, and respecting the superintendent's statutory duties.

Establishes disciplinary actions for violations including censure, sanctions, and removal, with local boards authorized to discipline their own members and State Superintendent able to pursue additional action through peer review panels.

Mandates annual training for board members with compensation withheld until requirements are met, and enforces attendance standards (censure/sanction/removal for three consecutive or six total absences in a scholastic year).

Amends Sections 16-8-1 and 16-11-2 to add new candidate eligibility requirements including two hours of prospective board member training and agreement to comply with BEST Act affirmations; repeals the School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012.