AL SB243

Creates the Building Exceptional School Board Teams (BEST) Act establishing boardsmanship standards, training requirements, and discipline procedures for elected and appointed local school board members.

Requires prospective board members to affirm in writing seven principles of educational governance including basing decisions on student needs, avoiding personal/political interests, and respecting the superintendent's statutory role.

Establishes State Superintendent authority to investigate violations and convene peer review panels (3 board members randomly selected) to recommend censure, sanctions, or removal from local boards for neglect of duty or willful misconduct.

Requires board members to attend annual training (with compensation withheld for non-compliance effective September 1), maintain district residency, report misdemeanor convictions within 3 business days, and maintain confidentiality of privileged information.

Amends eligibility requirements for city and county board members to include 2 hours of prospective board member training, attendance at 2 prior board meetings, and agreement to comply with BEST Act affirmations; repeals the 2012 School Board Governance Improvement Act; effective January 1, 2021.