AL HB338

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

Requires prospective board members to publicly affirm seven principles of educational governance including making decisions based on student needs, avoiding conflicts of interest, considering all board members' views, and not attempting to direct superintendent operations.

Establishes a three-tiered disciplinary system for board members violating standards: censure, sanction, and removal, with local boards handling initial discipline and State Superintendent able to convene peer review panels for additional action.

Implements attendance requirements (three consecutive or six total absences during a scholastic year trigger state review), residency verification procedures, and mandatory annual training with compensation withholding for non-compliance.

Amends Sections 16-8-1 and 16-11-2 to add board member qualifications including completion of two hours of approved prospective board member training and agreement to comply with BEST Act affirmations and code of conduct; repeals the prior School Board Governance Improvement Act of 2012; effective January 1, 2022.