Ala. Code § 16-24B-52 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 24B / Section 16-24B-52
Section 16-24B-52 Assistant Administrative Officers; Probationary and Contract Assistant Administrative Officers
Status: in_force

(a) Any other provision of law to the contrary notwithstanding, any individual employed as an assistant administrative officer in the public schools in Alabama on or after July 1, 2024, at the election of a participating employing board and upon the recommendation of the chief executive officer, may be employed as a probationary assistant administrative officer for up to one full contract year; provided, however, that if the individual is being employed as an assistant administrative officer for the first time, the probationary period may be for up to two full contract years. After completion of the probationary period, the same participating employing board, upon the recommendation of the chief executive officer, shall either offer the probationary assistant administrative officer not less than a three-year contract pursuant to this section or terminate the probationary assistant administrative officer for any reason, or without a stated reason, as the case may be. In the case of a probationary assistant administrative officer who is terminated prior to the end of the school year, the probationary assistant administrative officer shall be entitled to the hearing process as described in this section. Any contract assistant administrative officer hired on or after July 1, 2024, to work in the capacity of a contract assistant administrative officer in a public school in the state shall be properly certified and shall be employed pursuant to a written contract for an initial period of not less than three years. The initial contract of not less than three years may only be canceled for cause as described in subdivision (e)(1). If the contract is canceled for cause related to failure to perform duties in a satisfactory manner, as evidenced by an unsatisfactory evaluation, the chief executive officer and the participating employing board shall be subject to the review provisions described in subsection (j).

(b) Subject to the procedures described in subsection (c), in the case of a contract assistant administrative officer after the probationary term of the contract, the contract shall be renewed for a period not less than three years, and shall contain a provision for cancellation during the term of the contract only for just cause, described in subdivision (e)(1).

(c) Notwithstanding whether the contract is the initial contract or otherwise, should the chief executive officer make a recommendation to the participating employing board followed by a majority vote of the board not to offer a new, renewed, or extended contract to the contract assistant administrative officer, the vote of the participating employing board shall be made at least 90 days before the end of the existing contract. The recommendation shall contain written notice of the decision of the chief executive officer and the reasons for the decision to nonrenew the contract. Notice shall be provided to the contract assistant administrative officer either by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, mailed to the last known address of the contract assistant administrative officer. The decision of the chief executive officer and the participating employing board may be based on any reason except personal or political reasons.

(d) Nothing in this section or article shall be construed to confer continuing service status or nonprobationary status on any contract or probationary assistant administrative officer.

(e)(1) A participating employing board may cancel the contract of a contract assistant administrative officer for cause at any time for any of the following reasons:

a. Immorality.

b. Insubordination.

c. Neglect of duty.

d. Conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.

e. Failure to fulfill the duties and responsibilities imposed upon an assistant administrative officer by law.

f. Willful failure to comply with policy of the participating employing board.

g. A justifiable decrease in the number of positions due to decreased enrollment or decreased funding.

h. Failure to maintain his or her certificate in a current status.

i. Incompetency.

j. Failure to perform duties in a satisfactory manner.

k. Other good and just cause.

(2) Within five days of the action of the participating employing board of canceling or nonrenewing the contract of a contract assistant administrative officer, the participating employing board shall provide written notice pursuant to subsection (c) to the contract assistant administrative officer with a statement of the reasons upon which the action was taken.

a. Within 20 working days after the date of receipt of notice provided to a contract assistant administrative officer informing him or her of an action by the participating employing board to nonrenew the assistant administrative officer’s contract at the end of the current term of the contract, the contract assistant administrative officer, by filing written notice with the chief executive officer, may request a nonjury, expedited evidentiary hearing to demonstrate that the chief executive officer’s or supervisor’s recommendation to nonrenew the contract was impermissibly based upon a personal or political reason, or the recommendation was approved based upon personal or political reasons of the chief executive officer, supervisor, or the participating employing board, which shall be the sole issues at the hearing. The contract assistant administrative officer shall bear the burden of proof by a preponderance of the evidence. The hearing shall be held before the circuit court in the judicial circuit of the county in which the participating employing board sits. The expedited evidentiary hearing shall be binding on all parties. Promptly after delivering a written request for a hearing, the contract assistant administrative officer, or his or her designee, shall file with the appropriate circuit court a request for an expedited hearing and shall provide a copy of the request to the applicable chief executive officer.

b. In the case of a contract assistant administrative officer who is recommended for cancellation for cause pursuant to subdivision (1), within 20 working days after the date of receipt by the contract assistant administrative officer of the notice informing him or her of an action by the participating employing board to cancel the assistant administrative officer’s contract for cause as provided in subdivision (1), the contract assistant administrative officer, by filing written notice with the chief executive officer, may request a nonjury, expedited evidentiary hearing before the circuit court in the county in which the participating employing board sits. The chief executive officer shall provide notice to the circuit court promptly after receiving notice that the participating employing board requests the nonjury, expedited evidentiary hearing. At the hearing, the participating employing board shall bear the burden to prove, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the cancellation is solely for cause pursuant to subdivision (1).

(3) All contract assistant administrative officers shall be entitled to an expedited evidentiary hearing process, which shall occur within 45 days after the chief executive officer’s or the contract assistant administrative officer’s request, as the case may be, for an expedited hearing pursuant to subdivision (2). If the circuit court determines that it is not able to complete the expedited evidentiary hearing within the 45-day period, the court shall refer the parties to a mediator to conduct the expedited evidentiary hearing within 45 days after the chief executive officer’s or the contract assistant administrative officer’s request for the expedited hearing. The written decision of the mediator shall be binding on the parties.

(4) The contract assistant administrative officer may request reinstatement at the expedited evidentiary hearing. If such an action is initiated by the contract assistant administrative officer, the pay and benefits of the contract assistant administrative officer shall be discontinued only upon a final order denying reinstatement by the circuit court or the mediator.

(f)(1) Failure to file a timely request for an expedited evidentiary hearing, unless excused by the court or the mediator, shall result in a waiver of the right to appeal the decision of the participating employing board. No further action shall be necessary by the participating employing board.

(2) At the end of the term of the probationary contract or any subsequent contract, absent a written recommendation by the chief executive officer for cancellation or nonrenewal and an acceptance of that recommendation by a majority vote of the participating employing board, the participating employing board shall enter into a new contract with the contract assistant administrative officer for a period of not less than three years.

(g) The decision of the circuit court or mediator shall be final and exclusively appealable to the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals as a nonevidentiary appeal in which review is limited to the record from the expedited evidentiary hearing as provided for in this article.

(h)(1) Any assistant administrative officer hired before July 1, 2024, who has not obtained continuing service status with an employing board under prior law and any assistant administrative officer who attained continuing service status under prior law before July 1, 2024, may voluntarily and irrevocably relinquish his or her continuing service status as an assistant administrative officer and elect to be employed by contract.

(2) The relinquishment of continuing service status and election to serve under contract shall be made in writing to the participating employing board at least 30 days before the start of the immediately succeeding scholastic year to be effective in that scholastic year and thereafter.

(i)(1) The chief executive officer, or his or her designee, shall at least annually evaluate the performance of each contract assistant administrative officer. The evaluation shall be performed in a manner prescribed by the State Board of Education.

(2) The participating employing board, upon the written recommendation of the chief executive officer, may at any time enter into a new contract of not less than three years with the contract assistant administrative officer. In the event of an unsatisfactory but remediable performance on the evaluation as prescribed by the State Board of Education, a conference shall be held with the contract assistant administrative officer and a specific plan of professional development shall be presented by the chief executive officer which specifies the area or areas of unsatisfactory performance and recommends a plan to correct the unsatisfactory performance. The contract assistant administrative officer shall complete the specific plan of professional development prior to the next evaluation. In the event of an evaluation indicating unsatisfactory performance as prescribed by the State Board of Education, the chief executive officer shall either recommend to the participating employing board cancellation of the contract for cause as outlined in subdivision (e)(1) or a conference shall be held with the contract assistant administrative officer and a specific plan of professional development shall be presented by the chief executive officer which specifies the area of unsatisfactory performance and recommends a plan to correct the unsatisfactory performance. The contract assistant administrative officer shall complete the specific plan of professional development prior to the next evaluation.

(j)(1) Within 15 days after an unsatisfactory evaluation as prescribed by the State Board of Education and upon receipt of a recommendation by the chief executive officer for cancellation of the contract for cause as outlined in subdivision (e)(1), a contract assistant administrative officer, in writing to the chief executive officer, may request a review of the evaluation.

(2) The review of the evaluation shall be conducted by an independent third-party evaluator who shall determine whether sufficient cause exists for the unsatisfactory finding and be chosen in the following manner:

a. Within five days after the request for a review of the evaluation, the chief executive officer or designee shall request a list of five individuals who are certified to evaluate contract assistant administrative officers from the State Department of Education.

b. From the list described in paragraph a., the chief executive officer and the contract assistant administrative officer shall each strike two names.

c. The State Superintendent of Education shall designate an evaluator from the name or names remaining.

(3) The review of the evaluation shall be completed within 30 days after the request for a review of the evaluation is received by the chief executive officer.

(4)a. If the result of the review of the evaluation overturns the unsatisfactory evaluation, then the contract of the contract assistant administrative officer shall be continued for the remainder of the term of the contract subject to subdivision (e)(1).

b. If the result of the review of the evaluation upholds the unsatisfactory evaluation, the contract assistant administrative officer shall be informed of the reasons for the upholding of the unsatisfactory evaluation and the contract of the contract assistant administrative officer shall be canceled.

(k) Except as provided in subsection (h), the contract of an assistant administrative officer holding the position on July 1, 2024, shall not be canceled, nonrenewed, reduced, or changed in compensation or continuing service status, or time toward continuing service status, due to the enactment of this article.

(l)(1) Any decision not to continue the employment of a probationary assistant administrative officer or contract assistant administrative officer shall be made by a majority vote of the participating employing board upon the written recommendation of the chief executive officer.

(2) The decision not to continue the employment of a contract assistant administrative officer shall cancel the employment relationship between the participating employing board and the contract assistant administrative officer effective at the end of the current contract period.

(3) Any contract assistant administrative officer who had attained continuing service status in a position other than as an assistant administrative officer with the participating employing board before becoming a contract assistant administrative officer shall retain that previously earned status and be returned to a similar status position within a reasonable time after the cancellation or nonrenewal of his or her contract as an assistant administrative officer with the participating employing board, provided that the cause for cancellation is not for conviction of a felony or crime involving moral turpitude.

(m)(1) Commencing on July 1, 2024, an employing board may elect to employ assistant administrative officers pursuant to this article on a contract basis in lieu of the tenure process provided in Chapter 24C, the Students First Act of 2011. After an election is made, the participating employing board may not revert back to the tenure process without the passage of a local legislative act.

(2) Upon passage of a local legislative act mandating reversion, the terms and conditions of any contract executed pursuant to this article shall be fulfilled, and any contract assistant administrative officer who had previously attained continuing service status with the employing board under the Students First Act of 2011, before becoming a contract assistant administrative officer, shall revert back to his or her previously earned status and be returned to a similar status position.

(n) If a contract assistant administrative officer is not evaluated as required by this section, his or her contract shall be extended one additional contract year for each contract year not evaluated up to three years.

(o) The chief executive officer shall make a timely written recommendation to the participating employing board regarding the continued employment of a probationary assistant administrative officer at the end of his or her probationary period and the continued employment of a contract assistant administrative officer at the end of his or her contract. Failure of the chief executive officer to make a recommendation shall not in any way prejudice the probationary assistant administrative officer or contract assistant administrative officer.
Ala. Code § 16-18A-12 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 18A / Section 16-18A-12
Section 16-18A-12 Moneys Considered Trust Funds
Status: in_force

All moneys received by the authority pursuant to this chapter shall be deemed to be trust funds for the holders of the bonds and interest coupons thereto appertaining and shall be held and applied for the benefit of the bondholders of the respective issues as provided in this chapter and as provided in the authorizing resolutions of the authority.
Ala. Code § 16-45-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 45 / Section 16-45-5
Section 16-45-5 Contributions and Annual Expenditures by Governing Authorities of Member Institutions
Status: in_force

The governing authorities of the member institutions are hereby authorized to lease or to deed any real property to the consortium, and such authorities may also sell, give, lend or lease any personal property to the consortium. Further, the governing authority of each member institution is hereby authorized and empowered to make annual expenditures as may be necessary for the support and maintenance of the consortium.
Ala. Code § 16-6B-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6B / Section 16-6B-3
Section 16-6B-3 Assistance Programs
Status: in_force

(a) Student strategy. The superintendent of the local board of education along with the staff of each school shall develop an assistance program at each school for at-risk students performing below the standards set by the State Board of Education. The standards shall include the results of the required assessment program adopted by the State Board of Education with emphasis on students who are found to be at one or more grade levels below the prescribed norm. The local board of education shall budget at least one hundred dollars ($100) per student so identified to be expended on tutorial assistance programs including, but not limited to, after-school, Saturday school, or summer school, or any combination of these programs. These funds may be budgeted from state or federal funds. However, federal funds already budgeted for at-risk students may not be counted toward the minimum one hundred dollars ($100) requirement set aside to be expended for at-risk students as defined in this chapter. In addition, these funds may be expended for any of the following purposes:

(1) Programs to encourage at-risk five-year olds to attend an approved preschool program.

(2) Programs to identify at-risk students in the first grade.

(3) Programs to ensure strict enforcement of truancy laws.

(4) Programs to create alternative or disciplinary schools in which children who consistently exhibit behaviors or patterns of behaviors that interfere with the learning environment of other students would be placed and would be provided counseling and instruction in basic skills.

(5) Programs to encourage parental involvement of parents of at-risk children.

(6) Programs to encourage literacy of parents of at-risk children.

(b) School strategy. The State Board of Education shall develop an assistance program for a school in need of assistance. A school in need of assistance shall mean any school which has a majority of its students scoring one or more grade levels below the prescribed norm on the state adopted student assessments. Local superintendents and local boards of education will be expected to make the effort and commit the resources necessary to improve the instructional program for a school in need of assistance and shall be required to budget all funds earned by that school in the cost calculations of the Foundation Program. Local superintendents and local boards of education are encouraged to use assistance from the State Department of Education, colleges of education, accrediting agencies and other sources.

The State Board of Education’s plan for an assistance program shall consist of the following components:

(1) The faculty and staff of each school in need of assistance shall engage in a self-study to examine the problem of low achievement within that school and shall develop steps which may be taken to improve student achievement. Parents of students in the schools shall be consulted as part of this self-study.

(2) If, after two years, student achievement has not improved, the State Superintendent of Education shall designate a team of practicing professionals to visit the school, conduct a study, consult with parents of students in the school, analyze causes of poor student achievement, and make specific recommendations which shall become a part of a school improvement plan for the succeeding year.

(3) As a final step, when insufficient or no improvement as determined by the State Board of Education is evident from the implementation of steps one and two above, the State Superintendent of Education is required to intervene and to appoint a person or persons to run the day-to-day operation of the school. In considering intervention, the State Board of Education shall consider factors which may have affected the prescribed norm test score. Factors shall include drop-out rates, attendance rates, special education enrollment, and any other data necessary to properly interpret student achievement in each school.

(c) School system strategy. The State Board of Education shall develop an assistance program for a local board of education identified as being in need of assistance. A local board of education in need of assistance shall mean any local board of education which has a majority of its schools, or a majority of the students in a system, in which the students are scoring one or more grade levels below the prescribed norm.

The State Board of Education shall require a local board of education in need of assistance to do the following:

(1) The local board of education and the local superintendent with input from other administrators, teachers, staff, parents of students in the school, and the local community shall engage in a self-study to examine the problem of low achievement within the system and to develop steps which may be taken to improve student achievement.

(2) If, after two years, student achievement has not improved, the state superintendent shall develop a system-wide school improvement plan in consultation with teachers, parents of students in the school, and the local community. This school improvement plan shall become a part of the local board of education’s program and financial operations for the succeeding year.

(3) If, after the implementation of the school improvement plan, student achievement has not sufficiently improved, relative to the previous year’s performance, the State Board of Education shall require the State Superintendent of Education to intervene and assume the direct management and day-to-day operation of the local board of education for such period of time as may be necessary for student achievement to improve. In considering intervention, the State Board of Education shall consider factors which may have affected the prescribed norm test score. Factors shall include drop-out rates, attendance rates, special education enrollment, and any other data necessary to properly interpret student achievement in each system.

(d) It is the intent of the Legislature that intervention is not to occur when a school or school system scores below the prescribed average. Intervention by the State Board of Education is to occur only after the three-year period provided in this chapter during which a school or school system fails to show improvement. So long as improvement is being shown, the State Board of Education shall not intervene but shall continue to encourage the school to improve.
Ala. Code § 16-60-34 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-34
Section 16-60-34 Matriculation, Library and Laboratory Fees
Status: in_force

A matriculation fee may be collected from all students enrolled in the college, and the amount of such fee shall be determined by the board of trustees. The proceeds of the fee shall be expended under the direction of such board. A reasonable fee for the use of the library and laboratory facilities may be required; the amount of such fee shall be determined by the board of trustees.
Ala. Code § 16-60-27 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-27
Section 16-60-27 Programs to Be Offered
Status: in_force

The college shall offer to all eligible students in attendance a program of general education consisting of courses parallel to those of the first and second years of work at a state institution of higher learning offering a four-year course. The State Board of Education shall prescribe minimum standards which must be met and which will assure that the purposes of the junior college are attained.
Ala. Code § 16-16-13 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16 / Section 16-16-13
Section 16-16-13 Dissolution of Authority
Status: in_force

At any time when no bonds of the authority are outstanding, the authority may be dissolved upon the filing with the Secretary of State of an application for dissolution, which shall be subscribed by each of the members of the authority and sworn to by each such member before an officer authorized to take acknowledgments to deeds. Upon the filing of such application for dissolution, the authority shall cease to exist. The Secretary of State shall file and record the application for dissolution in an appropriate book of record in his office, and shall make and issue, under the Great Seal of the State, a certificate that the authority is dissolved and shall record such certificate with the application for dissolution.
Ala. Code § 16-64-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 64 / Section 16-64-6
Section 16-64-6 Annual Collection of Out-of-State Tuition Practices; Annual Report
Status: in_force

The out-of-state tuition practices of each institution, and particularly decisions regarding resident and nonresident status and reporting thereof, shall be collected annually by the Alabama Commission on Higher Education. An annual report of institutional tuition policies shall be posted on the Alabama Commission on Higher Education’s website.
Ala. Code § 16-61E-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 61E / Section 16-61E-2
Section 16-61E-2 Definitions; Purchase Authorization; Competitive Bids; Applicability of Public Contract Laws
Status: in_force

(a) For purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION. Educational and eleemosynary institutions governed by boards of trustees or similar governing bodies, state trade schools, state junior colleges, state colleges, or universities under the supervision and control of the State Board of Education, city and county boards of education, district boards of education of independent school districts, Department of Youth Services, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama School of Math and Science.

(2) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY. Equipment, supplies, and other tangible personal property, software, services, or any combination of the foregoing, used to provide data processing, networking, or communications services.

(3) JOINT PURCHASING AGREEMENT. An agreement in writing providing for the lease or purchase of information technology under a single contract. A joint purchasing agreement may be entered into by any number or combinations of educational institutions. If a joint agreement is executed by each of the participating educational institutions it shall set forth the categories of information technology to be purchased or leased, the manner of advertising for bids and awarding the contract, the method of payment by each participating educational institution, and other matters deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the agreement.

(b) The State Department of Education and the Department of Postsecondary Education, in addition to monitoring and oversight, may also purchase, with the consent of the Director of Finance or his or her designee, from joint information technology contracts when purchases are necessary to maintain statewide application and compatibility.

(c) Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in Articles 2 or 3 of Chapter 16, Title 41, educational institutions that are required by this chapter to let contracts for the purchase of goods and services by competitive bidding may enter into joint purchasing agreements for the lease or purchase of information technology for use by their respective educational institutions. Competitive bids for information technology may result in awards to multiple vendors for each one product line in order to meet the specific requirements of participating educational institutions or to achieve compatibility with existing technology already in use. Each participating educational institution shall pay its share of expenditures for purchases under any agreement in the manner set forth in the agreement and in the same manner as it pays other expenses of the educational institution. Educational institutions entering into a joint agreement pursuant to this section may designate a joint purchasing administrator to be responsible for issuing the invitation to bid, evaluating the bids received, and awarding the contract, in which event the joint purchasing administrator shall have the responsibility to comply with Chapter 16 of Title 41.

(d) All the terms and conditions of Chapter 16 of Title 41, that are not expressly modified by this chapter shall apply to joint purchase agreements. This chapter shall not be construed as granting any educational institution authority to purchase goods and services or increasing the authority, other than the authority to enter into joint purchase agreements, of any educational institution to purchase goods and services.

(e) It is the intent of the Legislature that all joint purchasing agreements conform to all applicable competitive bid provisions of Alabama law pertaining to state contracts, including, without limitation, those contained in Chapter 16 of Title 41 and Chapter 2 of Title 39.
Ala. Code § 16-25-12 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 16-25-12
Section 16-25-12 Prior Service Credit for Military Service During World War I
Status: in_force

Any member of the Teachers’ Retirement System who is now entitled to receive credit for prior service and whose service as a teacher, as defined in Section 16-25-1, was interrupted by service in the armed forces of the United States during World War I shall be eligible to receive prior service credit for such military service; provided, that such member submits proof under such rules and regulations as the Board of Control shall adopt to show:

(1) That he was employed as a teacher prior to April 1, 1917;

(2) That he entered directly into the armed forces of the United States from such teaching service; and

(3) That he returned to teaching service in the public schools of Alabama within one year following an honorable discharge from the armed forces.
Ala. Code § 16-6D-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6D / Section 16-6D-3
Section 16-6D-3 Legislative Findings and Intent
Status: in_force

(a) The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(1) To further the goals of public education throughout the state, each school system should be able to have maximum possible flexibility to meet the needs of students and the communities within its jurisdiction.

(2) There is a critical need for innovative models of public education that are tailored to the unique circumstances and needs of the students in all schools and communities, and especially in schools and communities that are struggling to improve academic outcomes and close the achievement gap.

(3) To better serve students and better use available resources, local boards of education, local school systems, and parents need the ability to explore flexible alternatives in an effort to be more efficient and effective in providing operational and programmatic services.

(b) Therefore, it is the intent of the Legislature to do all of the following:

(1) Allow school systems greater flexibility in meeting the educational needs of a diverse student population.

(2) Improve educational performance through greater individual school autonomy and managerial flexibility with regard to programs and budgetary matters.

(3) Encourage innovation in education by providing local school systems and school administrators with greater control over decisions including, but not limited to, budgetary matters, staffing, personnel, scheduling, and educational programming, including curriculum and instruction.

(4) Provide financial assistance through an income tax credit to a parent who transfers a student from a priority public school to a qualifying public school or nonpublic school of the parent’s choice.
Ala. Code § 16-60-29 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-29
Section 16-60-29 Compensation of Teachers and Officers; Faculty
Status: in_force

The president, with the advice and consent of the board of trustees, shall appoint and fix the compensation for all professors, instructors and other necessary teachers and officers. The president, professors and instructors shall compose the faculty of the college.
Ala. Code § 16-33-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33 / Section 16-33-1
Section 16-33-1 Short Title
Status: in_force

This chapter shall be known as the “Alabama Educational Benefits for Dependents of Blind Parents Act.”
Ala. Code § 16-47-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-3
Section 16-47-3 Power to Hold and Dispose of Property
Status: in_force

Such corporation may hold and may lease, sell or in any other manner not inconsistent with the object or terms of the grant or grants under which it holds dispose of any property, real or personal, or any estate or interest therein, remaining of the original or any subsequent grant by Congress, or by this state, or by any person, or accruing to the corporation from any source, including also the proceeds of the University Fund, as to it may seem best for the purposes of its institution.
Ala. Code § 16-64-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 64 / Section 16-64-2
Section 16-64-2 Requirements for Qualification as Resident Student; Rules and Guidelines
Status: in_force

(a) For purposes of admission and tuition, a public institution of higher education may consider that the term resident student includes any of the following:

(1) One who, at the time of registration, is not a minor and satisfies one of the following:

a. Is a full-time permanent employee or is the spouse of a full-time permanent employee of the institution at which the student is registering.

b. Is currently permanently employed full-time within this state, or will commence the permanent, full-time employment within 90 days of registration with the institution, or is the spouse of a person who is either currently permanently employed full-time within this state or who will commence the permanent, full-time employment within 90 days of registration with the institution.

c. Is employed as a graduate assistant or fellow by the institution at which the student is registering.

d. Is an accredited member of or the spouse of an accredited member of a consular staff assigned to duties in Alabama.

e. Is in a program or takes courses within an interstate consortium of colleges or universities that either offers reciprocal resident student tuition to residents of Alabama in the program or courses offered by colleges or universities not within Alabama, or is enrolled in a program or courses through an interstate consortium of colleges or universities which assesses tuition at a uniform rate for all students enrolled in that course or program.

f. Is, at the time of passage of this chapter, a student enrolled at a public college or university and who is currently classified as a resident for tuition purposes, provided the student maintains continuous enrollment at that institution.

(2) One who, at the time of registration, is a minor and whose supporting person satisfies one of the following:

a. Is a full-time permanent employee of the institution at which the student is registering.

b. Can verify full-time permanent employment within the State of Alabama and will commence the employment within 90 days of registration with the institution.

c. Is an accredited member of a consular staff assigned to duties in Alabama.

(b) For purposes of admission and tuition, a public institution of higher education shall consider that the term resident student includes any of the following:

(1) One who, at the time of registration, is not a minor and satisfies one of the following:

a. Is a member or the spouse of a member of the United States military on full-time active duty stationed in Alabama.

b. Commencing on May 22, 2012, has been a member of the Alabama National Guard for a period of at least two years immediately preceding the student qualifying for resident tuition and continues to be a member of the Alabama National Guard while enrolled at the public institution of higher education.

c. Is a veteran of the Armed Forces of the United States, provided that the veteran has become a resident of Alabama and satisfies at least one of the following conditions:

1. The veteran has served on active duty for a continuous period of time, not less than two years, and has received an honorable discharge as verified by a United States Department of Defense Form 214 within five years of enrolling in an Alabama public institution of higher education.

2. The veteran is currently serving in a reserve component of the Armed Forces of the United States, as verified by a memorandum from the commanding officer of the veteran student.

3. The veteran has been assigned a service-connected disability by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.

d. Is an out-of-state veteran who resides within 90 miles of a campus located in Alabama and has enrolled at an institution whose board of trustees has voted to allow nonresident in-state tuition for active and retired military.

(2) One who, at the time of initial registration, is a minor and whose supporting person is a member of the United States military on full-time active duty stationed in Alabama. A student establishing residency pursuant to this subdivision shall continue to be considered a resident student, regardless of any transfer of his or her supporting person to an out-of-state duty station, provided the student maintains continuous enrollment at that institution.

(3) One who, at the time of registration, is a full-time undergraduate student enrolled at an institution whose board of trustees has authorized resident tuition rates to apply to those non-resident students receiving a partial or full scholarship award in recognition of a particular talent or ability, provided the student possessed the talent or ability at the time of initial enrollment and maintains continuous scholarship eligibility at that institution.

(c) The boards of trustees of each public institution of higher education in the state shall adopt rules and guidelines necessary to implement this section. It is the intent of the Legislature that constitutionally created boards of trustees comply with the requirements of this section.
Ala. Code § 16-9-31 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 9 / Section 16-9-31
Section 16-9-31 Report on Schools to State Superintendent; Examination of Books, Accounts, Etc., by State Superintendent
Status: in_force

The county superintendent of education shall, on or before the first day of November of each year, forward to the State Superintendent of Education on blanks to be furnished him by the latter an annual report of the public schools of his county for the preceding year. In the event any county superintendent shall fail to make and forward to the State Superintendent of Education any report required under this chapter within 10 days after the time it should be made, he shall be liable to impeachment, and the resolution of the State Board of Education duly adopted setting forth such failure shall be prima facie evidence of such fact. The books, accounts and vouchers of the county superintendent of education may be examined at any time by the State Superintendent of Education in person or by his duly authorized agent.
Ala. Code § 16-13-98 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-98
Section 16-13-98 Preference and Payment of Warrants and Care of Fund
Status: in_force

All warrants issued hereunder by a county or city board of education shall be payable solely from the county or city board of education’s apportioned share of the proceeds of the special tax in respect of which they were issued, but this shall not prohibit their payment from any other funds which may be available therefor under any other provision of law; provided, that in no event shall such warrants be payable from such other funds if the effect thereof would be to subject such warrants to any constitutional debt limit or to any constitutional requirement that they be authorized by vote of the qualified voters. All warrants issued hereunder shall be preferred claims against the county or city board of education’s apportioned share of said tax as herein provided. All valid pledges of the said tax heretofore made, whether made to secure warrants or otherwise, shall remain valid and effective, and successive pledges so made of the same tax shall remain entitled as between each other to preference in the order in which they were made. All warrants issued hereunder, whether capital outlay or refunding, and including warrants heretofore issued under Act No. 94 (1936, Ex. Sess., p. 58), approved April 6, 1936, shall be secured by pledge of the entire net proceeds of the county or city board of education’s apportioned share of said tax, subordinate to all pledges thereof heretofore or hereafter made before the issue of the said warrants, but superior to all pledges thereof made after the issue of the said warrants; provided, that all warrants hereafter authorized hereunder by the county or city board of education at one session but delivered at different times shall as against other warrants have preference as of the date when the first delivery of such warrants was made and as between each other shall be of equal rank. All warrants issued hereunder, as well as all valid pledges of the said tax heretofore made, shall have preference over claims for salaries or other operating expenses or any other purpose. In each fiscal year the proceeds of the said tax shall be deposited as soon as received by the custodian of school funds or the city treasurer, as the case may be, in a bank approved for that purpose by the State Superintendent of Education upon the advice of the State Superintendent of Banks or other chief state officer having supervision over banking matters, in a separate account to an amount sufficient for the payment of all claims secured by a valid pledge of the said tax and due in that fiscal year, including the principal and interest of all warrants issued hereunder due in that fiscal year or due in any prior year and remaining unpaid with six percent interest on such overdue claims. After such amount has been so deposited the balance of the proceeds of the said tax may be used for any proper purpose without regard to the said pledges or warrants. Such deposit shall be held as a trust fund for the payment of the claims for which it was established and shall be applied to the payment of all such claims as they become due; provided, that no such claim shall be paid therefrom unless after such payment sufficient funds will remain in said deposit to pay all such claims which are secured by a pledge of the said tax superior to the pledge securing the claim to which such payment is to be applied, and such deposit shall be applied to no other purpose until all such claims are satisfied. Any custodian, treasurer, superintendent of education, member of a board of education or other officer who shall by vote or in any other manner cause, aid or encourage any diversion of any such deposit to any other purpose or any misappropriation thereof whereby loss or injury to the owner or holder of any such claim is caused shall be jointly and severally liable, both personally and upon his official bond, if bonded, to such owner or holder to the extent of such loss or injury, including attorneys’ fees and other collection costs. Any failure to make such deposit as required by the section or to apply the same as herein provided shall be construed as a diversion or a misappropriation, and any owner or holder of any claim then or at any time in the future payable from such fund may at any time enter suit in any court of competent jurisdiction against the official responsible therefor and the surety upon his official bond, if bonded, both to recover for any loss or injury thereby sustained and to compel the observance of these provisions in the future.
Ala. Code § 16-26D-8 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 26D / Section 16-26D-8
Section 16-26D-8 Funding
Status: in_force

Nothing in this chapter shall be so construed as to prohibit or prevent the board of trustees from accepting federal funds or monies from any corporation or other private contributor for use in operating the school or providing programs by the school.
Ala. Code § 16-8-33 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 8 / Section 16-8-33
Section 16-8-33 Custodian of County School Funds
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2006-196, p. 275, §5, effective June 1, 2006.
Ala. Code § 16-13A-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13A / Section 16-13A-6
Section 16-13A-6 Required Reports
Status: in_force

(a) The State Board of Education shall by regulation provide for various financial and other information which local superintendents of education shall have prepared for the local boards of education, including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) A monthly financial statement showing the financial status of the local board of education accounts with itemized categories specified by the State Board of Education.

(2) A monthly report showing all receipts and the sources thereof.

(3) A monthly report showing all expenditures with itemized categories specified by the State Board of Education.

(4) An annual projected budget.

(5) Monthly and/or quarterly reports showing expenditures relative to such projected budget.

(6) A yearly report of the fixed assets inventory of the local board of education with itemized categories specified by the State Board of Education.

(7) Financial and other information necessary to participate in national statistical studies on education.

(b) The financial information required in subsection (a), as well as any other financial information which the State Board of Education shall require, shall be submitted in writing and/or electronically to the Chief Education Financial Officer by the 15th day of the month following its presentation to the local board of education.

(c) All local boards of education shall be required to implement a standardized financial accounting program as determined by the State Department of Education to collect the information required by this chapter and to provide for ease of input by local boards of education and ease of monitoring by a local board of education, its chief school financial officer, and the State Department of Education. If a local school system’s financial report is found to be in conflict with generally accepted accounting principles, the State Department of Education shall issue a notice to that school system informing it of such and request that proof of correction of conflict be forwarded to the State Department of Education and approved by the State Superintendent of Education within a reasonable time thereafter.

(d) All financial documents, in whatever source maintained, are public documents, and shall be open to inspection and accessible to the public. An annual budget and monthly financial statements with supporting spread sheets as submitted to the State Department of Education shall be made available to the general public at the local school system Internet site.
Ala. Code § 16-18-15 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 18 / Section 16-18-15
Section 16-18-15 Cooperation; Aid from Other Public Bodies
Status: in_force

For the purpose of securing ancillary improvements in connection with educational institutions or aiding or cooperating with the authority in the planning, development, undertaking, construction, extension, improvement, operation or protection of ancillary improvements in connection with educational institutions, any county, municipality or other political subdivision, public corporation, agency or instrumentality of this state may, upon such terms and with or without consideration, as it may determine:

(1) Lend or donate money to, or perform services for the benefit of the authority;

(2) Donate, sell, convey, transfer, lease or grant to the authority, without the necessity of authorization at any election of qualified voters, any property of any kind, including but without limitation, any ancillary improvements or part thereof, and any interest in any thereof; and

(3) Do any and all things, whether or not specifically authorized in this section, not otherwise prohibited by law, that are necessary or convenient to aid and cooperate with the authority in the planning, undertaking, construction or operation of ancillary improvements in connection with educational institutions.
Ala. Code § 16-50-22 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 50 / Section 16-50-22
Section 16-50-22 Powers and Duties Generally
Status: in_force

Such corporation shall have all the rights, privileges and franchises necessary to the promotion of the ends of its creation and shall be charged with all corresponding duties, liabilities and responsibilities. Such corporation may hold and may lease, sell or in any other manner not inconsistent with the object or terms of the grant or grants under which it holds dispose of any property, real or personal, or any estate or interest therein, remaining of any grant by any governmental unit or by any person, or accruing to the corporation from any source, as it may deem best for the purposes of the university.
Ala. Code § 16-60-263 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-263
Section 16-60-263 Academy to Provide Technical Assistance in Meeting Mine Safety and Health Laws
Status: in_force

The Alabama Mining Academy shall, to the greatest extent possible, provide technical assistance to operators in meeting the requirements of the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, the Alabama coal mining laws in further improving the health and safety conditions and practices in coal and other mines.
Ala. Code § 16-13B-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13B / Section 16-13B-1
Section 16-13B-1 Applicability; Local Preference Zone; Joint Agreement; Bid Bond
Status: in_force

(a)(1) This chapter shall apply to county boards of education and city boards of education, or any combination of city and county boards of education as herein provided for the competitive bidding of certain contracts. With the exception of contracts for public works whose competitive bidding requirements are governed exclusively by Title 39, all expenditure of funds of whatever nature for labor, services, work, or for the purchase of materials, equipment, supplies, or other personal property involving forty thousand dollars ($40,000) or more, and the lease of materials, equipment, supplies, or other personal property where the lessee is, or becomes legally and contractually, bound under the terms of the lease, to pay a total amount of forty thousand dollars ($40,000) or more, made by or on behalf of any city or county board of education, except as hereinafter provided, shall be made under contractual agreement entered into by free and open competitive bidding, on sealed bids, to the lowest responsible bidder.

(2) Beginning October 1, 2027, and every three years thereafter, all minimum dollar amounts used in this chapter shall be subject to a cost adjustment based on the following procedure: The Chief Examiner of the Department of Examiners of Public Accounts may submit to the Chair of the Legislative Council a recommendation that the amount be increased based on the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index for the immediately preceding three-year period, rounded down to the nearest thousand dollars. The recommendation shall be subject to the approval of the Legislative Council. In the event the recommendation is not disapproved by the Legislative Council by the end of April following the submission of the recommendation, the recommendation shall be deemed to be approved. Upon approval, the Chief Examiner shall notify the public of the adjusted dollar amounts by July 1 before the fiscal year in which the changes are to take effect. The increase may not exceed three percent.

(b) Prior to advertising for bids for an item of personal property, where a city or county board of education, thereof is the awarding authority, the awarding authority may establish a local preference zone consisting of either the legal boundaries or jurisdiction of the awarding authority, or the boundaries of the county in which the awarding authority is located, or the boundaries of the core based statistical area (CBSA) in which the awarding authority is located. If no such action is taken by the awarding authority, the boundaries of the local preference zone shall be deemed to be the same as the legal boundaries or jurisdiction of the awarding authority. In the event a bid is received for an item of personal property to be purchased or contracted for from an individual, firm, or corporation deemed to be a responsible bidder having a place of business within the local preference zone where a city or county board of education thereof is the awarding authority, and the bid is no more than three percent greater than the bid of the lowest responsible bidder, the awarding authority may award the contract to the resident responsible bidder. In the event only one bidder responds to the invitation to bid, the awarding authority may reject the bid and negotiate the purchase or contract, provided the negotiated price is lower than the bid price.

(c) The governing bodies of two or more city or county boards of education, or any combination of two or more city or county boards of education, counties, municipalities, or instrumentalities thereof, may provide, by joint agreement, for the purchase of labor, services, or work, or for the purchase or lease of materials, equipment, supplies, or other personal property for use by their respective agencies. The agreement shall be entered into by official actions of the contracting agencies adopted by each of the participating governing bodies which shall set forth the categories of labor, services, or work, or for the purchase or lease of materials, equipment, supplies, or other personal property to be purchased, the manner of advertising for bids and the awarding of contracts, the method of payment by each participating contracting agency, and other matters deemed necessary to carry out the purposes of the agreement. Each contracting agency’s share of expenditures for purchases under any agreement shall be appropriated and paid in the manner set forth in the agreement and in the same manner as for other expenses of the contracting agency. The contracting agencies entering into a joint agreement, as herein permitted, may designate a joint purchasing or bidding agent, and the agent shall comply with this chapter. Purchases, contracts, or agreements made pursuant to a joint purchasing or bidding agreement shall be subject to all terms and conditions of this chapter. Any participation by counties and municipalities authorized in this section shall be subject to the provisions of subsection (b) of Section 41-16-50. In the event that utility services are no longer exempt from competitive bidding under this chapter, non-adjoining boards of education may not purchase utility services by joint agreement under authority granted by this subsection.

(d) The awarding authority may require bidders to furnish a bid bond for a particular bid solicitation if the bonding requirement applies to all bidders, is included in the written bid specifications, and if bonding is available for the services, equipment, or materials.
Ala. Code § 16-13B-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13B / Section 16-13B-7
Section 16-13B-7 Defaulting Bidder; Award to Second Lowest Responsible Bidder; Preferences; Sole Source Specification; Life Cycle Costs; Rejection of Bids; Lease-Purchase Contracts
Status: in_force

(a) When purchases are required to be made through competitive bidding, awards shall be made to the lowest responsible bidder taking into consideration the qualities of the commodities proposed to be supplied, their conformity with specifications, the purposes for which required, the terms of delivery, transportation charges, and the dates of delivery. If at any time after the award has been made the lowest responsible bidder notifies the awarding authority in writing that the bidder will no longer comply with the terms of the award to provide the goods or services to the awarding authority under the terms and conditions of the original award, or the awarding authority documents that the lowest responsible bidder defaults under the terms of the original award, the awarding authority may terminate the award to the defaulting bidder and make an award to the second lowest responsible bidder for the remainder of the award period without rebidding, provided the award to the second lowest responsible bidder is in all respects made under the terms and conditions contained in the original bid specifications and is for the same or a lower price than the bid originally submitted to the awarding authority by the second lowest responsible bidder.

(b) The awarding authority in the purchase of or contract for personal property or contractual services shall give preference, provided there is no sacrifice or loss in price or quality, to commodities produced in Alabama or sold by Alabama persons, firms, or corporations. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no county or city board of education may specify the purchase of goods or services from a sole source, unless:

(1) The board of education can document that the sole source product or service is of an indispensable nature, no other product or service can meet its needs, all other viable alternatives have been explored, and it has been determined that only this product or service will fulfill the function for which the product is needed. Frivolous features will not be considered.

(2) No other vendor offers substantially equivalent goods or services that can accomplish the purpose for which the goods or services are required.

(3) All information substantiating the use of a sole source specification is documented in writing and is filed into the project file.

(c)(1) For purchases of personal property in instances where the awarding authority determines that the total cost of ownership over the expected life of the item or items, including acquisition costs plus sustaining costs or life cycle costs, can be reasonably ascertained from industry recognized and accepted sources, the lowest responsible bid may be determined to be the bid offering the lowest life cycle costs and otherwise meeting all of the conditions and specifications contained in the invitation to bid. To utilize this subdivision to determine the lowest responsible bidder, the awarding authority shall include a notice in the invitation to bid that the lowest responsible bid may be determined by using life cycle costs and identify the industry recognized and accepted sources that will be applicable to such an evaluation.

(2) The Department of Examiners of Public Accounts shall establish procedures for the use of life cycle costs, which shall be distributed to all contracting agencies and shall be used in conducting any audits of the purchasing agency.

(d) The awarding authority or requisitioning agency may reject any bid if the price is deemed excessive or quality of product inferior.

(e) Each record, with the successful bid indicated thereon, and with the reasons for the award if not awarded to the lowest bidder, shall, after award of the order or contract, be open to public inspection.

(f) Contracts for the purchase of personal property or contractual services shall be let for periods not greater than five years. Lease-purchase contracts for capital improvements and repairs to real property shall be let for periods not greater than 10 years and all other lease-purchase contracts shall be let for periods not greater than 10 years.
Ala. Code § 16-22-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 22 / Section 16-22-11
Section 16-22-11 Cost-of-Living Increase for Certain Public Education Employees; Salary Schedules for Two-Year Postsecondary Institutions; Miscellaneous Pay Provisions
Status: in_force

(a) The State Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services Department District, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the following criteria. It is not the intent of the Legislature to make an appropriation in this section.

(1) KINDERGARTEN THROUGH GRADE 12 (K-12). An eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each teacher employed in all public school programs for the fiscal year 1994-95 over and above the salary received during the 1993-94 fiscal year. An eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each public education support worker employed for the fiscal year 1994-95 over and above the total salary received during the 1993-94 fiscal year, excepting employees covered under the state Merit System at the Department of Youth Services District.

(2) ALABAMA INSTITUTE FOR DEAF AND BLIND. An eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each person employed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind for the fiscal year 1994-95 over and above the salary received during the 1993-94 fiscal year.

(3) POSTSECONDARY. All salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions shall be revised by the State Board of Education to reflect a salary increase of eight and one-half percent. The eight and one-half percent salary increase shall be given to each person employed for the fiscal year in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges in Alabama, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Those employees entitled to credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges of Alabama as previously required by Acts 85-796, 88-691, 90-325, and 93-646 who have not been granted the credit on the salary schedules shall be provided backpay if the credit has not been provided.

(b) The following provisions are hereby established.

(1) All of the salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education, shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1.

(2) Salary increases mandated by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education for county and city boards of education shall be understood to apply to employees with contracts of up to 180 days. Additional pro rata salary increments shall be granted to those employees whose contracts extend beyond 180 days.

(3) The salary increase contained throughout any pay raise act as passed by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be exclusive of all local increments due.

(4) No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours or salary reduced due to the provisions of any pay raise act mandated by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education.

(5) Each city and county board of education shall establish and maintain a written salary schedule for each class and type of employee.

(6) Any person employed by any city or county board of education, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Youth Services Department District, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, or the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science who holds an earned doctorate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning shall be entitled to a pay provision of one thousand dollars ($1,000) per fiscal year for the earned doctorate degree. This provision shall remain in effect from year to year for those employees who from time to time receive earned doctorate degrees from accredited institutions of higher learning.

(7) All education support personnel salary schedules in the city and county school systems, the Youth Services Department District, the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science, shall be revised to reflect at least an eight and one-half percent raise for all steps, but in no case shall this revision be less than one thousand dollars ($1,000). At least one thousand dollars ($1,000) shall be given to each full-time person employed and to all adult bus drivers.

(8) Funds contained in the annual education appropriations act for the public schools for cafeteria personnel salaries shall be used only for that purpose. Cafeteria operating funds shall not be used for salary increases thereby supplanting those funds provided by the Legislature’s appropriations for cafeteria employee salaries.
Ala. Code § 16-23-4.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 23 / Section 16-23-4.1
Section 16-23-4.1 Fee for Evaluation of Transcript
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall be authorized to establish reasonable charges for evaluation of transcripts.
Ala. Code § 16-25-25 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 16-25-25
Section 16-25-25 Limitation on Membership
Status: in_force

No other provision of law in any other statute which provides wholly or partly at the expense of the State of Alabama or of any political subdivision thereof for pensions or retirement benefits for teachers of the said state, except as may be provided by state and federal laws for coverage under the provisions of the Federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance System of the Social Security Act, shall apply to members of the retirement system established by this chapter; provided, that if any member who filed an enrollment with the Board of Control on or before September 1, 1942, and who was certified to the Board of Control as an employee of a county board of education which had a statutory pension plan in effect on September 1, 1941, should receive upon retirement on or before July 1, 1950, a retirement allowance less than the pension which would have been provided for him under the local pension plan, then such member shall be eligible to receive a supplement to his retirement allowance payable from funds provided by said county board of education in an amount sufficient to make his total retirement allowance equal the amount which he would have received if he had been retired under the provisions of the local statute.
Ala. Code § 16-1A-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1A / Section 16-1A-4
Section 16-1A-4 Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board
Status: in_force

(a) The Public Education Employee Injury Compensation Board shall be comprised of the following members: (1) One member appointed by the Governor. (2) One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate. (3) One member appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives. (4) One member appointed on an alternating basis by the Minority Leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the Senate Minority Leader appointing first. (5) One member shall be the Director of the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Alabama Department of Workforce. (b)(1) The terms of the board members shall be staggered so that the initial appointees of the Speaker of the House and the Minority Leader of the Senate shall serve two years, with their successors serving a term of three years. All other appointed members shall serve an initial term of three years, and the successor shall serve a term of three years. No appointed member may serve more than two consecutive terms. (2) A board member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed. (3) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their appointments to assure that the membership of the board is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state. The appointing authorities shall coordinate to assure that at least one member of the board has experience and familiarity with workers’ compensation. (c) Initial appointments to the board shall be made by the appointing authority on or before July 1, 2025. (d) Members of the board shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed by the fund for travel and per diem expenses at the same rate and in the same manner as state employees. (e) The board shall have all of the following duties: (1) To administer the programs, including, but not limited to, establishing or contracting with a TPA to oversee benefits paid to employees and coordinate with PEEHIP. A contract for services of a TPA shall be procured pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 41, without regard to exemptions. The TPA, whether contracted or otherwise established, shall have no business or administrative relationship with any education association in Alabama, directly or indirectly. (2) To manage the fund to ensure that adequate funds are maintained to provide all injury program benefits to employees. (3) To provide reasonable compensation for hearing officers who hear any dispute arising under this chapter. (4) To employ professional, clerical, technical, and administrative staff as the board may determine necessary to carry out its duties and compensate staff accordingly. (5) To secure insurance, reinsurance, or other products the board deems advisable in carrying out its duties. (6) To retain and compensate legal counsel to represent the board, employers, the fund, the program, and TPA including, but not limited to, appearing before hearing officers or judges in contested cases. (f) Except as otherwise required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., the board shall be subject to all applicable open meetings and open records laws, shall adopt rules in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, and shall have a fiduciary duty to the fund and the program.

(1) One member appointed by the Governor.

(2) One member appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(3) One member appointed by Speaker of the House of Representatives.

(4) One member appointed on an alternating basis by the Minority Leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, with the Senate Minority Leader appointing first.

(5) One member shall be the Director of the Workers’ Compensation Division of the Alabama Department of Workforce.

(b)(1) The terms of the board members shall be staggered so that the initial appointees of the Speaker of the House and the Minority Leader of the Senate shall serve two years, with their successors serving a term of three years. All other appointed members shall serve an initial term of three years, and the successor shall serve a term of three years. No appointed member may serve more than two consecutive terms.

(2) A board member shall serve until his or her successor is appointed.

(3) The appointing authorities shall coordinate their appointments to assure that the membership of the board is inclusive and reflects the racial, gender, geographic, urban, rural, and economic diversity of the state. The appointing authorities shall coordinate to assure that at least one member of the board has experience and familiarity with workers’ compensation.

(c) Initial appointments to the board shall be made by the appointing authority on or before July 1, 2025. (d) Members of the board shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed by the fund for travel and per diem expenses at the same rate and in the same manner as state employees. (e) The board shall have all of the following duties: (1) To administer the programs, including, but not limited to, establishing or contracting with a TPA to oversee benefits paid to employees and coordinate with PEEHIP. A contract for services of a TPA shall be procured pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 41, without regard to exemptions. The TPA, whether contracted or otherwise established, shall have no business or administrative relationship with any education association in Alabama, directly or indirectly. (2) To manage the fund to ensure that adequate funds are maintained to provide all injury program benefits to employees. (3) To provide reasonable compensation for hearing officers who hear any dispute arising under this chapter. (4) To employ professional, clerical, technical, and administrative staff as the board may determine necessary to carry out its duties and compensate staff accordingly. (5) To secure insurance, reinsurance, or other products the board deems advisable in carrying out its duties. (6) To retain and compensate legal counsel to represent the board, employers, the fund, the program, and TPA including, but not limited to, appearing before hearing officers or judges in contested cases. (f) Except as otherwise required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., the board shall be subject to all applicable open meetings and open records laws, shall adopt rules in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, and shall have a fiduciary duty to the fund and the program.

(d) Members of the board shall receive no compensation but shall be reimbursed by the fund for travel and per diem expenses at the same rate and in the same manner as state employees.

(e) The board shall have all of the following duties:

(1) To administer the programs, including, but not limited to, establishing or contracting with a TPA to oversee benefits paid to employees and coordinate with PEEHIP. A contract for services of a TPA shall be procured pursuant to Article 5 of Chapter 4 of Title 41, without regard to exemptions. The TPA, whether contracted or otherwise established, shall have no business or administrative relationship with any education association in Alabama, directly or indirectly.

(2) To manage the fund to ensure that adequate funds are maintained to provide all injury program benefits to employees.

(3) To provide reasonable compensation for hearing officers who hear any dispute arising under this chapter.

(4) To employ professional, clerical, technical, and administrative staff as the board may determine necessary to carry out its duties and compensate staff accordingly.

(5) To secure insurance, reinsurance, or other products the board deems advisable in carrying out its duties.

(6) To retain and compensate legal counsel to represent the board, employers, the fund, the program, and TPA including, but not limited to, appearing before hearing officers or judges in contested cases.

(f) Except as otherwise required by the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, 42 U.S.C. § 1320d et seq., the board shall be subject to all applicable open meetings and open records laws, shall adopt rules in accordance with the Alabama Administrative Procedure Act, and shall have a fiduciary duty to the fund and the program.
Ala. Code § 16-24-61 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 24 / Section 16-24-61
Section 16-24-61 Contracts for Part-Time Employment
Status: in_force

Public school teachers, whether or not tenured, may contract with local boards of education to work less than full time so long as their salaries reflect employment for less than a full day, week, or contract year and are commensurate with the salary schedule hourly rate of pay adopted by the Legislature, based on their educational attainment and experience; provided however, that any part-time teacher receiving benefits from the Teachers’ Retirement System shall conform to the criteria and prescribed limits for outside income as provided in subsection (a) of Section 16-25-26. Teachers employed in any part-time capacity shall meet the certification requirements established by the State Board of Education to teach the grade or subject for which they are employed and shall comply with the provisions of Chapter 22A, of this title.
Ala. Code § 16-51-14 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 51 / Section 16-51-14
Section 16-51-14 Scholarships to School of Nursing - Who Eligible
Status: in_force

To be eligible to receive a scholarship provided by this chapter, a person must have been a resident of the State of Alabama for a period of at least one year immediately preceding the time of making application and must be a person of good character and shall have been accepted for matriculation by the authorities of the University of North Alabama, and shall have met the requirements for professional nursing education as determined by the school of nursing of the university.
Ala. Code § 16-6B-10 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6B / Section 16-6B-10
Section 16-6B-10 Budget Requirements for Foundation and Vocational/Technical Education Program
Status: in_force

(a) Foundation Program. It is the intent of the Legislature to see that funds allocated for classroom instructional support actually reach the classroom. To that end, the State Department of Education shall monitor the flow of funds appropriated for various instructional purposes. Classroom instructional support shall be defined as those funds appropriated for instructional supplies, library enhancement, textbooks, technology and professional development. The Legislature believes that the classroom instructional support funds have a direct impact upon the ability of classroom teachers to have the resources and assistance necessary to assist them in the performance of their responsibilities. School budgets for instructional supplies shall be developed within each school as is required by Section 16-1-30 relating to the adoption of school board policies. It is the intent of the Legislature that teachers shall have direct input in the development of their school’s budget for classroom instructional support and in the expenditure of these funds. The Legislature realizes that teachers and principals cannot be held accountable unless they have the authority to use resources provided them by legislative appropriations. As each school’s budget is developed, local boards of education shall ensure principals and classroom teachers are given the opportunity to participate in decisions concerning the appropriate use and expenditure of classroom instructional support funds. Where the principal or the teachers have not been granted the right to have direct input in the development of their school’s budget or are restrained in the expenditure of instructional supply funds, they may petition the State Superintendent of Education for relief pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Department of Education. Because the Legislature believes classroom instructional support funds to be critically important, the following conditions will apply to the budgeting process of each local board of education:

(1) Classroom instructional materials and supplies must be budgeted for all teachers at the rate appropriated per teacher unit by the Legislature in the Foundation Program.

(2) Textbook funds must be budgeted for all students based on the rate appropriated per student by the Legislature in the Foundation Program.

(3) Technology funds must be budgeted for all teachers based on their rate appropriated per teacher unit by the Legislature in the Foundation Program.

(4) Professional development funds must be budgeted for all teachers based on the rate appropriated per teacher unit by the Legislature in the Foundation Program.

(5) Library enhancement funds must be budgeted for all teachers based on the rate appropriated per teacher unit by the Legislature in the Foundation Program. The library enhancement appropriation shall be for K-12 Public School Library/Media Centers and is an absolute appropriation. Expenditures may include books, book binding, repair, CD Roms, computer software, computer equipment, cataloging, audiovisual materials, newspapers, magazines, recordings, and video tapes.

(6) In addition to classroom instructional support, leave (sick and personal) must be budgeted for all teachers based on the number of days and the rate per day used by the Legislature in calculating the cost in the Foundation Program.

(7) The principal of a local school in consultation with the teacher(s) so affected may request a waiver from subdivisions (2) through (5). The waiver shall be presented to the local superintendent of education. Upon concurrence, the local superintendent of education shall request a waiver from the State Superintendent of Education, which application shall be deemed to be granted unless affirmatively rejected in writing by the state superintendent within 30 days of its receipt.

(b) Vocational/Technical Education Program. It is the intent of the Legislature to see that funds allocated for classroom instructional support actually reach the classroom. To that end, the State Department of Education shall monitor the flow of funds appropriated for various instructional support which shall be defined as those funds appropriated for instructional supplies, textbooks, technology, and professional development. The Legislature believes that the classroom instructional support funds have a direct impact upon the ability of classroom teachers to have the resources and assistance necessary to assist them in the performance of their responsibilities. School budgets for classroom instructional support shall be developed within each school as it is required by Section 16-1-30. It is the intent of the Legislature that teachers shall have direct input in the development of their school’s budget for classroom instructional support and in the expenditure of these funds. The Legislature realizes that teachers and principals cannot be held accountable unless they have the authority to use resources provided them by legislative appropriations. As each school’s budget is developed, local boards of education shall ensure classroom teachers are given the opportunity to make decisions concerning the appropriate use and expenditures of classroom instructional support funds. Where the principal or the teachers have not been granted the right to have direct input in the development of their school’s budget or are restrained in the expenditure of classroom instructional support funds, they may petition the State Superintendent of Education for relief pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the State Department of Education. Because the Legislature believes classroom instructional support funds to be critically important, the following conditions will apply to the budgeting process of each local board of education:

(1) Classroom instructional materials and supplies must be budgeted for all teachers at the rate appropriated per teacher unit by the Legislature in the Vocational/Technical Education Program.

(2) Textbook funds must be budgeted for all students based on the rate appropriated per student by the Legislature in the Vocational/Technical Education Program.

(3) Professional development funds must be budgeted for all teachers based on the rate appropriated per teacher unit by the Legislature in the Vocational/Technical Education Program.

(4) In addition to classroom instructional support, leave (sick and personal) must be budgeted for all teachers based on the number of days and rate per day used by the Legislature in calculating the cost in the Vocational/Technical Education Program.

(5) The principal of a local school in consultation with the teacher(s) so affected may request a waiver from subdivisions (2) and (3). The waiver shall be presented to the local superintendent of education. Upon concurrence, the local superintendent of education shall request a waiver from the State Superintendent of Education, which application shall be deemed to be granted unless affirmatively rejected in writing by the state superintendent within 30 days of its receipt.
Ala. Code § 16-15-11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 15 / Section 16-15-11
Section 16-15-11 Pledge of Revenues for Payment of Bonds
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2015-70 effective April 21, 2015.
Ala. Code § 16-16-5 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16 / Section 16-16-5
Section 16-16-5 Issuance and Recording of Certificate of Incorporation; No Fees to Be Paid
Status: in_force

When the application has been made, filed and recorded as herein provided, the applicants shall constitute a corporation under the name proposed in the application, and the Secretary of State shall make and issue to the applicants a certificate of incorporation pursuant to this chapter, under the Great Seal of the State, and shall record the certificate with the application. There shall be no fees paid to the Secretary of State for any work done in connection with the incorporation or dissolution of the authority.
Ala. Code § 16-44A-58 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 44A / Section 16-44A-58
Section 16-44A-58 Funding
Status: in_force

The trust shall undertake efforts to secure private funds, gifts, grants, bequests, and other funds to construct, operate, and endow the Alabama Veterans Living Legacy.
Ala. Code § 16-25B-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25B / Section 16-25B-6
Section 16-25B-6 Effect of Trust Deferred Compensation on Other Programs
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of the law, any compensation deferred under this chapter shall be considered part of an employee’s compensation for purposes of any other employee retirement, pension or benefit program. No deferral of income under this chapter shall effect a reduction of any retirement, pension or other benefit program otherwise provided by law.
Ala. Code § 16-25D-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25D / Section 16-25D-6
Section 16-25D-6 Board of Control
Status: in_force

(a) The board of control, through the trustees, shall have all powers necessary for the management and control of the trust fund and to carry out and effectuate the purposes of this chapter including, but not limited to, the following:

(1) To adopt, alter, and repeal rules for the operation and conduct of the affairs and business of the trust fund.

(2) To make, enter into, and execute contracts, agreements, and other instruments and to take other actions as necessary for the management and operation of the trust fund, to accomplish any purpose for which the trust fund was created, or to exercise any power granted by this chapter.

(3) To enter into contracts with, to accept aid and grants from, to cooperate with, and to do any and all things necessary to avail the trust fund of the aid and cooperation of the United States, the state, or any agency, instrumentality, or political subdivision of either, in furtherance of the purposes of this chapter.

(4) To appoint, employ, and contract with employees, agents, advisors, and consultants including, but not limited to, attorneys, accountants, actuaries, financial experts, and other advisors, consultants, and agents as determined necessary by the trustees and to establish any compensation to be paid from the funds of the trust fund.

(5) To invest the funds of the trust fund in any permitted investment.

(b) The expenses of making and disposing of investments, including brokerage commissions, legal expenses referable to a particular transaction, transfer taxes, and other customary transactional expenses with respect to a trust shall be payable out of the funds of the trust fund.
Ala. Code § 16-36-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-4
Section 16-36-4 Local Textbook Selection Committee - Appointment; Filing of School Board Policies and Names of Members with State Superintendent of Education; Affidavit and Terms of Members
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 98-320, §13 effective July 1, 1998.
Ala. Code § 16-30D-22 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 30D / Section 16-30D-22
Section 16-30D-22 Rulemaking Authority
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education may adopt rules establishing a procedure to monitor adherence to this article by local boards of education and governing bodies of nonpublic schools.
Ala. Code § 16-22A-6 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 22A / Section 16-22A-6
Section 16-22A-6 Request from Schools for Criminal History Background Information Check
Status: in_force

(a) The State Department of Education, or other public authorized employer responsible for hiring employees who will have unsupervised access to children in an educational setting, shall request through the State Department of Education, that the Department of Public Safety secure from both the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and Federal Bureau of Investigation a criminal history background information check on each applicant for certification, certified applicant for public employment, noncertified applicant for public employment, and public current employee under review.

(b) Any nonpublic school in which an individual may have unsupervised access to children in an educational setting, shall through its duly authorized representative under guidelines established by the nonpublic school employer, request that the Department of Public Safety secure a state criminal history background information check from the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and a nationwide criminal history background information check from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, on each applicant for nonpublic employment, nonpublic current employee, and nonpublic current employee under review.

(c) A request to the Department of Public Safety for a criminal history background information check on an applicant for certification, applicant for employment, nonpublic current employee, and current employee under review shall be accompanied by the following:

(1) Two complete functional sets of fingerprints, properly executed by a criminal justice agency or an individual properly trained in fingerprinting techniques.

(2) In the case of public education employment, written consent from the applicant for certification, certified applicant for public employment, noncertified applicant for public employment, or public current employee under review for the release of criminal history background information to the State Superintendent of Education and a specifically designated representative of the State Department of Education authorized to make the request.

(3) In the case of nonpublic school employment, written consent from the applicant for employment, nonpublic current employee, or current employee under review for the release of criminal history background information to the State Superintendent of Education.

(4) A nonrefundable fee to be paid by the applicant or educational entity requesting the criminal history background information check which shall conform to the guidelines promulgated pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 5119, the National Child Protection Act of 1993, and state law. An applicant for employment shall not be required to pay the fee until the authorized employer is prepared to employ the applicant and request the criminal history background information check. An applicant for certification shall be required to submit two complete acceptable sets of fingerprints and the fee for the criminal history background information check at the time his or her application for certification is submitted to the State Department of Education. If two sets of acceptable fingerprints and the appropriate fee are submitted to the State Department of Education and a criminal history background information check is not performed, the fee shall be refunded to the applicant or educational entity that paid the fee for the criminal history background information check.
Ala. Code § 16-6B-2.1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6B / Section 16-6B-2.1
Section 16-6B-2.1 Legislative Findings; Termination of Plans, Programs, Activities, Etc., Relative to the Common Core State Standards; Ceding Control Over Public Education Prohibited; Construction
Status: in_force

(a) The Legislature finds that the State Board of Education, in the fall of 2013, voted to rescind the Memorandum of Agreement that involved the State of Alabama in adopting the Common Core State Standards, which ceded control of Alabama’s standards to entities other than the state and local educational agencies.

(b) The Legislature further finds that as part of the termination process, the 2017-2018 Alabama Final Consolidated State Plan superseded and terminated the flexibility waiver agreement with the United States Department of Education pertaining to the federal Every Student Succeeds Act, which includes the adoption of the Common Core State Standards.

(c) In order to codify the intent of the State Board of Education, the State of Alabama hereby terminates all plans, programs, activities, efforts, and expenditures relative to the implementation of the educational initiative commonly referred to as the Common Core State Standards.

(d) The Legislature further prohibits the adoption or implementation of any national standards or variations of national standards from any source that cede control of Alabama educational standards in any manner.

(e) The state shall retain sole control over the development, establishment, and revision of K-12 course of study standards.

(f) No education entity or any state official shall join any consortium or any other organization when participation in that consortium or organization would cede any measure of control over any aspect of Alabama public education to any such entity.

(g) Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect, prohibit, or inhibit the use of any of the following tools, standards, or certifications in the public K-12 schools, any college entrance examination, workforce skills assessment or examination, advanced placement course, career technical credential, national board certification, academic language therapy certification, Praxis or other core academic skills for educators test, armed service vocational aptitude test, or International Baccalaureate standard.
Ala. Code § 16-17-14 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17 / Section 16-17-14
Section 16-17-14 Exemption from Taxation
Status: in_force

The authority, the property and income of the authority, all bonds issued by the authority, the income from such bonds, conveyances by or to the authority and leases, mortgages and deeds of trust by or to the authority shall be exempt from all taxation in the State of Alabama. No license or excise tax may be imposed on any authority in respect of the privilege of engaging in any of the activities authorized by this chapter.
Ala. Code § 16-13-215 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-215
Section 16-13-215 Approval of Note Issue by State Superintendent; Procedure; Conclusive Determination
Status: in_force

(a) Before issuing any notes hereunder, the board of education by which such notes are proposed to be issued shall cause an application for approval of such issuance to be filed with the State Superintendent of Education. Such application shall be in such form and shall contain such information as the State Superintendent of Education may prescribe, and he may require such further information as may be necessary relating to the proposed notes or other financial or educational matters under the control of such board of education. He shall not approve the issue of any notes hereunder which would jeopardize the Minimum State Program of education as prescribed by law and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the State Board of Education. He shall not approve the issue of any notes hereunder when the principal of or the interest on any other notes or any other warrants constituting a preferred claim against the tax proceeds to be pledged for payment of the proposed notes and warrants is overdue and unpaid, except to refund the same. The written approval of the State Superintendent of Education of the amount and general purpose of the notes shall be a sufficient approval, but he may at his discretion approve any of the terms and provisions of the notes which in such event shall not be issued otherwise.

(b) The written approval of the State Superintendent of Education of the issue of any notes hereunder shall be a conclusive determination that all necessary evidence has been presented to him, and a conclusive determination in favor of the validity of such notes that all of the requirements of this article have been complied with. The State Superintendent of Education may also determine conclusively for all purposes relating to the validity of any notes issued hereunder whether any other notes or warrants constitute a preferred claim against the tax proceeds out of which the proposed notes are payable. In all matters connected with his approval of notes, the State Superintendent of Education shall comply with any regulations or instructions of the State Board of Education, but his failure to do so shall not affect the validity of the notes approved by him.
Ala. Code § 16-18B-19 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 18B / Section 16-18B-19
Section 16-18B-19 Exemption from Federal Income Taxation
Status: in_force

The corporation on behalf of the state shall have the power to provide for such payments to the United States of America as the directors deem necessary to cause the interest on any bonds to be and remain exempt from federal income taxation. The corporation shall have the power to make agreements respecting the investment of the proceeds of the bonds or other funds of the corporation necessary in order that the interest income on bonds of the corporation be and remain exempt from federal income taxation.
Ala. Code § 16-3-13 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 3 / Section 16-3-13
Section 16-3-13 Rules and Regulations - Necessary to Make Effective the Law’s Purpose
Status: in_force

In order to meet emergencies that may arise because of any defect in the language or purpose of this title, the State Board of Education may make such rules and regulations as will give full force and effect to any or all of its provisions.
Ala. Code § 16-27-9 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 27 / Section 16-27-9
Section 16-27-9 Reporting and Investigating Incidents and Complaints Regarding School Bus Safety
Status: in_force

(a) A local superintendent of education, or his or her designee, shall be the main point of contact between local law enforcement and the school district for incidents and complaints regarding school bus safety and school bus safety laws including, but not limited to, trespass on a school bus in the first degree pursuant to Section 13A-7-4.2 and overtaking a school bus pursuant to Section 32-5A-154. (b) The local superintendent of education, or his or her designee, shall do all of the following on behalf of the school district: (1) Receive and document all incidents and complaints regarding school bus safety and school bus safety laws. (2) Interview witnesses and gather evidence, including video footage. (3) Complete all necessary paperwork, including filing police reports and signing warrants. (4) File charges or otherwise pursue appropriate legal action against any individual who commits a crime or violates a law relating to school bus safety laws. (c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the bus driver from voluntarily filing charges, or mandating that the bus driver file charges against an individual related to either Section 13A-7-4.2 or Section 32-5A-154.

(b) The local superintendent of education, or his or her designee, shall do all of the following on behalf of the school district:

(1) Receive and document all incidents and complaints regarding school bus safety and school bus safety laws.

(2) Interview witnesses and gather evidence, including video footage.

(3) Complete all necessary paperwork, including filing police reports and signing warrants.

(4) File charges or otherwise pursue appropriate legal action against any individual who commits a crime or violates a law relating to school bus safety laws.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be construed as prohibiting the bus driver from voluntarily filing charges, or mandating that the bus driver file charges against an individual related to either Section 13A-7-4.2 or Section 32-5A-154.
Ala. Code § 16-13-231 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-231
Section 16-13-231 Purposes and Plan of Apportionment
Status: in_force

(a) In addition to all other appropriations and apportionments of public school money now provided by law and made available for public schools there shall be apportioned and paid to local boards of education from the Foundation Program Fund, the amounts to be determined as hereinafter provided and in accordance with regulations of the State Board of Education. This Foundation Program Fund shall be used principally:

(1) To aid in providing at least a 180 full instructional day minimum school term, or the hourly equivalent thereof, except as otherwise provided in paragraph c. of subdivision (1) of subsection (b); and,

(2) To assist in the promotion of educational opportunity for all children in the public schools.

(b) The following requirements and procedures, supplemented when necessary by regulations of the State Board of Education, shall govern the apportionment of the fund:

(1) REQUIREMENTS FOR PARTICIPATING IN FUND. In order for a local board of education to share in the apportionment of the Foundation Program Fund and to receive the maximum benefits therefrom, the board shall meet the following conditions:

a. The appropriate local governing body must insure that the local board of education within its jurisdiction is receiving an amount of local tax receipts equivalent to ten mills of school tax as computed from the most current assessed valuation of property which comprises the school tax district or districts of the local board of education. The State Superintendent of Education shall determine compliance with this provision of the law in accordance with rules or procedures adopted by the State Board of Education. In determining compliance for a county board of education, tax revenues provided to the county board of education from the county, from whatever tax source derived, shall be considered. In determining compliance for a city board of education, tax revenues provided to the city board of education by the county and the city, from whatever tax source derived, shall be considered.

b. In the expenditure of all funds available for the Foundation Program as herein defined, the local board of education shall as nearly as practicable provide the same length of term in all schools.

c.1. The local board of education shall provide a school term of at least 180 full instructional days, or the hourly equivalent of no less than 1080 instructional hours. The local academic school calendar shall be annually established by the local board of education, within the parameters of subparagraph 3. In case the local board of education fails to operate any schools the minimum 180 full instructional day term, or the hourly equivalent thereof, or the minimum term as defined by the State Board of Education, the Foundation Program allowances of the local board of education shall be computed only for the actual period the schools are in session that school year.

2. In extreme circumstances involving natural occurrences, health-related occurrences, or other extenuating circumstances that result in the cancellation of an instructional day, a local board of education may submit a plan for the approval of the State Superintendent of Education to replace cancelled instructional days by adjusting the school calendar to extend the hours of actual teaching time on specified instructional days. At any time the Governor declares a state of emergency for any part of the state, any affected school system that is closed as a result and loses student days or employee days, or both, may appeal to the State Superintendent of Education for relief in fulfilling the local school calendar with respect to student days or employee days, or both, with no loss of income to employees.

3. The local board of education, in providing the minimum required number of instructional days or hours, shall have greater flexibility in establishing the school calendar by adjusting the days or extending the hours of actual teaching or instructional time provided on specified instructional days for the schools under the jurisdiction of the local board. The academic school calendar, established by the local board of education, shall include the minimum required number of instructional days or hours.

d. The local board of education shall expend funds for teachers’ salaries in accordance with a salary schedule adopted by the local board of education and approved by the State Superintendent of Education. The salary schedule shall be at least 100 percent of those salary amounts specified in the State Minimum Salary Schedule by cell.

The local board of education shall allocate state and local Foundation Program funds to each school in an equitable manner, based on the needs of the students and the schools, as reflected in the current year’s actual student populations, including at-risk students, students receiving special education services, and students enrolled in vocational/technical educational programs. The local board of education shall report annually to the State Board of Education on how all state and local funds for public education, including Foundation Program funds and capital outlay funds, have been allocated to each of its schools or area vocational centers.

e. The local board of education shall submit to the State Superintendent of Education, under the regulations of the State Board of Education, the following:

1. A proposed building program which sets out in detail the location of all present and proposed buildings; which indicates proposed educational centers and grades to be taught at these centers and which provides schools for all children of the local board of education.

2. Except for those city boards of education not maintaining a transportation system, a proposed transportation program showing the proposed routing of buses and the condition of all roads to be used for transportation.

3. A proposed professional development program which sets out in detail the professional development needs of employees of the local board of education.

4. A proposed technology program which sets out in detail the proposed expenditures of technology funds.

5. A proposed program for the provision of services to students with disabilities and gifted students in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

6. A proposed program for the provision of vocational educational services in compliance with applicable state and federal laws.

7. A proposed program for the provision of educational services to at-risk students in compliance with applicable state and federal laws. The proposed program for at-risk students shall include the provision that all funds allocated shall be spent for at-risk students.

f. The local board of education shall meet such other standards as may be set up by the State Board of Education to promote improved educational opportunity and provide better schools.

(2) DETERMINING COST OF FOUNDATION PROGRAM. In determining the cost of the Foundation Program, the Legislature, based on the recommendation of the State Board of Education, shall proceed to find the following allowable costs for each local board of education: Teachers’ salaries, fringe benefits, classroom instructional support, student growth, and other current expense. The rate per employee set by the Legislature for teachers’ retirement and employees’ health insurance shall be in effect for the entire fiscal year and shall not be increased by the Teachers’ Retirement System or the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Board, except by further action of the Legislature.

a. The Foundation Program allowance for salaries of teachers shall be determined as follows: The number of teacher units allowed in Section 16-13-232 for each local board of education shall be multiplied by the amount or amounts per teacher unit, which amounts shall be based on the average salaries for each major classification required by the operation of the State Minimum Salary Schedule established by the Legislature in the Education Trust Fund appropriation bill and adopted by the State Board of Education. In recommending to the Governor and the Legislature the State Minimum Salary Schedule the State Board of Education shall give due consideration to degree level, certification, and public education experience. Any teacher, including, but not limited to, a vocational education teacher, currently under contract in excess of 187 days shall not have the term or salary of his or her contract reduced as a result of this article.

b. The Foundation Program allowance for fringe benefits shall be determined by multiplying a uniform percentage times the amount of teachers’ salaries allowed in paragraph a. above or by multiplying a fixed rate depending on the type of fringe benefit. The fringe benefits allowances shall include amounts for the employer’s contribution for teachers’ retirement, health insurance, Social Security, Medicare, unemployment compensation, personal leave, and sick leave. The fringe benefits allowance may include allowances for other fringe benefits as may be approved by the State Legislature. The State Legislature shall seek the input and advice of appropriate agencies and individuals in setting allowances. The Teachers’ Retirement System and the Public Education Employees’ Health Insurance Board shall recommend to the Legislature, on or before the first legislative day of each regular session of the Legislature, the rate for the following fiscal year. The Legislature shall set the rate in the annual appropriation bill.

c. The Foundation Program allowance for classroom instructional support shall be determined by multiplying a uniform amount times the number of teacher units allowed in Section 16-13-232. The uniform amount shall include allowances for library enhancement, classroom materials and supplies, professional development, and technology. The library enhancement appropriation shall be for K-12 Public School Library/Media Centers and is an absolute appropriation. Other expenditures may include book binding, repair, CD Roms, computer software, computer equipment, cataloging, audio-visual materials, newspapers, magazines, recordings, and video tapes. The uniform amount may include allowances for other classroom instructional support as may be approved by the State Board of Education. The Foundation Program allowance for classroom instructional support shall also include an allowance for textbooks which shall be determined on a per pupil basis. The number of pupils shall be determined by the number of pupils in average daily membership during the first 20 scholastic days after Labor Day of the preceding school year. The State Board of Education shall recommend to the Governor the amount for each cost factor included in classroom instructional support on or before December 1 of the current fiscal year for the ensuing fiscal year.

d. The Foundation Program allowance for other current expense shall be determined by multiplying a uniform amount by the number of earned units. The uniform amount shall be recommended by the State Board of Education to the Governor on or before December 1 of the current fiscal year for the ensuing fiscal year.

e. The Foundation Program allowance for student growth shall be determined by multiplying the combined allowances in paragraphs a. through d. on a per student basis by the net year over year growth of average daily membership for non-virtual students for the two preceding school years. This allowance, for fiscal year 2022, shall be funded net of the amount received by the school system under the preexisting Current Units allotment and 100% thereafter. The net student growth attributable to full-time virtual students shall be funded at a rate determined by the State Department of Education based on the average cost to districts of educating a full-time virtual student beginning in fiscal year 2022.

f. The State Board of Education may cause, from time to time, a study of allowances for teachers’ salaries, fringe benefits, classroom instructional support, student growth, and other current expense of local boards of education to be conducted and, based on the results of the study, may propose any necessary changes to the Governor and Legislature.

g. The total cost of the Foundation Program for any local board of education shall be the total allowed for teachers’ salaries, for fringe benefits, for classroom instructional support, for student growth, and for other current expense. The allowances herein to the local boards of education shall be expended subject to all applicable laws, rules, and regulations; however, the total funds calculated in the total cost of the Foundation Program for teachers’ salaries shall be expended for salaries within the instructional program.

(3) DETERMINING FUNDS AVAILABLE TO PROVIDE FOUNDATION PROGRAM.

a. The funds available to meet the cost of the Foundation Program shall be appropriated by the Legislature taking into consideration an amount of local effort required on the part of each local board of education. The required local effort charged against each local board of education for its share of the cost of the Foundation Program shall be as follows:

1. For the 1995-96 fiscal year, the equivalent of five mills of local school tax district ad valorem tax as reported pursuant to subsection (b)(1)a.

2. For the 1996-97 fiscal year, the equivalent of seven and one-half mills of local school tax district ad valorem tax as reported pursuant to subsection (b)(1)a.

3. For the 1997-98 fiscal year, the equivalent of ten mills of local school tax district ad valorem tax as reported pursuant to subsection (b)(1)a.

4. For each fiscal year thereafter, the equivalent of ten mills of local school tax district ad valorem tax as reported pursuant to subsection (b)(1)a.

b. After calculating the total cost of the Foundation Program for each local board of education, the state allocation from the Education Trust Fund is calculated by subtracting the local effort required by this section from the total cost. Although the cost of the Foundation Program is calculated for each school, the one sum allocation for each local board of education shall flow monthly to the local board of education. The state funds for the Foundation Program shall be allotted by the State Board of Education consistent with State Board of Education rules and regulations.

(c) No local board of education may reduce the amount in any cell of any employee salary schedule, or otherwise reduce the compensation of any employee, based upon the amendments to this section made by Act 2012-482 or upon any future modification to its calendar or schedule pursuant to the amendments to this section made by Act 2012-482. Salary appropriations in all future Education Trust Fund budgets shall be based upon the number of contract days allocated by the Legislature, or the hourly equivalent thereof.
Ala. Code § 16-65-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 65 / Section 16-65-7
Section 16-65-7 Proceeds from the Sale of Bonds, Revenues, and Other Funds
Status: in_force

(a) After making adequate provision for the payment of the expenses of issuance, the authority is authorized and empowered to use the proceeds of any bonds, together with any other available funds (1) to finance equipment costs through equipment loans to educational institutions as herein authorized; (2) to fund such reserves as the authority deems necessary and desirable; and (3) to the extent not needed for the foregoing uses, to pay or redeem such bonds.

(b) Pending the application of the proceeds of bonds to the purpose or purposes of which such bonds were issued, such proceeds may be invested by the authority in such manner consistent with the resolution pursuant to which such bonds are issued, as the board of directors may deem advisable.

(c) Any and all revenues, receipts, investment earnings, and other funds paid to, or otherwise coming into the possession of, the authority as the result of financings accomplished from the proceeds of bonds, shall be held, deposited, administered, invested, and applied as provided in the resolution of the board of directors authorizing the issuance of such bonds and as provided in any trust indenture or other agreement delivered in connection therewith, or otherwise as the authority may direct, consistent with the provisions of such resolution, trust indenture, or other agreement.
Ala. Code § 16-62-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 62 / Section 16-62-2
Section 16-62-2 Definitions
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this chapter the following terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

(1) REPOSITORY. A place or depository on the campus of Stillman College.

(2) SOURCE MATERIALS. Any written or printed matter, memorabilia and artifacts.

(3) AFRO-AMERICAN. Any American person of African descent and who is identified with the black race.
Ala. Code § 16-36-72 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-72
Section 16-36-72 Digital Depository Study Commission
Status: in_force

(a) There is hereby established a Digital Depository Study Commission which shall consist of 12 members to be appointed as follows:

(1) Two members to be appointed by the Governor.

(2) Two members to be appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, one whom shall be a representative of a qualified depository.

(3) One member to be appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

(4) One member to be appointed by the Lieutenant Governor.

(5) Two members to be appointed by the State Superintendent of Education.

(6) One member to be appointed by the Executive Director of the Alabama Association of School Business Officials or his or her designee.

(7) One member to be appointed by the Executive Director of the School Superintendents of Alabama or his or her designee.

(8) One member to be appointed by the Executive Director of the Alabama Association of Schools Boards or his or her designee.

(9) One member to be appointed by the President of the Association of American Publishers or his or her designee.

(b) The commission shall meet at least four times prior to the start of the 2016 Regular Session to examine the application of a depository to digital material. The commission shall present to the Legislature a report that proposes a plan to make changes to this section and Sections 16-36-62, 16-36-64, 16-36-65, 16-36-60.1, and 16-36-71 if necessary.
Ala. Code § 16-60-32 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-32
Section 16-60-32 Treasurer - Removal; Temporary Custodian for Funds
Status: in_force

Whenever the funds in the hands of the treasurer or funds about to be received by him are in danger of being lost, the board of trustees or the president may remove the treasurer from office and take from him all funds and choses in action belonging to the college or any student therein, and may, in that event, appoint a temporary custodian with bond or security to hold such funds.
Ala. Code § 16-3-22 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 3 / Section 16-3-22
Section 16-3-22 Recommendations of Legislation
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall consider the educational needs of the state and on and with the advice of the State Superintendent of Education shall recommend to the Governor and to the Legislature such additional legislation or changes in the existing legislation as may be deemed desirable. Such recommendations may be in the form of prepared bills and shall be laid before the Governor and the Legislature.
Ala. Code § 16-60-111.3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-111.3
Section 16-60-111.3 Chancellor - Compensation
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the board shall have the authority to establish the salary of the Chancellor. The board may also provide for expense allowances to be paid to the Chancellor in whatever amounts and for whatever purposes deemed necessary and appropriate by the board, and directly correlated to the operation and best interests of the Alabama Community College System. Such salary and expense allowances shall be paid in installments from the annual appropriation made to the board or the Alabama Community College System as appropriate.
Ala. Code § 16-9-29 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 9 / Section 16-9-29
Section 16-9-29 Quadrennial School Census
Status: in_force

The county superintendent of education, subject to the provisions of this title, shall direct the taking of the county quadrennial school census. He shall cause the census to be retaken in whole or in part when directed to do so by the State Superintendent of Education. The county superintendent shall require the enumerators to make their report to him not later than August 15 following the date of taking the census. On or before September 1 following, the county superintendent of education shall make his consolidated report to the State Superintendent of Education. This consolidated report shall include the census data reported to him by the superintendents of schools of cities having a city board of education.
Ala. Code § 16-1-35 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-35
Section 16-1-35 Governor’s Academic Achievement Program
Status: in_force

(a) The “Governor’s Academic Achievement Program” is created to encourage and reward academic improvement in the public schools of this state.

(b) Pursuant to the State Board of Education Academic Assistance Program, the status of each public school is classified as one of the following:

(1) Academic Clear.

(2) Academic Caution.

(3) Academic Alert.

(4) Academic Intervention.

(c) Pursuant to the Governor’s Academic Achievement Program, any public school in the state that improves its academic achievement status by one or more steps from the previous year shall receive a financial reward.

(1) A two thousand dollar ($2,000) reward shall be paid to any school that improves by one step from Academic Intervention to Academic Alert, from Academic Alert to Academic Caution, or from Academic Caution to Academic Clear.

(2) A three thousand dollar ($3,000) reward shall be paid to any school that improves by two steps from Academic Intervention to Academic Caution or from Academic Alert to Academic Clear.

(3) A five thousand dollar ($5,000) reward shall be paid to any school that improves by three steps from Academic Intervention to Academic Clear. In addition to the financial reward, the school shall receive a Governor’s Academic Achievement Program trophy signifying outstanding academic achievement.

(d) Any school on Academic Clear status that demonstrates annual improvement on the nationally normed achievement test for three consecutive years, as confirmed by the State Superintendent of Education, shall receive a five thousand dollar ($5,000) reward for the third year’s improvement and a five thousand dollar ($5,000) reward for each three-year period of consecutive improvement thereafter. For any year that the school does not demonstrate improvement, the reward shall not be granted and the three-year consecutive improvement time period shall again be required prior to qualifying for the reward.

(e) Any school earning a financial reward pursuant to this section shall use the reward money for instructional programs and materials at the school as determined by the teachers of the school.

(f) The Legislature shall annually appropriate sufficient funds to the State Department of Education from the Education Trust Fund to meet the requirements of this section. The State Department of Education shall allocate the funds as provided in this section to the respective schools.
Ala. Code § 16-61B-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 61B / Section 16-61B-2
Section 16-61B-2 Rules and Regulations
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education may adopt rules and regulations necessary for the implementation of this chapter.
Ala. Code § 16-1-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-2
Section 16-1-2 Inspection of Buildings During and After Construction; Acceptance of Completed Construction; Forms for Construction Contracts
Status: in_force

In order to eliminate the causes of school fires and other conditions which jeopardize the health and safety of school children:

(1) The county or city superintendent of education shall notify the State Superintendent of Education within 10 days after the beginning of the construction of a building; and, upon the request of the county or city superintendent of education, the State Superintendent of Education or his agent shall inspect said building during construction for the purpose of seeing that plans and specifications upon which the contract was let are being complied with.

(2) A county or city superintendent of education shall not recommend and a county or city board of education shall not approve for payment more than 90 percent of the contract price of the building constructed by the county or city board of education until the State Superintendent of Education or his agent has made a final inspection of said building for the purpose of seeing that the plans and specifications upon which the contract was let have been complied with in full. The State Superintendent of Education or his agent must make final inspection of a school building within 10 days after being notified by the county or city board of education that the building is ready for final inspection. When the State Superintendent of Education or his agent makes a final inspection of a building and finds that it has been completed in accordance with said plans and specifications, the State Superintendent of Education must within five days after said final inspection give the county or city board of education written notice that the building has been completed in accordance with plans and specifications. If the State Superintendent of Education or his agent in making final inspection finds that the building has not been completed in accordance with plans and specifications, the State Superintendent of Education shall not authorize acceptance of said building until it has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications on which the contract was let or until the contractor or his bondsmen makes an adjustment satisfactory to the county or city board of education and the State Superintendent of Education. Final acceptance of a building cannot be made by a county or city board of education and the final payment of 10 percent of the contract price of such building cannot be made until the State Superintendent of Education has given written notice to the county or city board of education that said building has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications upon which the contract was let.

(3) Contracts for architectural services and for school building construction shall be made by county and city boards of education on contract forms prescribed by the State Superintendent of Education, into which forms the contracting parties shall write the terms and conditions of the contract agreed upon.

(4) Representatives of the Department of Finance charged with the responsibility of inspecting buildings insured in the State Insurance Fund shall at all times have the authority to inspect for fire hazards school buildings insured in the State Insurance Fund. Reports of said inspections shall be made to the county or city superintendent of education, the State Superintendent of Education and the Director of Finance of the State Department of Finance. If a board of education fails within 30 days to eliminate a potential fire hazard, or hazards, in a school building insured in the State Insurance Fund when notified to do so by a representative of the State Department of Finance charged with the responsibility of inspecting buildings insured in the State Insurance Fund, upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education, the Director of Finance shall have the authority to order the affected building vacated and closed until said potential fire hazard, or hazards, are eliminated.
Ala. Code § 16-1-33 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-33
Section 16-1-33 Written Reduction-in-Force Policy
Status: in_force

(a) When used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) BOARD. All public city and county boards of education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Alabama Youth Services Department District Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Youth Services Department District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.

(2) EMPLOYEES. Employees or personnel of the board, except those employees covered under the state’s Merit System and except those employees at the Alabama Industries for the Blind.

(3) LAYOFF. An unavoidable reduction in the work force beyond normal attrition due to decreased student enrollment or shortage of revenues.

(b) Each board shall adopt a written reduction-in-force policy consistent with Section 16-1-30. The policy shall include, but shall not be limited to, layoffs, recalls, and notifications of layoffs and recalls. The reduction-in-force policy of the board shall be based on objective criteria.
Ala. Code § 16-7-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 7 / Section 16-7-1
Section 16-7-1 Creation
Status: in_force

There is hereby created an agency to be known as the Alabama Educational Television Commission, hereinafter called the commission.
Ala. Code § 16-47A-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47A / Section 16-47A-1
Section 16-47A-1 Body Corporate; Rights, Duties, Property, Etc
Status: in_force

The school heretofore established in Athens, Alabama, and previously known as Athens State College and now known as Athens State University, is and shall remain a body corporate under the corporate name of Athens State University, and by that name, and under the direction of a board of trustees, may sue and contract, acquire, and hold real and personal property, and have and exercise all the powers of a corporation established to be a state educational institution of higher learning and shall succeed to all the rights, privileges, emoluments, benefits, interests, and titles heretofore at any time vested in the institution in its respective names; however, Athens State University is not authorized to acquire, be acquired, merge or consolidate with any university or college located more than 50 miles from its current campus. None of the powers, authority, or functions of the corporation provided for in this chapter shall be abated or impaired by this section, except as noted above. Whenever the institution is referred to in the laws of Alabama, by any one of the respective names by which it has been known, the same shall be considered to refer to Athens State University.
Ala. Code § 16-25-11.2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 16-25-11.2
Section 16-25-11.2 Purchase of Credit for Legislative Service; Option to Be Exercised and Paid for by October 1, 1988
Status: in_force

(a) Whenever used in this section, all words and phrases defined in Section 36-27-1, shall have the same meanings ascribed to them in such section, unless the context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended.

(b) Any active and contributing member of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Alabama who has been credited with at least 10 years of contributing membership service and, who has rendered full-time service as a legislative employee may hereby claim and purchase credit for any such prior full-time legislative service for which credit has not been granted in either the Teachers’ or Employees’ Retirement System.

(c) Any member eligible to claim and purchase credit for service under subsection (b) hereof, shall be awarded such credit under the Teachers’ Retirement System of Alabama provided he shall pay to the Secretary-Treasurer of the Teachers’ Retirement System prior to said member’s date of retirement a sum equal to the contributions he would have made for such prior service plus eight percent interest compounded annually.

(d) The provisions granted under this section to reopen the Teachers’ Retirement System shall terminate October 1, 1988, and no one shall be eligible to utilize any of the options granted herein if not fully exercised and paid prior to October 1, 1988.
Ala. Code § 16-13-368 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13 / Section 16-13-368
Section 16-13-368 Development and Implementation of Unified Application; Audit; Department Duties
Status: in_force

(a) The department shall develop, with the support of an external partner with expertise in streamlining state and federal funding, a unified application that aligns policy priorities, planning, and budgeting in one application. The unified application shall streamline applications and reporting for all state and federal funding programs away from multiple plans, applications, budgets, and reports into a single application. The unified application shall be operational for the 2028-2029 budget cycle. (b) In implementing the unified application, the department shall do all of the following: (1) Set state priorities for funding that focus on achieving key improvements for students and student outcomes. (2) Align grants to support each spending priority, maximize dollars leveraged for student outcomes, and eliminate redundancies. (3) Design an application process that meets state and federal compliance requirements and ensures spending is aligned with state priorities. (4) Support LEAs to build a strong plan for student learning and federal grant spending and articulate adequate achievement and growth goals for students. (5) Review applications against a set of criteria for plan approval and discretionary awards. (6) Approve and allocate funding that supports a clear set of plans to support student achievement. (c) As part of the development of the unified application, the State Superintendent, with the support of an external partner, shall conduct an audit to identify out-of-date, unnecessary, or otherwise burdensome state laws, rules, reporting requirements, and processes that apply to public schools. The audit shall include considerations and recommendations from school and system leaders, educators, advocates, and families. The State Superintendent shall file a report with the Governor, Legislature, and the public by November 1, 2026, outlining the findings of the review and recommendations for corrective actions, including executive orders, statutory changes, or regulatory reforms to empower schools, reduce bureaucracy, and improve student achievement. (d) Beginning June 1, 2025, the department shall complete the following actions: (1) Hire an external partner to support the audit and development of the uniform application. (2) Launch the audit established in subsection (c) and the development of the uniform application. (e) During the 2027-2028 school year, the department shall complete the following actions: (1) Complete the development of the unified application no later than February 2028, to allow LEAs to be able to use the unified application for strategic and financial planning for the 2028-2029 school year. (2) Develop and launch professional learning about the unified application no later than February 2028. (f) LEAs shall use the unified application to plan their system’s budget beginning with the 2028-2029 school year.

(b) In implementing the unified application, the department shall do all of the following:

(1) Set state priorities for funding that focus on achieving key improvements for students and student outcomes.

(2) Align grants to support each spending priority, maximize dollars leveraged for student outcomes, and eliminate redundancies.

(3) Design an application process that meets state and federal compliance requirements and ensures spending is aligned with state priorities.

(4) Support LEAs to build a strong plan for student learning and federal grant spending and articulate adequate achievement and growth goals for students.

(5) Review applications against a set of criteria for plan approval and discretionary awards.

(6) Approve and allocate funding that supports a clear set of plans to support student achievement.

(c) As part of the development of the unified application, the State Superintendent, with the support of an external partner, shall conduct an audit to identify out-of-date, unnecessary, or otherwise burdensome state laws, rules, reporting requirements, and processes that apply to public schools. The audit shall include considerations and recommendations from school and system leaders, educators, advocates, and families. The State Superintendent shall file a report with the Governor, Legislature, and the public by November 1, 2026, outlining the findings of the review and recommendations for corrective actions, including executive orders, statutory changes, or regulatory reforms to empower schools, reduce bureaucracy, and improve student achievement.

(d) Beginning June 1, 2025, the department shall complete the following actions:

(1) Hire an external partner to support the audit and development of the uniform application.

(2) Launch the audit established in subsection (c) and the development of the uniform application.

(e) During the 2027-2028 school year, the department shall complete the following actions:

(1) Complete the development of the unified application no later than February 2028, to allow LEAs to be able to use the unified application for strategic and financial planning for the 2028-2029 school year.

(2) Develop and launch professional learning about the unified application no later than February 2028.

(f) LEAs shall use the unified application to plan their system’s budget beginning with the 2028-2029 school year.
Ala. Code § 16-17-15 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17 / Section 16-17-15
Section 16-17-15 Freedom of Authority from State Supervision and Control
Status: in_force

This chapter is intended to aid the state in the execution of its duties by providing appropriate and independent instrumentalities of the state with full and adequate powers to fulfill their functions. Except as in this chapter expressly otherwise provided, no proceeding, notice or approval shall be required for the incorporation of any authority or the amendment of its certificate of incorporation, the acquisition of any property or ancillary improvements or the issuance of any bonds, mortgage and deed of trust or trust indenture. Neither a public hearing nor the consent of the State Department of Finance shall be prerequisite to the issuance of bonds by the authority.
Ala. Code § 16-46-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 46 / Section 16-46-3
Section 16-46-3 Exemptions from Chapter; Records of Private Postsecondary Institutions Ceasing Operations
Status: in_force

(a) This chapter shall not apply to any school offering instruction in grades K-12, or any combination thereof, including any person in regard to the operation of such K-12 school.

(b) This chapter shall not apply to any of the following private postsecondary institutions, including any person in regard to the operation of such private postsecondary institution:

(1) Schools operated on a nonprofit basis offering only courses or programs of study which do not lead to an associate or baccalaureate degree and are limited in nature to the performance of or preparation for the ministry of any established church, denomination, or religion.

(2) Courses conducted by employers exclusively for their employees and courses conducted by labor unions exclusively for their members.

(3) Schools, colleges, and universities principally operated and supported by the State of Alabama or its political subdivisions.

(4) Seminars and short courses sponsored or offered by professional business, trade, or religious organizations primarily for benefit of members thereof, or similar public programs of training where the majority of the students have at least half of their tuition and enrollment fees paid by their employers, provided that evidence is supplied supporting this exemption continuously over the preceding five years.

(5) Any private postsecondary institution conducting resident courses whose principal base of operation is within the State of Alabama which has been in continuous operation for 20 years or more as of July 1, 2004, and that held accreditation as of that date by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education.

(6) Programs of study regulated by other state public boards, commissions, or agencies requiring school licensure or performance bonding, or both, except where the appropriate regulatory agency requires a license under this chapter.

(7) Any private postsecondary institution conducting resident courses that has been in operation within Alabama for at least five years as of July 1, 2004, and that is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education shall be accorded the following provisions: Upon proof of such accreditation, such private postsecondary schools shall be issued a license and representative permits after required fees are paid to the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. The requisite accreditation shall satisfy the minimum standards of this chapter.

(8) Any degree granting entity accredited by an accrediting body recognized by the United States Department of Education and located in and authorized by a state participating in a regional or national reciprocity agreement that the State of Alabama has joined with the approval of the Governor or the Alabama Commission on Higher Education, and operating under the terms of that agreement.

(c) Any private postsecondary institution exempted in this section shall retain the exempted status as long as the conditions of exemption remain valid. An accredited private postsecondary institution or program of study not elsewhere exempted whose accreditation is withdrawn, suspended, or revoked shall forfeit its exemption status until the grant of accreditation is restored. Due process of the accrediting agency shall be allowed prior to withdrawal of an exemption. Private postsecondary institutions having accreditation withheld as a result of transfer of ownership shall be allowed a period of time to regain the grant in accordance with the appropriate accrediting agency regulations.

(d) An exemption pursuant to this section shall not be construed to constitute approval or endorsement by the State of Alabama for any purpose.

(e) Exempted private postsecondary institutions may voluntarily request to be licensed without surety as described in Sections 16-46-5 and 16-46-6.

(f) Private postsecondary institutions which cease operations shall place the student academic, attendance, and financial aid records in the office of the appropriate institutional administrator where a repository shall exist to safeguard and to make available these records to authorized persons upon request as follows:

(1) Private postsecondary institutions which merge, consolidate, or undergo change of ownership shall deposit with the continuing school.

(2) Private postsecondary institutions which are a part of a system, organization, franchise, or a ministry of a local church or a group of churches shall deposit with the administrative office thereof if such is to remain in operation.

(3) Other private postsecondary institutions not elsewhere designated shall deposit with the Department of Postsecondary Education.
Ala. Code § 16-60-2 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-2
Section 16-60-2 Shelton State Technical Trade School Designated Shelton State Technical Institute
Status: in_force

The school located in Tuscaloosa, Tuscaloosa County, Alabama and previously known as the Shelton State Technical Trade School shall hereafter be designated and known as Shelton State Technical Institute.

The State Board of Education is hereby authorized and directed to change such name of the school as herein prescribed and to see that appropriate markers be displayed and designated as such.
Ala. Code § 16-33B-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33B / Section 16-33B-7
Section 16-33B-7 Dissolution of Program; Vesting of Property
Status: in_force

The loan program may not be dissolved until all guaranteed loans have been repaid by the borrowers, or if in default, by ACHE. Upon dissolution of the loan program, all the property and moneys of the program not owed to the federal government shall vest in the Education Trust Fund, or its successor fund.
Ala. Code § 16-22-13.4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 22 / Section 16-22-13.4
Section 16-22-13.4 Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Adjustments
Status: in_force

(a) PAY INCREASES, FY 2006-07. The State Budget Officer shall allocate to the State Board of Education, the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind, the Board of Youth Services School District, the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, and the Board of Trustees of the Alabama School of Mathematics and Science for disbursement to the employees thereof funds based on the criteria established in this section. It is not the intent of this section to make appropriations, but the appropriations required by this section shall be made in the annual budget act for the public schools and colleges for the designated fiscal years.

(1) Certificated personnel (K-12). For the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2006, and each year thereafter, each certificated employee at all city and county school systems and the teachers at the Department of Youth Services School District shall receive a five percent salary increase. Each step and cell on the State Minimum Salary Schedule contained in the annual budget act for the public schools shall be increased by the amounts below for fiscal year 2006-07, the State Minimum Salary Schedule shall reflect the following percentage increases: Step Years of Experience Increase 1 Less than 3 5.0% 2 3 but less than 6 5.0% 3 6 but less than 9 5.0% 4 9 but less than 12 5.0% 5 12 but less than 15 5.0% 6 15 but less than 18 5.0% 7 18 but less than 21 5.0% 8 21 or greater 5.0%

The State Board of Education shall add two steps to the State Minimum Salary Schedule as provided for in the Foundation Program so that the matrix provides for a step increase for certificated employees with 24 years experience but less than 27 years and a step increase for certificated employees with 27 years or more experience. The State Board of Education shall adjust the existing Step 8 to accommodate the above provisions.

All certificated employees, including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion employees, shall be guaranteed pay increases in the amounts indicated above for their years of experience and degrees earned and the corresponding pay increases shall be reflected in the appropriate local salary schedule and paid to each certificated employee. The provisions and requirements of this section shall be in addition to the provisions of Section 16-13-231.1, relating to the State Minimum Salary Schedule. Each certificated employee shall be properly placed on the local salary schedule according to degree earned and years of public education service. either in-state or out-of-state, which shall be not less than the amounts appropriated for the State Minimum Salary Schedule. The employee shall be paid according to degree earned and length of public education experience. The pay increase shall be given to each person employed for the 2006-07 fiscal year in addition to any state or local step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The local board of education shall transmit to the State Department of Education the appropriate notice of the earned advanced degree for each employee in a timely fashion; thereafter, the employee shall be paid for the advanced degree as soon as the degree is certified to the State Department of Education as being earned. The annual budget act for public education shall contain an appropriation of at least five thousand dollars ($5,000) for each teacher who has successfully completed the certification process offered by the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS). Payment for passing the NBPTS test shall be appropriated from the Education Trust Fund and shall be given to the qualified teacher. The pay increase provided in this section shall apply only to the portion of an employee’s salary as provided under the State Minimum Salary Schedule and shall not require a pay increase on any local supplement.

(2) Education support personnel (K-12). A five percent salary increase or a minimum of one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever amount is greater, shall be paid to each full-time public education support worker and adult bus driver, including Adult Basic Education and Science in Motion personnel, employed for the 2006-07 fiscal year in addition to the salary received during the 2005-06 fiscal year, except employees covered under the state’s Merit System at the Department of Youth Services School District. Each governing body of authority shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule shall be increased to reflect a five percent pay increase or a minimum of one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever amount is greater, which shall be given to the person employed full-time for the 2006-07 fiscal year and each year employed full-time thereafter. The base rate of pay for part-time support employees shall be increased by five percent. A separate local salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job. All state-mandated and state-funded salary increases and fringe benefits for Child Nutrition Program workers shall be fully funded from the Foundation Program appropriation in the Education Trust Fund appropriation act, and shall therefore be subsequently fully funded by all local boards of education from funds provided in other current expense and not from funds generated by the Child Nutrition Program unless the local school system’s Child Nutrition Program has in excess of a three-month operating reserve. Before any funds may be utilized by the local board of education to pay for salary or fringe benefits, the State Department of Education Child Nutrition Program Administrator shall conduct an analysis of each local board of education’s Child Nutrition Program, and certify that the program meets the three-month balance as of the end of the previous fiscal year and shall therefore insure that the use of the funds in excess of a three-month balance will not be detrimental to the local Child Nutrition Program. The State Department of Education Child Nutrition Program Administrator shall certify to the State Superintendent of Education that funds utilized in excess of a three-month balance as of the end of the previous fiscal year are in excess of any funds contained in an approved corrective plan submitted by the local school system’s Child Nutrition Program for expenditures at each applicable school site for facilities, equipment, personnel, and/or salary schedule adjustments. It is the intent that no employee shall suffer a reduction of hours, benefits, compensation, or termination of employment as a result of this section.

(3) AIDB. For the fiscal year 2006-07, employees at the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall receive pay increases which shall be in excess of their salaries received during the 2005-06 fiscal year. The increases shall be as follows:

a. Certificated. The salary schedule for certificated employees shall be revised to reflect at least the following amount of raises: Step Years of Experience Increase 1 Less than 3 5.0% 2 3 but less than 6 5.0% 3 6 but less than 9 5.0% 4 9 but less than 12 5.0% 5 12 but less than 15 5.0% 6 15 but less than 18 5.0% 7 18 but less than 21 5.0% 8 21 or greater 5.0%

The board of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall add two steps to the salary schedule for certificated employees so that the matrix provides for a step increase for certificated employees with 24 years experience but less than 27 years and a step increase for certificated employees with 27 years or more experience. The board of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind shall adjust the existing Step 8 to accommodate the above provisions.

b. Support. A five percent salary increase or a minimum of one thousand dollars ($1,000), whichever amount is greater, shall be given to each full-time support worker employed by the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind. A separate local salary schedule shall be established and maintained for each job. The pay increase provided in this section shall be incorporated into the support employees’ salary schedule. The base rate of pay for part-time support employees shall be increased by five percent.

c. Miscellaneous requirements. The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind board shall establish and maintain a salary schedule for each class and type of employee and each step of each salary schedule for fiscal year 2006-07 shall be increased to reflect the pay increases above to be given to each person employed for the 2006-07 fiscal year and each year employed thereafter. The raises contained in this subsection shall be paid to each employee.

(4) Two-year postsecondary institutions. The State Board of Education shall revise all salary schedules of the two-year postsecondary institutions to reflect an increase of five percent for the 2006-07 fiscal year. The pay increase shall be given to each person employed in addition to any step increase to which the employee is otherwise entitled. The Postsecondary Education Department shall take proper steps to ensure that employees on all salary schedules, including the C-3 schedules, are given full credit for prior work experience in the public schools and colleges, and shall take care to ensure proper placements on the salary schedules. Placement on the revised salary schedules shall be in accordance with the employee’s length of service in public education. No pay increase shall be given to any two-year postsecondary employee in excess of five percent, except as specifically provided in this section.

(b) Miscellaneous provisions. The following provisions are hereby established:

(1) Fiscal year. All salaries and salary increases which are established by the Legislature or authorized by the State Board of Education shall be paid in full to each person employed before the end of the applicable fiscal year as defined in Section 16-1-1, as amended.

(2) Extended work. Public K-12 school employees on contracts which extend beyond 187 days shall be given a pro rata salary increment for each day or partial day of work extending beyond 187 days.

(3) Local increment. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or increase on the State Minimum Salary Schedule for teachers as provided in this section shall be exclusive of any local pay increase granted or due to teachers under provisions of any local salary schedule. Any cost-of-living adjustment and/or pay increase required by this section for public school support personnel shall be in addition to any pay increase due or granted to the employees under provisions of any local salary schedules. The pay raise provisions of this section shall not apply to any salary supplements granted by local boards of education, bonuses earned for certification by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, or the federal portion of the salary paid to a Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) instructor employed by a local school board.

(4) Reduced pay. No employee shall be dismissed or have his or her work hours reduced or extended or have his or her salary reduced because of the provisions of any pay raise enacted by the Legislature or required by the State Board of Education.

(5) Community education. Each county and city board of education shall have the option to exclude from the provisions of this section any community education or school-sponsored child care or child enrichment program which is supplemental to the state-required educational program.

(6) Local chief executive officers. The pay raise provisions of this section shall not apply to superintendents of education of any school system or institution. Any pay increase given to the superintendent shall be by recorded vote of the governing body of authority.

(7) Career-Technical Programs. There shall be no cutbacks or decreases in the Career-Technical Programs of any board as a result of this or any preceding pay raise act of the Legislature. Neither the salaries nor the number of career technical employee positions are to be reduced or diminished in any manner or method as a result of the passage of this section or any prior act after the 1995 fiscal year granting pay increases to any employee of the board. It shall be strictly prohibited for any board or chief executive officer to take monies from the Career-Technical Program to finance, in whole or in part, the programs or the salaries of the employees in the Career-Technical Program of the board, and the State Board of Education shall take care to protect the viability of the Career-Technical Programs of each board.
Ala. Code § 16-6A-4 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 6A / Section 16-6A-4
Section 16-6A-4 Governor’s Program for Improving Education
Status: in_force

The Governor’s program for improving education shall be implemented subject to sufficient appropriations as provided for herein or as provided for in any other appropriation legislation for public education in the state. Such program shall include, but not be limited to, the following:

(1) Establishment of the Governor’s Educational Reform Commission;

(2) Development of a comprehensive plan for improving courses in critical needs areas;

(3) Authorization for an emergency source of teachers in critical needs areas;

(4) Provision for a scholarship loan program for undergraduate students enrolled in critical needs areas;

(5) Establishment of a tuition grant program for presently certified teachers to add critical needs areas;

(6) Development of regional in-service education centers for teachers in critical needs areas;

(7) Increase in teacher salaries;

(8) Full statewide kindergarten program;

(9) Replacement of school buses;

(10) Library enhancement;

(11) Burned-out schools program.
Ala. Code § 16-3-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 3 / Section 16-3-7
Section 16-3-7 Meetings
Status: in_force

The State Board of Education shall hold a regular annual meeting on the second Tuesday in July at the office of the Department of Education in Montgomery, at which meeting one of its members shall be elected vice-president. Such other meetings may be held as the needs of public education may require, on dates to be set by the board in official session, by the president or by the State Superintendent of Education on written request of a majority of the board members. The rules generally adopted by deliberative bodies for their government shall be observed.
Ala. Code § 16-13A-12 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 13A / Section 16-13A-12
Section 16-13A-12 Bonding
Status: in_force

(a) The following officers and employees of a local board of education shall be bonded in amounts fixed by the local board of education and approved by the State Superintendent of Education:

(1) Local superintendents of education.

(2) Chief school financial officers.

(3) Any other employee of a local board handling local board of education funds as required by the board.

(b) The Chief Education Financial Officer shall be bonded in an amount fixed by the State Superintendent of Education and approved by the State Board of Education.

(c) A certified copy of the bond shall be filed with the State Superintendent of Education.
Ala. Code § 16-17A-7 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 17A / Section 16-17A-7
Section 16-17A-7 Officers
Status: in_force

(a) The officers of an authority shall consist of a president, a vice president, a secretary, a treasurer, and other officers and assistant officers as the board deems necessary or desirable. The president and the vice president of the authority shall be a member of the board. The secretary, the treasurer, and any other officers of the authority need not be a director.

(b) The president and the vice president of the authority shall be elected by the board as provided in the bylaws of the authority, and the secretary, the treasurer, and the other officers of the authority shall be elected by or pursuant to the authorization of the board for such terms as it deems advisable.

(c) The duties of the president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer shall be those as are customarily performed by such officers in nonprofit corporations. The duties of any other officers of the authority shall be prescribed by the board or pursuant to its authorization.
Ala. Code § 16-60-40 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-40
Section 16-60-40 Sections 16-60-38 and 16-60-39 Supplemental; Liberal Construction; Conflicting Laws
Status: in_force

The provisions of Sections 16-60-38 and 16-60-39 are supplemental, and this chapter shall be liberally construed to the end that Sections 16-60-20 through 16-60-37, 16-60-80 through 16-60-96 and 16-60-110 through 16-60-112 shall each have a field of operation and be construed in pari materia. However, such parts of Sections 16-60-20 through 16-60-37 as are in conflict herewith shall be superseded by Sections 16-60-38 and 16-60-39 when control of Northwest Alabama Junior College is transferred pursuant hereto to the State Board of Education.
Ala. Code § 16-60-111.11 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 60 / Section 16-60-111.11
Section 16-60-111.11 Additional Powers of Board
Status: in_force

(a) The board may exercise all of the following powers:

(1) To borrow money from the United States of America or any department or agency thereof, or from any person, firm, corporation, or other lending agency for the purchase, construction, enlargement, or alteration of any buildings or other improvements, including dormitories, dining halls, classrooms, laboratories, libraries, stadiums, administration buildings, and any other buildings and appurtenances thereto suitable for use by the institution or institutions with respect to which the borrowing is made, or for the benefit of the Alabama Community College System or one or more of its programs, the acquisition of furniture and equipment for any thereof, the purchase of land, the beautification of grounds, and the construction of swimming pools, tennis courts, athletic fields, and other facilities for physical education, all for use by such institution or institutions, and for the acquisition, installation, and implementation of technology systems and improvements, including hardware and operating software, for the use by or benefit of one or more such institutions or the Alabama Community College System.

(2) To sell and issue interest-bearing securities, whether in the form of bonds, notes, or other securities, in evidence of the monies so borrowed.

(3) To pledge to the payment of the principal of and interest on such securities the fees from students levied and to be levied by or for an institution or institutions, the revenues from any facility or facilities, and any other monies and revenues not appropriated by the state to such institution or institutions.

(4) To establish parietal rules respecting the use or occupancy of any facilities the revenues of which are pledged to such securities.

(5) To agree to maintain the charges for the use or occupancy of, for services rendered by or from, and for admission to, any facilities the revenues of which are so pledged, and the fees from students so pledged, at such rates and in such amounts as shall produce monies sufficient to pay at their respective maturities the principal of and interest on the securities with respect to which such pledges and agreements are made and to create and maintain any required reserves therefor.

(6) To agree to insure, maintain, repair, and replace any such facilities, systems, and improvements with respect to which any such pledge is made.

(7) To make such other agreements with respect to the facilities, systems, and improvements and such securities as the governing body providing for the issuance thereof shall deem necessary or desirable.

(b) The securities issued under this section may from time to time be refunded by the issuance, by sale or exchange, of refunding bonds, notes, or other securities payable from the same or different sources for the purpose of paying all or any part of the principal of the securities to be refunded, any redemption premium required to be paid as a condition to the redemption prior to maturity of any such securities that are to be so redeemed in connection with such refunding, any accrued and unpaid interest on the securities to be refunded, any interest to accrue on each security to be refunded to the date on which it is to be paid, whether at maturity or by redemption prior to maturity, and the expenses incurred in connection with such refunding. Unless duly called for redemption pursuant to their provisions, the holders of any such securities then outstanding and proposed to be refunded shall not be compelled without their consent to surrender their outstanding securities for such refunding.

(c) Any such securities may be issued from time to time, may be executed in such manner, shall bear interest at such rate or rates, shall be payable as to both principal and interest, at such time or times, may be made redeemable before maturity at the option of the board at such redemption price or prices and on such terms, and may be sold in such manner and at such price or prices, all as may be provided in the proceedings under which they are issued. The board shall have power to prescribe all details thereof, subject only to this section. Bonds, notes, and other securities issued under this section shall be eligible for the investment of trust or other fiduciary funds in the exercise of prudent judgment by those making such investment. Neither the securities issued under, nor any pledge or agreement that may be made pursuant to, this section shall be or constitute an obligation of any nature whatsoever of the state, and neither the securities nor any obligation arising from any such pledge or agreement shall be payable out of any monies appropriated by the state to the Alabama Community College System or to the institution or institutions with respect to which such securities are issued or such pledge or agreement is made.
Ala. Code § 16-1-30 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-30
Section 16-1-30 Written Educational Policies, Rules and Regulations of Local Boards of Education
Status: in_force

(a) Definitions. When used in this section, the following words shall have the following meanings:

(1) LOCAL BOARD OF EDUCATION or BOARD OF EDUCATION. Any city or county board of education; the Board of Trustees of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Alabama Youth Services Board in its capacity as the Board of Education for the Youth Services Department District; the Board of Directors of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; and the Board of Directors of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.

(2) CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER. The superintendent of any public county or public city school system; the President of the Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind; the Superintendent of the Department of Youth Services District; the Executive Director of the Alabama School of Fine Arts; the Executive Director of the Alabama High School of Mathematics and Science.

(3) PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATION. The employees’ local professional organization whose parent organization represents the majority of school employees statewide.

(b) The local board of education shall, upon the written recommendation of the chief executive officer, determine and establish a written educational policy for the board of education and its employees and shall prescribe rules and regulations for the conduct and management of the schools. Before adopting the written policies, the board shall, directly or indirectly through the chief executive officer, consult with the applicable local employees’ professional organization. Input by the applicable professional organization shall be made in writing to the chief executive officer. Representatives of the professional organization shall be made known to the chief executive officer in writing by the professional organization’s duly elected officers or their representative. The chief executive officer of the board may also consult with professional assistants, principals, employees, and other interested citizens. The written policies, rules, and regulations, so established, adopted, or promulgated shall be made available to all persons affected and employed by the board. Any amendments to the policies, rules, and regulations shall be developed in the same manner and furnished to the affected persons employed by the board within 20 days after adoption.
Ala. Code § 16-24-9 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 24 / Section 16-24-9
Section 16-24-9 Cancellation of Contracts - Procedure; Notice
Status: reserved

Repealed by Act 2011-270, p. 494, §14, effective July 1, 2011.
Ala. Code § 16-25-11.12 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 25 / Section 16-25-11.12
Section 16-25-11.12 Purchase of Service Credit for Time on Maternity Leave
Status: in_force

THIS SECTION WAS AMENDED BY ACT 2022-424 IN THE 2022 REGULAR SESSION, EFFECTIVE JULY 1, 2022. TO SEE THE AMENDED VERSION, SEE THE VERSION LABELED PENDING.

(a) Any provision of this chapter, to the contrary notwithstanding, active and contributing members of the Teachers’ Retirement System may purchase service credit in the system not to exceed one year for any period of time while they were on maternity leave from service without pay. The Board of Control of the Teachers’ Retirement System shall adopt rules and regulations for the administration of this section including verification of the service that the member desires to purchase credit for in the system. The member shall receive credit for the service when he or she remits to the system the contributions required by subsection (b). Notwithstanding the foregoing language, no member of the Teachers’ Retirement System shall be eligible to receive credit for any period of time that the member is already credited with in the system or in any other retirement plan, with the exception of the federal Social Security program.

(b) Any member who is eligible to purchase service credit in the Teachers’ Retirement System under subsection (a) shall pay to the Secretary-Treasurer of the system, prior to October 1, 2001, for the claimed service, a sum equal to the full actuarially determined cost for each year of service credit purchased as determined by the system’s actuary.

(c) Subsequent to October 1, 2001, any member claiming service credit under the provisions of this section shall claim and purchase the service credit no later than June 30 of the year immediately following the expiration of the maternity leave.
Ala. Code § 16-46B-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 46B / Section 16-46B-1
Section 16-46B-1 Definitions. (Amended by Act 2026-507)
Status: in_force

AMENDED BY ACT 2026-507, EFFECTIVE OCTOBER 1, 2026. SEE ACT FOR REVISED LANGUAGE.

For the purposes of this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

(1) BOARD. The State Board of Education.

(2) COMPUTER SCIENCE. The study of computers and algorithmic processes, including their principles, their hardware and software designs, their implementation, and their impact on society. Content should focus on teaching students how to create new technologies, not simply how to use technology.

(3) COMPUTER SCIENCE COURSES AND CONTENT. Courses that teach computer science either as a standalone course implementation in middle and high schools, or, for elementary school, integrated into other content areas.

(4) DEPARTMENT. The State Department of Education.

(5) ELEMENTARY SCHOOL. Includes grades kindergarten to six, inclusive.

(6) HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING. Professional development activities that satisfy all of the following:

a. Clarify the conceptual foundations of computer science.

b. Teach research-based practices, including hands-on and inquiry-based learning.

c. Are intended for existing teachers, with or without previous exposure to computer science.

(7) HIGH QUALITY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING PROVIDERS. Institutions of higher education, nonprofits, or private entities that have successfully designed, implemented, and scaled high quality, evidence-based computer science professional learning for teachers and recommended by the superintendent and approved by the board.

(8) HIGH SCHOOL. Includes grades nine to 12, inclusive.

(9) MIDDLE SCHOOL. Includes grades seven and eight.

(10) PUBLIC SCHOOL. Includes public K-12 elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.

(11) SUPERINTENDENT. The State Superintendent of Education.
Ala. Code § 16-47-32 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-32
Section 16-47-32 Meetings
Status: in_force

(a) The board of trustees shall meet at least once in each year and on the first Wednesday in June, unless some other day is selected by them, and it may, by ordinance or resolution adopted by it, prescribe other regular times for meeting. At such meeting it may continue in session as long as it may deem proper for the welfare of the institution and may at any session appoint a special or adjourned meeting. Upon the written application of four members, or of any three members with his or her concurrence, the president pro tempore shall appoint a special meeting and issue notice thereof to the several members. Such special meeting shall not be appointed for a day less than seven days subsequent to the date of the notice. In case there is no president pro tempore of the board, or in case the president pro tempore is incapacitated to act, then the Governor, as president of the board, shall upon the written application of four members, in like manner call such special meeting. Regular meetings of the board must be held at the university, but special or adjourned meetings may be held at the university or in the City of Montgomery, the City of Birmingham, or the City of Huntsville.

(b) Members of the board of trustees, the executive committee of the board of trustees, or any other committee established by the board of trustees may participate in a meeting of the board or committee by means of conference telephone, video conference, or similar communications equipment by means of which all persons participating in the meeting may hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means shall constitute presence in person at a meeting for all purposes, including the establishment of a quorum. Notice of such meetings must be given in accordance with the Alabama Open Meetings Act and such telephone or video conference or similar communications equipment shall also allow members of the public the opportunity to simultaneously listen to or observe such meetings.
Ala. Code § 16-54-8 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 54 / Section 16-54-8
Section 16-54-8 Treasurer - Generally; Bond
Status: in_force

The trustees shall elect a treasurer, who shall not be a trustee, who shall receive, hold and pay out all moneys belonging to the university or that may be paid in for the necessary expenses of students in the university or for their use and benefit, and the treasurer shall hold office for the term and receive such compensation as may be fixed by the trustees. Before entering upon the duties of the office, the treasurer must give bond in such penalty as the trustees may fix, payable to the University of Montevallo, with conditions that he or she will faithfully receive, safely keep and lawfully pay out, and promptly, fully and fairly account for all moneys or choses in action which may come to him or her by virtue of the office, and the trustees may require a new bond, or an additional bond, whenever they judge that the interest of the university requires it. The business manager or chief financial officer by whatever name appointed by the president may serve in this position at the pleasure of the trustees.
Ala. Code § 16-24B-55 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 24B / Section 16-24B-55
Section 16-24B-55 Appeals
Status: in_force

(a) All appeals of a final decision from the expedited evidentiary hearing shall lie with the Alabama Court of Civil Appeals. An appeal shall be filed within 14 days after the receipt of the final written decision of the circuit judge or the mediator. An appeal by either party shall be perfected by filing a written notice of appeal with the clerk of the Court of Civil Appeals within 14 days after the receipt of the final written decision of the circuit judge or the mediator by the party. Failure to file a timely notice of appeal shall render the decision of the circuit judge or the mediator final. Within 28 days after an appeal is filed, the chief executive officer shall transmit the record to the clerk. Failure of the chief executive officer to timely transmit a full and accurate record to the clerk shall result in a favorable decision being entered by the court for the contract assistant administrative officer.

(b) The decision of the circuit judge or the mediator shall be affirmed on appeal unless the Court of Civil Appeals finds the decision to be against the great weight of the evidence.

(c) The final written decision of a judge or mediator which is not appealed, or is affirmed on appeal, shall have the force and effect of a final judgment upon which execution may issue, or which may be enforced by other appropriate writ.
Ala. Code § 16-1-20 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 1 / Section 16-1-20
Section 16-1-20 Period of Silence for Meditation at Beginning of First Class in Public Schools
Status: in_force

At the commencement of the first class each day in the first through the sixth grades in all public schools, the teacher in charge of the room in which each such class is held shall announce that a period of silence, not to exceed one minute in duration, shall be observed for meditation, and during any such period silence shall be maintained and no activities engaged in.
Ala. Code § 16-36-64 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-64
Section 16-36-64 Statewide Textbook Contracts
Status: in_force

(a) No contract shall be made pursuant to this article for the purchase of textbooks rejected by the State Board of Education. The only contracts entered into by the State Board of Education pursuant to this article shall be for textbooks considered by the State Textbook Committee and adopted by the State Board of Education as provided for in this article.

(b) In addition to all other laws which forbid the use of textbooks in the public schools of the state by authors who are members of the Communist Party or members of communist front organizations, all contracts with publishers for textbooks made pursuant to this article shall stipulate that the author or authors of such book or books is not a member of the Communist Party or known advocate of communism or Marxist socialism and is not a member of a communist front organization.

(c) The maximum price at which the State Board of Education shall contract for local boards of education to pay f.o.b. the local board of education for any books to be used in the public schools of this state, after all discounts have been deducted, shall not exceed the minimum price at which the publisher sells such books in wholesale quantities f.o.b., the publisher’s publishing house, after all discounts have been deducted. Any contract made for the purchase of books for use in the public schools of this state at a price higher than such determined maximum shall be void.

(d) Every contract entered into under this article by the State Board of Education on behalf of the local boards of education and any publisher or publishing company shall contain a provision that the publisher covenants and agrees to all of the following:

(1) The publisher is not furnishing under contract executed after the first day of January of the year in which the contract becomes effective, to any state, county, or school district in the United States the textbooks embraced in the contract at a price below the price stipulated in the contract.

(2) If, at any time during the period of the contract, the textbooks named in the contract shall be contracted for at a price to any state, county, or school district in the United States, lower than the price agreed upon in the contract, then that lower price shall become the contract price between the State Board of Education on behalf of the local board of education and the publisher named in the contract.

(3) If, at any time during the period of the contract, any editions of the textbooks named in the contract substantially similar to the official copy on file in the office of the State Superintendent of Education shall be contracted for at a lower price with any state, county, or school district in the United States, the State Board of Education may at its option substitute for the edition contracted for the substantially similar edition at the lower price.

(4) If the publisher offers any free or discounted ancillary items or services, or both, to any local board of education or any public school, the publisher shall offer the same free or discounted ancillary items or services, or both, to all local boards of education or schools under the same or similar circumstances.

(e) If the State Board of Education determines that any book or books contracted for are being sold at a lower contract price in any other state than the price for which the book or books are being sold to Alabama, the contract shall be forfeited. Each contract shall provide that in the event of violation of this pricing agreement, the contractor shall return all money collected for the books and also forfeit the book or books to the respective local boards of education, this being the agreed measure of damages stipulated to have been suffered by the State Board of Education and the local boards of education. Action may be brought in the name of the state on the bond of the contractor for all losses sustained, and any sum recovered shall be deposited to the credit of the Education Trust Fund.

(f) Contracts with textbook publishers shall include all of the following:

(1) A provision that local boards of education shall be permitted to purchase with local funds textbooks for free distribution at the same price at which the local boards of education are permitted to purchase such books with state funds.

(2) The publishers shall replace defective or substandard books without cost to the purchaser.

(3) Provisions for the time of delivery, penalties for delay in delivery, and other provisions as in the judgment of the State Board of Education will insure prompt delivery of all textbooks at the lowest possible price.

(4) The publishers shall be required to use a qualified depository in Alabama for distribution of state or local adopted textbooks if requested to do so by the contracting board of education and shall have a sufficient supply of the adopted textbooks on deposit at a qualified depository for distribution or sufficient ability to provide access to digital textbooks as ordered through a qualified depository. Nothing in this subdivision shall preclude publishers from selling textbooks to the State Board of Education directly or through means other than a qualified depository for textbooks, but a publisher may not refuse to sell through a qualified depository. Regardless of whether a qualified depository is used in a transaction, the prices charged by a publisher shall not exceed the prices prescribed in subsection (c).

(g) In the case of the failure of any contractor to furnish the books as provided in this contract, the bond of the publisher shall be forfeited and the State Board of Education may contract for other books as needed. The State Board of Education may drop any textbook by giving written notice to the publisher at least 90 days in advance and upon the recommendation of the State Textbook Committee to make another adoption instead of the textbook.

(h) The State Board of Education, upon the recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education, may renew or extend contracts for no less than one year nor more than two years. This provision shall be made a part of the publishers contract, and the State Board of Education may exercise the provision by notifying the publisher in advance.

(i) The State Board of Education may include any additional regulations in the contract form that the State Board of Education deems best for the administration of this article, and any regulations included in the contract form and accepted by the publisher shall be construed as a part of this article. Publishers shall be required to comply with additional rules and regulations approved by the State Board of Education as if they were included in this article.

(j) The State Superintendent of Education shall preserve in the offices of the State Department of Education or in another suitable location, one copy of each book which has been made the basis of any contract as the standard specimen of quality and excellence to be maintained in such books during the period of the contract.
Ala. Code § 16-16-3 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 16 / Section 16-16-3
Section 16-16-3 Incorporation Authorized
Status: in_force

The Governor, the State Superintendent of Education and the Director of Finance may become a corporation with the power and authority hereinafter provided by proceeding according to the provisions of this chapter.
Ala. Code § 16-36-63 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 36 / Section 16-36-63
Section 16-36-63 Bids for Statewide Textbook Contracts
Status: in_force

(a) Each year, before the organizational meeting of the State Textbook Committee, the State Board of Education, through the State Superintendent of Education, shall advertise in such manner and for such length of time and at such places as considered advisable, that at a certain time and place determined by the State Board of Education sealed bids or proposals shall be received from publishers for furnishing school textbooks. Publishers and individuals may request an invitation to bid by writing the State Superintendent of Education. The State Board of Education may include additional regulations in the bid form that the State Board of Education deems best for the administration of this article. Any regulations included in the bid forms and accepted by the publisher shall be construed as a part of this article. The bids or proposals for each book shall be based upon a contract period determined by the State Superintendent of Education and shall be accompanied by a specimen copy of each book proposed to be furnished.

(b) Each publisher who makes a bid or proposal to furnish school textbooks shall be required to deposit with the State Treasurer a sum of money in an amount required by the State Board of Education, but not less than five hundred dollars ($500) nor more than two thousand five hundred dollars ($2,500), according to the number of books the bidder proposes to supply. If the bidder making the deposit shall fail or refuse to make and execute the contract and required bond, the sum shall be forfeited absolutely to the State Board of Education for the use of the State Board of Education for purposes enumerated in this article. The time within which the contract and bond shall be executed shall be stated in the advertisement inviting bids or proposals. All bids shall be sealed and deposited with the State Superintendent of Education to be opened at a time designated by the superintendent, provided bidders have been given reasonable notice in advance.

(c) Publishers shall furnish samples of each textbook submitted for adoption to each member of the State Textbook Committee in order that each member may also seek evaluations from others. All samples of books not adopted by the State Board of Education shall be returned to the publishers at the expense of the publishers, and those adopted shall become the property of the State Department of Education. If the publisher fails to reclaim a sample book within 90 days, the sample book shall become the property of the State Department of Education.
Ala. Code § 16-47-52 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 47 / Section 16-47-52
Section 16-47-52 Appropriations Not to Affect Other Appropriations to University
Status: in_force

Since it is the purpose of this chapter to establish and maintain a standard four-year dental school to be administered by the University of Alabama, and since the university, in order to carry out that purpose, must itself necessarily continue to be accredited by the national and regional standardizing agencies, it is hereby expressly provided that appropriations made under this chapter, being set apart exclusively for the school of dentistry and for no other purpose, shall not adversely affect appropriations made to the university in support of its other schools, colleges, divisions and activities.
Ala. Code § 16-33A-1 — Alabama Code / Title 16 / Chapter 33A / Section 16-33A-1
Section 16-33A-1 Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this chapter, unless the context requires otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them by this section:

(1) ACHE. The Alabama Commission on Higher Education.

(2) ALABAMA RESIDENT. A person who has been domiciled in the State of Alabama for a period of at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding application for a grant under the Alabama Student Grant Program. The ACHE shall promulgate and enforce regulations further defining and limiting the term domicile so as to limit the benefits of this legislation to bona fide Alabama citizens, based upon criteria including residency of parents and guardians, voter registration of students and parents, driver’s license registration, and other facts indicating bona fide citizenship.

(3) APPROVED INSTITUTION. Any independent nonprofit postsecondary institution of higher learning located in the State of Alabama which is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, any independent nonprofit postsecondary institution of higher learning whose credits are accepted by at least three other institutions which are accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, or any independent postsecondary institution of higher learning with a permanent facility offering classroom instruction located in Montgomery County, Alabama, which has been incorporated and in continuous operation for over 50 years and which has been accredited for over 10 years by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, prior to July 1, 2010. Such an approved institution must have an academic curriculum which is not comprised principally of sectarian instruction or preparation of students for a sectarian vocation and which does not award primarily theologian or seminarian degrees. To the extent that any such institution may have a religious or denominational affiliation, it must perform essentially secular educational functions which are distinct and separable from religious activity. Such an approved institution must not discriminate in its admissions practices on the basis of religious or denominational preference. No independent postsecondary institution of higher learning shall be considered an approved institution during any fiscal year in which it receives a direct appropriation from the State of Alabama. Nothing contained herein shall be construed to limit, replace, or diminish any direct state appropriation now being made or which shall hereafter be made to any independent institution of higher learning.

(4) ELIGIBLE STUDENT. Any applicant for a grant under the Alabama Student Grant Program who:

a. Has obtained a certificate of graduation from a secondary school or the recognized equivalent of such graduation; and

b. Is classified as an undergraduate student, as defined in this chapter; and

c. Is an Alabama resident, as defined in this chapter; and

d. Is a citizen of the United States or in the process of becoming a citizen of the United States; and

e. Is enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a full-time or part-time student in a program of at least six months’ duration in an approved institution as defined in this chapter; and

f. Is not enrolled and does not intend to enroll in a course of study leading to an undergraduate degree in theology or divinity.

(5) FULL-TIME STUDENT. An individual student who meets the criteria established by definitions, rules, and regulations to be established by the ACHE.

(6) GRANT. A monetary award under the Alabama Student Grant Program to an approved institution on behalf of and to the credit of an eligible student pursuant to this chapter.

(7) INSTITUTIONAL RELATED EXPENSES. Nonsectarian educational expenses, including, but not limited to, tuition, mandatory fees, room and board, transportation, books and supplies, and other incidental nonsectarian education expenses anticipated by an eligible student.

(8) PART-TIME STUDENT. An individual student who meets all qualifications as an eligible student and who meets the further criteria to be established by the ACHE.

(9) PROGRAM. The Alabama Student Grant Program, including the administration thereof.

(10) UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT. Any individual student who meets all other qualifications as an eligible student and has not received a baccalaureate degree or its equivalent.