Goldin MetalsDothan Tree ExpertsDothan PCDothan Tree ExpertsDMGGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryTri State Parking LotThe PlantFlowers HospitalKennedy HireSolomon ChevCannabisCherry & Irwin Personal Injury AttorneysHardwick FlooringCannabisKennedy Land & TimberMPIFarm Stores DothanLast Call SpiritsDothan Tree ExpertsLast Call SpiritsMarler Probate JudgeE&J Clean Up LLCRay Marler For Henry CountyCannabisCannabisGreg FaulkDustin FowlerGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryDothan LivestockChris Maddox
Village Furniture



Houston County School Board - Election - PART ONE

Rickey Stokes

Viewed: 2983

Posted by: RStokes
[email protected]
3347901729
Date: Sep 12 2019 11:51 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:    Prior to Labor Day I promised articles concerning the Houston County School Board and upcoming elections. These articles have been delayed because of some research that I needed to do in order to adequately explain it to you.


School Boards operate different then regular governmental meetings such as Town Councils, City Commissions and County Commissions. And I had to study, ready and discuss to get a clear picture, which is still a w work in progress.


And as these articles continue over the next days and possible weeks, they will get deeper and perhaps offensive to some people. But I am going to do my best to stick with facts and not opinions.


WHO WILL VOTE   


The people who will vote on the Houston County School Superintendent is everyone in Houston County of which is a registered voter, excluding though,  anyone who is a registered voter inside the City Limits of Dothan Alabama.


WHY ARE DOTHAN RESIDENTS EXCLUDED?   


The City of Dothan has it's own school system, Dothan City Schools. The Houston County School Superintendent is the elected position over the Houston County School System.


Because the City of Dothan has it's own school system, the registered voters in Dothan do not get to decide who will lead the Houston County School System.


WHAT SCHOOLS ARE UNDER THE HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT? 


The Career Academy on West Main Street in the old Sear's building, Wickburg School, Rehobeth Schools, Cottonwood Schools, Ashford Schools, Webb Schools, Houston County Schools in Columbia, Hope Academy.


NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES, STUDENTS AND BUDGET  


The Houston County School system employs about 725 Professional and Support Staff. The operating budget for the Houston County School System is around $ 54 million dollars a year.


Enrolled in the Houston County Schools is around 6,500 students.


ELECTED SUPERINTENDENT   


The Alabama Legislature has taken aim at the Elected School Superintendents over legislative years 2018 and 2019. Those measures have failed.


Alabama is reported to have 67 County School Systems. Of the 67, reports show 55% of the Alabama County School Systems elect their superintendents. 


None of the Municipal School systems, such as Dothan, elect their superintendents. Their's are appointed by the School Board members.


Elected Superintendents are naturally more responsive to parents and constituents then appointed School Superintendents. The registered voters are able to select who they think will best serve the needs of the schools rather than the school board members.


Advocates for stopping the registered voters from electing the School Superintendent advocate appointments allow the School Boards to go outside the county, outside the region, even outside the State of Alabama in their search for the most qualified person to serve as Superintendent.


CURRENT HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD  


The current incumbent of the Houston County School Board is Superintendent David Sewell. The School Superintendent is the only "county wide, excluding Dothan" member of the Houston County School Board.


The School Board Members, all of which are elected by each district and not county wide, excluding Dothan are; Marty Collins, Gary Cox, David Hollinger, Chris Lassiter, Rickey Moore, Scott Thomas and Vince Wade.


The Chief Financial Officer of the Houston County School Board is Kelly Bedsole. She was first employed with the Houston County School System under the Superintendent Kenneth Lord reign.


At this time I do not know when she was moved up to Chief Financial Officer and have information researching about the appointment of the Chief Financial Officer.


THE ELECTION - YOU PICK REPUBLICAN, DEMOCRAT OR INDEPENDENT   


This election is one you pick the party banner you wish to run under. A person has to select Republican, Democrat or Republican. 


Whoever wins the Republican and Democratic primaries will have to seek election against the Republican Nominee, the Democratic Nominee and if anyone decides to run as a Independent.


The primary comes first and any run off in the primary. Then the General election is the final deciding factor.


Currently only two republicans are known to be seeking election.


Some of the School Board positions are up for election in this cycle. Not all School Board members seek election at the same time.


PART ONE   


Part one is just "setting the table" to understand the election. What I call "setting the table", giving some general information about the School Superintendent race and how the entity is set up.


As we learn together, we will learn duties and responsibilities of each position, what they can and can not do.


THEN will come the specifics of the race and some games and agendas being played.


But first I felt the table needed to be set so all of us understood how the County School Board is set up.


There is much more. And it is difficult to understand.


The City of Dothan School System make up is totally different then the Houston County School System.


DOTHAN SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT VERSES HOUSTON COUNTY SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT   


The Dothan Board of Education is an elected body. The Chairman of the Dothan City Schools seeks election city wide. All other School Board members are elected in each district.


The School Superintendent is appointed by the School Board. 


Over the years, ones I remember, Dothan City Schools has appointed Dr. Leon Hobbs, Dr. Wilder, Dr. Ledbetter and Dr. Edwards. The School Board terminated Dr. Hobbs, Dr., Wilder, but Dr. Sam Nichols retired, Dr. Ledbetter resigned and Dr. Edwards is current.


If the Dothan City School Board Members do not like the actions of the Superintendent, they are using OPM ( other people's money - yours ) they can buy out their contract and terminate them.


Houston County has had Doyle Bond, Kenneth Lord, Tim Pitchford, and David Sewell. All are elected. If the School Board members do not like the Superintendent they must get over it and work with them. For they are elected just like the School Board Members.


There is nothing they can do to get rid of the School Superintendent like the Dothan City Schools can.


STAY TUNED


Yes this article is boring. It just gives a overview. But follow as we go along... Part Two will be forthcoming.


TEXT RICKEY STOKES 334-790-1729 WITH NEWS TIPS AND QUESTIONS


Family First Funeral Home

<- back



CannabisSolomon ChevGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryGoldin MetalsDothan Pest ControlCherry & Irwin Personal Injury AttorneysHarley DavidsonChris MaddoxRay Marler For Henry CountyLast Call SpiritsGoldin MetalsNantze SideKennedy HireFun ZoneFerhguson WreckerWiregrass ElectricGreg FaulkDMGGilley Mill Farms and HatcheryFarm Stores DothanDothan Tree ExpertsTri State Parking LotMarler for Probate JudgeDothan Tree ExpertsDothan Tree Experts