Hoover Schools Chief Says No to Becoming Charter Authorizer
Alabama public school systems have about two more weeks to decide whether to become a charter schools authorizer, and the leader of the Hoover City Schools has made her recommendation: no.
“I hold no assumption that there is a charter school entity out there that can do the work better than we’re doing,” Dr. Kathy Murphy said Tuesday. “I’m not willing to ask our board to guess our way through this process. I guess we’ll get the guidelines. I guess those guidelines will work for us. I guess it’s okay for us to authorize and incur the liabilities for of a governing entity that does not even have to comply with the policies and procedures of this board. That’s way more guessing than I’m prepared to do as a superintendent.”
The Birmingham School Board could take up the issue at its September 8 meeting, according to a board spokesperson. That meeting is scheduled for 5 p.m. in the auditorium of the Birmingham Board of Education building.
Schools systems were asked to apply to become charter authorizers by September 1. State Schools Superintendent Tommy Bice sent a memo Friday extending the deadline to Sept. 15.
Bice said he received several requests for additional time.
Under the state’s new charter school law, systems can apply to become a charter school authorizer for their district. The state’s Charter School Commission takes on that responsibility in districts where the local school board doesn’t.
Puerto Rico holds general election that promises to be historic
Puerto Rico is holding elections that will be historic regardless of which of the top two gubernatorial candidates wins.
Boeing machinists approve contract, bringing an end to a bruising seven-week strike
Striking machinists voted to approve an agreement that will hike wages by 38%. The deal was endorsed by union leaders, who warned that Boeing’s next offer might be worse.
States and cities beef up security to prepare for potential election-related violence
Washington state's governor activated the National Guard to stand by to help local law enforcement as needed. Meanwhile, extra security is in place at locations across Washington, D.C.
When will mail-in and absentee ballots be counted?
Various state rules regarding when election officials can process and count mail ballots means it will likely take some time after Election Day before the results from these ballots are fully known.
When do polls close in every state? Here’s a timeline
The Associated Press can't call any races until polls close in their respective state. Here's a breakdown of when that will happen.
How has the Electoral College survived, despite being perennially unpopular?
Despite its substantial-sounding name, the Electoral College isn’t a permanent body: It’s more of a process. For decades, a majority of Americans have wanted it to be changed.
