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.
Where did Barry Jenkins feel safe as a kid? Atop a tree
Director Barry Jenkins is best known for films like "Moonlight" and "If Beale Street Could Talk." On Wild Card, he opens up about where he felt the safest as a kid.
Israeli strikes across Gaza kill at least 20, including five children
Israeli strikes across the Gaza Strip overnight and into Sunday killed at least 20 people, including five children, Palestinian medical officials said.
I discovered one way to fight loneliness: The Germans call it a Stammtisch
Modern life can be lonely. Some are looking to an old German tradition – of drinking and conversation – to deepen connection through regular meetups.
This Christmas I’ll be grieving. Here’s how I’ll be finding joy.
Since her husband's death, newscaster Windsor Johnston has been looking for ways to recapture joy and continue her healing journey — one that's taken her to a place she'd never expected.
On tap for the holidays: A blend of multicultural drink traditions and fond memories
For this year's All Things Considered holiday cocktail interview, we visited Providencia in Washington, D.C., a bar that brings its owners' personal stories to life.
College students get emotional about climate change. Some are finding help in class
A recent survey finds that more than half of young people aged 16-25 are highly worried about climate change. Some universities are now trying to help them navigate those emotions in class.
