On November 8, the Alabama REALTORS® Public Policy team attended the State Board of Education (BOE) meeting in Montgomery to monitor for impacts on the real estate industry and property owners.  The State BOE has a tremendous responsibility in overseeing our schools, and the quality of our school systems affects the real estate industry, economic development and property values in Alabama.

Business Meeting 

In the meeting, BOE members approved 17 resolutions recognizing various school systems and principals for awards. There were more resolutions to approve than usual due to the cancellation of the State BOE meeting in October for inclement weather.

The BOE also approved the State Department of Education budget for the 2020 fiscal year, which included $14 million more than last year’s budget. The budget has an emphasis for funding in the classroom and includes $600 per teacher. Teachers currently receive $536 each for classroom funding. The budget increase also includes additional funding for technology, school safety, professional development, library enhancement and textbooks. The budget now goes to the Governor for approval and then the state Legislature.

State Board of Education Background

The BOE was established in 1919 to set policies and regulations for the state's public school system. The board is comprised of nine members. Governor Kay Ivey is president by virtue of her position as Governor, and the remaining eight members are elected to four-year terms in partisan elections from single-member districts of the state with similar populations. A state superintendent of education is appointed by the board to serve as its secretary and executive officer over the State Department of Education.

The AAR Public Policy team will continue to monitor state regulatory agencies for potential impacts on REALTOR® members, the real estate industry and private property owners.