The SBOE voted 6-3 Thursday to announce intent to adopt a new Amended Administrative Code rule that would require a college and career readiness (CCR) indicator to graduate high school beginning in 2028. Gov. Kay Ivey, who serves as president of the board by virtue of her office, told a packed auditorium the time is now to close the gap between the graduation and college and career readiness rates, citing a 92% graduation rate vs. a 76% college & career readiness rate. “It’s about closing opportunity gaps and giving kids an opportunity to excel,” Ivey said.

CCR indicators students can earn include:

• Earning a benchmark score in one of the areas of the ACT
• Earning a qualifying score of 3 or more on an AP exam
• Earning a qualifying score on an IB exam
• Earning a dual enrollment credit
• Earning a silver or gold or the ACT WorkKeys exam (about 37% of CCR are this)
• Completing an in-school apprenticeship (Required to be 18 to participate in apprenticeship.)
• Earning a Career Tech Industry Credential (4,000 credentials available in Alabama)
• Being accepted into the military before graduation
• Earning a Career Tech Completer status, by taking one Foundations course in a career tech field, intermediate course in that field, and an additional course like a capstone project.
• Any additional CCR indicator approved by the SBOE

Board members heavily debated the issue before voting, with opposing board members Belinda McRae (District 7), Stephanie Bell (District 3) and Jackie Zeigler (District 1) each expressing different reasons not to move forward. “We don’t put something in place without legislative support to fund it,” Bell said. McRae cited ELL concerns while Ziegler said in the interest of doing what’s best for kids, now is not the right time to add the new indicator. Dr. Tonya Chestnut (District 5), who ultimately voted in support of the rule, also shared concerns about inequities with available offerings in her district to help students to attain some of the indicators.

Mackey assured the board students in every district can achieve a CCR indicator on the ACT or ACT WorkKeys assessments and that most people he has spoken with have been in favor of the new requirement. He added that most students receive their CCR indicator in WorkKeys. Mackey also shared that expanding access to Advanced Placement (AP) courses to rural and high-poverty schools through training and preparation will be a priority. He also explained state funding is available for equipment needed to start a career tech program, but it would be left up to the district to sustain it.

The proposed rule will be open for public comment for 45 days with a vote expected in November.

Total Number of Staff: 332

Number of Certified Staff: 227
Teachers with Advanced Degrees: 88%
Average Teacher Experience: 15.97 Years

Revenue by Source

State $20.8 million

Federal $4.3 million

Local $13.2 million

Other $1.1 million

Expenditures
Instructional Services: $20.8 million (53%)
Instructional Support: $6.3 million (16%)

Operations/Maintenance: $3.5 million (9%)

Transportation/CNP: $3.1 million (8%)

Admin Services: $1.7 million (4%)

Capital Outlay: $375,800 (1%)
Debt Service: $991,787 (3%)

Other Expenditures: $2.5 million (6%)
Total: $39 million

Per Pupil Expenditures

Project Per Pupil Expenditures

FY21 = $11,666

FY22 = $14,515

FY23 = $13,327

Classroom Instructional Supports
Instructional Resources, $900 per teacher
Technology, $500 per teacher
Library Enhancement, $157.72 per teacher
Professional Development, $100 per teacher
Textbooks, $75 per student

Estimated general fund balance: $7.5 million
Estimated "one month" operating expenses: $2.5 million
Projected Reserve Fund Balance: 2.96 months (required by law to have 1 month)

Financial Accountability

• Financial audits conducted by independent CPA firm.
• Monthly financial statements and expenditures are presented and approved by the BOE.
• Financial statements and check registers are accessible via the district website
• Annual accountability reports are available to the public in December.

Board Auditorium

3200 S. Wilson Dam Road, Muscle Shoals

Meeting Schedule

FUTURE MEETINGS

Thursday, November 17- - due to Thanksgiving break

Thursday, December 15- - due to Christmas break

2023

Monday, January 23

Monday, February 27

Monday, March 20 - - due to Spring Break

Monday, April 24

Monday, May 22