LEGISLATIVE DIRECTORY
Be a voice in the 2023 legislative session by building relationships with elected officials.
BE AN ADVOCATE
Stay up-to-date on legislative issues so you can be prepared to discuss concerns with legislators.
Be a voice in the 2023 legislative session by building relationships with elected officials.
BE AN ADVOCATE
Stay up-to-date on legislative issues so you can be prepared to discuss concerns with legislators.
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President Dr. Bob Lawry
Hoover City Schools
President-Elect Chris McCullar
Walker County Center of Technology
Past President Donald Turner, Jr.
Alabama Association of Secondary School Principals (AASSP)
Carrie Busby .................................. Mountain Brook High School
Dr. Brian Clayton Hartselle City Schools
David Diaz Satsuma High School
Dr. Jason Goodwin ............................... Russellville City Schools
Dr. Antjuan Marsh Robert E. Lee High School
Wes Rogers Elmore County High School
Bennie Shellhouse.................................. Andalusia City Schools
Seth Taylor Saks High School
Alabama Association of Elementary School Administrators (AAESA)
Dana Bottoms ........................... W J Carroll Intermediate School
Veronica Coleman Chastang-Fournier K-8 School
Dr. Charles Gardner Hokes Bluff Elementary School
Dr. Margaret Jones ..................... Edgewood Elementary School
Dr. Waller Martin Enterprise Early Education Center
Dr. Jami Rainey Northridge Middle School
Dr. Stan Stokley ............................. Saraland Elementary School
Dr. Dilhani Uswatte Rocky Ridge Elementary School
Alabama Association of Middle School Principals (AAMSP)
Cassandra Anderson Straughn Middle School
Andy Carpenter Wellborn High School
Dr. Tamala Maddox i3 Academy - Middle School
Tony Sanders Greensboro Middle School
Alabama Council of Administrators of Special Education (ALA-CASE)
Dr. Charla DeLeo ...................................... Brewton City Schools
Dr. Annie Spike Marshall County Schools
Courtney Utsey Selma City Schools
Alabama Child Nutrition Directors (ACND)
Melinda Bonner Hoover City Schools
Alabama Leaders Advocating for English Learners (ALA-EL)
Dr. Stefanie Underwood ............................ Decatur City Schools
Alabama Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (AASCD)
Dr. Lisa Beckham Samford University
Ashley Catrett Crenshaw County Schools
Dr. Patrick Chappell. ........................................................ Retired
Dr. Justin Hefner Homewood City Schools
Dr. Carlos Nelson Sheffield City Schools
Dr. Evelyn Nettles-Hines..................... Birmingham City Schools
Alabama Association for Prevention, Attendance and Support Services (AAPASS)
Casey Davis Tallapoosa County Schools
Amanda Hood Mountain Brook City Schools
Bobby Jackson Retired
Alabama Association of Career/ Technical Administrators (ACTA)
Connie Davis ......................................... Demopolis High School
Chris McCullar Walker County Center of Technology School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA)
Christie Finley Huntsville City Schools
Dr. Suzanne Lacey ............................ Talladega County Schools
Dr. Chuck Ledbetter Pelham City Schools
Dr. Aaron Milner Saraland City Schools
Dr. Timothy Thurman ................................... Linden City Schools
Alabama Association of School Personnel Administrators (AASPA)
Dr. David Asbury ...................................... Gadsden City Schools
Dr. Allison Mays Tuscaloosa County Schools
Alabama Association of 504 Coordinators (ALA504)
Dr. Richard Templeton Muscle Shoals City Schools
Affiliate Presidents
Dr. Jan Tribble AASCD President
Dr. Waller Martin .............................................. AAESA President
Michael Romine ................................................. ACTA President
Dr. Bob Lawry .............................................. AAPASS President
David Sikes AASSP President
Dr. Resia Brooks AASPA President
James Chapman SSA President
Dr. Ross Reed AAMSP President
Lana Tew ALA-CASE President
Patrick McGavin ACND President
Dr. Jason Barnett ALA-EL President
Dr. Annie Spike ............................................... ALA504 President
Greetings and salutations,
I hope this letter finds you enjoying a productive semester. By the time you get this issue, the second semester will be nearing the half-way point, and some of you will be gearing up for spring break. Hold your horses, and let’s not get the cart before the horse. Let’s also ask ourselves why we have so many horses and carts around our schools. Just sayin’… The bottom line is simple: look forward to the breaks you will get while making sure you are firmly grounded in the present. Everyone under your care deserves your best leadership every day.
Thus far, the 2022-2023 school year has been very good from a state standpoint. We have received excellent news about our scores on national and state tests, and many states around
the nation have taken notice of the great things going on in Alabama education. This is due in large part to the work of school leaders from Addison to Ariton and from Ardmore to Atmore. Every area of our state is moving forward and making great strides to increase the learning outcomes for our students.
You have heard me say, “Craft your narrative, or someone will craft it for you,” and never has the time been better than now to do just that. The 2023 Alabama Legislative Session begins on March 7, 2023, and you can read about the importance of the session later in the CLAS Leader Magazine.
Our professional learning year has also been excellent, and this is due to the great work by Dr. Demica Sanders, Leslie Dennis, Linda Campanotta, Alyssa Godfrey, Anita Reid, DeAnna Swindle, Tammy Coker, Katrina Akers, and Debbie Lee. We are fortunate to have such a dedicated staff at CLAS, and I hope you take a moment to let them know what a great job they do. I also hope you continue to engage us about your professional learning needs. We strive to provide the best professional learning, and we want to know your thoughts in this area.
We set a record for the 2022 membership total. We ended the year with 4060 members! This is great news, and yet another indication of the hard work you all do to engage your peers about the work CLAS does. Almost every affiliate increased in numbers as well, and congrats go to AAESA for growing to the largest affiliate and to AASCD for passing the threshold for another CLAS Board seat.
I hope your semester continues to be one of excellence, and I hope you will let us know how we can help you in your leadership journey. Thank you all for the great job you do for everyone under your care. You are all rock stars in my book.
Warmest regards, Vic
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Each year, in December, the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools selects district secretaries of the year and names one CLAS Secretary of the Year. This award is sponsored annually by Simbli by eBOARDSolutions.
The Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS) and Simbli by eBOARDsolutions, the Secretary of the Year award sponsor, are proud to announce the selection of Mrs. Laura Johnson as the 2022 Secretary of the Year. Johnson was selected from among eight district finalists across the state of Alabama.
Johnson is the school secretary for Elmore County High School in the Elmore County School System. Principal Wes Rogers, Elmore County Schools Superintendent Richard Dennis, and Mrs. Johnson’s husband and son were in attendance as the award was announced at the closing luncheon of the annual CLAS Secretaries Conference.
In the nomination, Johnson is credited with dedication and commitment to the school. Principal Wes Rogers considers her connection to the community to be an invaluable asset. Mrs. Johnson understands the nuances of the school and how to communicate with people from every walk of life.
Mrs. Johnson’s kind heart has endeared her to the faculty, staff, parents, and students of Elmore County High School. She has been known to quietly deliver food and other necessities to a teacher experiencing an extended illness, provide a birthday cake for a student who had never had one, and provide students with specific needs as they arise.
District 1 Shirley Elliott Brewton Elementary School Brewton City
District 2 Crystal Shelley Highlands Elementary School Dothan City
District 3 Laura Johnson Elmore County High School
Elmore County
District 4 Danielle Brown Central Office Jefferson County
District 5 Staci Rowell LAMP High School Montgomery County
District 6 Patty Glover Piedmont Elementary School Piedmont City
District 7 Linda Tidwell Lauderdale County Elementary School Lauderdale County
District 8 Tammy Massa Sparkman Ninth Grade School Madison County
One example of Mrs. Johnson’s dedication was evidenced by her self-guided training through the PowerSchool implementation while she was in the hospital recovering from a kidney transplant. She even scheduled her surgery during a school break to avoid any strain on the school due to her absence.
“Mrs. Johnson is a ‘boots on the ground’ problem solver, has the patience of Job, an infectious positive attitude, and is the glue that holds Elmore County High School together,” comments Elmore County High School Principal Wes Rogers. Principal Rogers nominated Johnson for this award.
“Mrs. Johnson’s selection as the Alabama Secretary of the Year is evidenced by her kindness, and her selfless dedication to her school and community,” comments CLAS Executive Director Dr. Vic Wilson. “This award is inherently designed to celebrate school secretaries like Mrs. Johnson, who are invaluable assets to their organizations. “Congratulations to all our district finalists as well as each of the 96 secretaries nominated for this award.”
Nominations for this award were submitted by direct supervisors in each State Board of Education District. Each finalist is held in high regard by his/her employer as well as by co-workers and community.
The CLAS Secretary of the Year award has been presented annually for the past five years. The award is given to one Alabama school secretary or administrative assistant who supports the vision, mission, goals, and beliefs of the school system; promotes goodwill among co-workers; provides excellent customer service, demonstrates a good work ethic; performs work duties as assigned in an exemplary manner, and participates in professional learning in order to improve work knowledge and skills. The award is given at the annual Secretaries Conference Luncheon held in December.
In 2023, we are looking forward to continuing, and expanding upon, the trajectory that has been established over the past several months. We are excited about the plans being made and the collective effort to support high quality K-12 education in every corner of Alabama.
The State Board of Education, along with Gov. Ivey and elected officials, continue to make improving education a priority in the state, and a host of initiatives and programs are being improved or established to meet our most pressing needs.
With the legislative session upon us, some of the most important priorities include funding the K-12 budget for FY24. The State Board of Education approved a request that would significantly increase the number of teachers and administrators, provide more mental health professionals, and continue the full-scale push to improvement reading and mathematics by giving teachers more resources, instructional coaches, and high-quality professional development. Governor Kay Ivey will release the first draft of the budget in early March, and with her firm commitment to education, there is no doubt that she will prioritize the classroom!
Some other budget priorities identified by the Board include Advance Placement (AP) Expansion, Career
Technical Education (CTE) Expansion, an Alabama Technology in Motion (ATIM) Increase, assisting struggling readers beyond Grade 3, and continued growth for Jobs for Alabama Graduates (JAG).
As I write this, the State School Board is currently in the process of amending the State Administrative Code to ensure local school systems have First Grade Readiness policies. Though it is not nearly the majority, each year, some students show up for first grade without any preparation for school. The new rule would enforce the right and responsibility of local school systems to assist parents in making informed decisions about readiness for school.
The State School Board also approved a new graduation requirement this year that will apply to next year’s ninth graders. Students will have to attain at least one of the following 10 indicators for College/Career Readiness:
• A benchmark score on the ACT college entrance exam,
• A qualifying score of three or higher on an Advanced Placement exam,
• A qualifying score of four or higher on an International Baccalaureate exam,
• Earning college credit while in high school,
• Earning silver or gold status on the ACT WorkKeys exam,
• Completing an in-school youth apprenticeship program,
• Earning a career technical industry credential listed on the compendium of valuable credentials of the Alabama Committee on Credentialing and Career Pathways,
• Being accepted into a branch of the military before graduation,
• Attaining career and technical education completer status,
• Any additional college and career readiness indicator approved by the State Board of Education.
Alabama students deserve to be held to high academic standards and expected to demonstrate scholarly excellence. We believe that when students receive exposure to rigorous instruction with collegelevel curriculum from a qualified teacher they can
excel in Advanced Placement (AP) courses, better preparing them for college/university. Our goal is to expand AP courses throughout the state to ensure all students who want to take classes with increased rigor are able to do so.
The same with CTE expansion. We strongly believe that Alabama’s CTE program is the foundation of the state’s economic and workforce development. Whether attending college or not, CTE skills are valuable to students across the state. In fact, every school system offers some type of CTE coursework and 82% of Alabama students currently take CTE courses. We are increasing middle-grade programming and expanding Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) options throughout the state. With the aforementioned requirement for CCR prior to graduation, CTE is even more essential as students prepare for life after high school, whether that is college, the military, or the workforce.
We hope to see increases for the Alabama Technology in Motion (ATIM) program that provides high quality, research-based, embedded professional development for educators in the effective use of technology. We also support increases to JAG, the program developed for students who may face significant challenges from incarcerated parents to homelessness. The success of the JAG program, which boasts a more than 98% graduation rate, is a testament to what is possible when you equip students with academic, professional, and leadership skills.
Improved literacy for all students continues to be a primary focus as reading is the cornerstone to all other learning. Alabama has invested in Language Essentials for Teachers of Reading and Spelling (LETRS) training. Since 2018, more than 18,659 Alabama educators have engaged in LETRS training, and all regional staff are trained in LETRS training. In fact, more than 6,226 Alabama
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In 2016, CLAS School Leader published our first attempt to address legal issues surrounding transgender students and their use of restrooms, from a case involving a Virginia school district. G.G. ex rel. Grimm v. Gloucester County School Board, 822 F.3d 709 (4th Cir. 2016). The commentary was titled, “Appeals Court Looks at Transgender Students and Restroom Policy,” and was in CLAS School Leader Vol. 44, Issue No. 4, pp. 14-15 (2016). The student in this case was born female, but was in transition to being male, had lived nearly all facets of his live as a male, and was generally accepted by classmates as being male. He and his mother approached the high school administration for permission for him to use the boys’ restroom, to which administrators consented, for seven weeks with no incident. But members of the community learned of the situation, pressured the school board, and the board soon adopted a policy that use of restrooms and locker rooms “shall be limited to corresponding biological genders, and students with gender identity issues shall be provided an appropriate facility.” The school allowed the student to use existing singlesex restrooms (e.g., in the nurse’s office) while it converted an existing restroom to a suite of three unisex restrooms. The student in the above case, G.G., sued the school district under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, arguing that he was discriminated against based on sex; while the unisex restrooms were available to all students, he was the only student in the school who was required to use them.
Title IX requires that “(no) person . . . shall, on the
basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any educational program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.” 20 U.S.C. § 1681(a). The U.S. Department of Education released regulations for Title IX in 1975, which permitted the use of separate restrooms, locker rooms, and shower rooms on the basis of sex, but the regulations only stipulated that the facilities available to one sex must be comparable to the facilities available to the other sex and did not address transgender students. 34 C.F.R. § 106.33. In January 2015, the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) in the Department of Education issued an advisory letter designed to express how it interpreted how Title IX applied to transgender students. The letter stated, “When a school elects to separate or treat students differently on the basis of sex . . . a school generally must treat transgender students consistent with their gender identity.” Based upon the 2015 advisory letter, the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeal, with all members of the court participating in the decision (rather than the usual panel of only three judges), held, in a 51-page opinion, that Gloucester County School Board had violated G.G.’s rights under Title IX and the Equal Protection Clause. Grim v. Gloucester County Sch. Bd., 972 F.3d 486 (4th Cir. 2020) (en banc); appeal denied, 976 F.3d 399 (mem).
In 2020, we submitted a second commentary on a transgender/restroom case from a federal district court in Illinois. See, “Transgender Restrooms
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and Locker Rooms, Again,” CLAS School Leader Vol. 48, Issue No. 1, pp. 20-21, 23 (2020). The case was Students and Parents for Privacy v. School Directors of Township High School District 211, 377 F.Supp.3d 891 (N.D. Ill. 2019). The student involved was a biological male who was transitioning to being female, but it wasn’t the student who sued. This is an example of a lawsuit coming from the other direction. A local group organized against the policy, so that the lawsuit came from a community group who was against the policy to allow students to use restroom facilities in alignment with their claimed gender. The group considered the policy a “compelled affirmation policy,” because it affirmed students in their choice, but also created, they argued, the perception that students who were not in favor of the policy were intolerant or bigoted. The group’s lawsuit claimed discrimination against their children, because they had been subjected to a boy using the girls’ restroom. They included in their claims, that the policy violated Title IX, their children’s right to bodily privacy, the liberty right of parents to direct the upbringing of their children, the right to free exercise of religion, and the state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act. In a sixteenpage opinion, this trial court dismissed two of the five claims (that the policy violated the students’ right to bodily integrity and that the policy violated the parents’ right to direct the upbringing of their children. The Title IX and two religious exercise claims were continued for trial.
Now, the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeal, which has jurisdiction over federal cases from Alabama, Florida, and Mississippi, has addressed a Florida case regarding bathroom use by a transgender student for the third time. Adams ex rel. Kesper v. Sch. Bd. Of St Johns Cnty., 968 F.3d 1286 (11th Cir. 2020), aff’d 3 F.4th 1299 (11th Cir. 2021), overruled, Case no. 18-13592, 11th Cir., Filed 12/30/2022 (en banc). The student in this case was a transgender male, born female but in the process of transition to being male by the time he was in high school. He enrolled in the fourth grade as a female based on his birth certificate but identified as male by the eighth grade. He was then treated in most ways in the school as a male, except with regard to the use of
a restroom. He was required to either use the girls’ multi-stall restroom or use a single-sex restroom. The board policy separated restroom usage, based upon the gender printed on the student’s original birth certificate. Using medical certificates and other documents, the student was able to obtain a substitute birth certificate regarding him as male, but the school district would not acknowledge it.
The student sued the school district, alleging sex discrimination under Title IX and alleging a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The trial court found in favor of the student on both claims, and the appellate court agreed with the trial court in the first two trips to the higher court in 2020 and 2021. With regard to the Title IX claim, the trial court and the appeals court followed a lineage of cases under Title VII, which prohibits discrimination against transgender persons in the employment context, and a lineage of Title IX cases that acknowledges that transgender issues are about sex, bringing them under Title IX protection. Examination of Equal Protection claims precipitates a requirement that the school prove the necessity for the policy. At the lower levels of this case, the courts adopted the highest standard, which the school could not prove. Therefore, in the trial court and the first two trips to the appeals court, the student won, and the school district lost.
After the trial court and two trips to the appeals court, the circuit court of appeal accepted a request for a review by all the members of the court, not just a panel of three judges. At this latest stage, the full court voted (roughly 7-4) to overturn the earlier decisions. With regard to the application of Title IX, the court denied a violation of Title IX, because the regulations at the time specifically permitted sexseparated bathrooms. With regard to the Equal Protection Clause, the court deployed a lower standard for the school to prove its need for the policy, which the school was able to do.
Last year, the Legislature passed Alabama Act 2022290, H.322, which is codified as § 16-1-54 Code of
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Alabama (1975). That act required all K-12 public schools to designate multiple occupancy restrooms and changing areas to be used based upon biological sex. (The act also prohibits classroom discussion and instruction on sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K-5.) Under the Adams case, this act is still valid, but things could change. With a new administration, the U.S. Department of Education has released a draft of new proposed Title IX regulations, which arguably extend more rights to transgender schoolchildren. When new regulations are adopted, that change could foster a different interpretation of the application of Title IX to the issue.
As demonstrated, we now have at least two circuit courts of appeal which have opposite outcomes on the issue of transgender students and the restrooms they may or may not use. For illustration purposes, we have also included a recent case where parents in the community have brought suit because schools are attempting to both follow the law and also
deal with all students with kindness and support. With two completely different interpretations in the appellate courts about following the law, the Supreme Court will eventually have to settle the issue. In the meantime, school administrators and teachers should work with transgender students and their parents to quietly reach an accommodation that works for each individual child and each individual school. Of course, school personnel need to protect all students from bullying and harassment, and continue to treat all students with care, kindness, compassion, and dignity.
We offer one final thought. During this time of rapid change in rules regarding transgender students and restrooms we wonder if schools should have a policy at the school district level on the topic. If you don’t have one, should you resist the urge to pass one, until the Supreme Court provides direction? If you have one, should you suspend it until the Supreme Court rules? Those are topics of discussion with your school board attorney.
Ready or not, here I come, gee that used to be such fun…with apologies to Jay and the Techniques, I am not talking about their 1967 song, “Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie.” I am talking about the 2023 Alabama Legislative Session that begins on March 7, 2023. Like the song says, ready or not, the legislators are coming. The upcoming session is the first in the new quadrennium. The quadrennium is the four-year period between elections and starts the year after the state election. Our elections were held in November, 2022, and 2023 is the first year of the new quadrennium. Based on the 105-day calendar potential, the session could last until June 19, 2023. Let us hope they sine die prior to that date.
What can we expect during this session. We can expect uncertainty in most areas, and certainty in some. It is certain that we will have a record amount of money to spend on the general fund and education fund budgets. Everything else is uncertain. We are paying close attention to comments from senate and house leadership as well as comments coming from the governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, state superintendent, and others about the upcoming session. We encourage you to do the same and to pay close attention to what your locally elected officials are saying.
Some issues that could be discussed include broadband access, parent choice, tax rebates, job creation, workforce development, and maybe Tik Tok. Other issues will arise, and we will update you weekly and even daily if issues arise that make it necessary for you to contact your legislator. Please take the time to read our updates and engage your local officials about your concerns. You can find the 2023 CLAS Legislative Platform by clicking here. We are here to answer any questions you may have.
The new session will also include 37 new faces in the legislature. This is 1/3 of the total body, and an unusually high number. Along with the
new legislators, the house and senate both have new leadership positions. Representative Nathaniel Ledbetter from Rainsville is the new speaker of the house, and CLAS looks forward to working with him during this session.
CLAS will also have Hill Days during the session. Wednesday will be our Hill Day for CLAS members to come to Montgomery and engage with legislators. We will be sending information about these events soon in the Friday Update. We look forward to seeing you in Montgomery and in your districts.
Be sure to check pages 33-43 of this publication for a legislative directory. This is a valuable resource you can use to build relationships with your elected officials.
Remember, craft your narrative or someone will craft it for you.
The Alabama Ethics Act prohibits a public employee (which includes everyone employed by a board of education in Alabama) from using his or her government position for personal gain. Thus, a teacher should not tutor, for pay, the teacher’s own students. After all, the board of education pays that teacher to teach those students.
But what about a teacher tutoring children who are not his or her students at the time? Can a teacher tutor children who may, in the future, become that teacher’s students? May a teacher tutor children who were formerly his or her students?
According to a recent opinion of the Alabama Ethics Commission, under certain conditions, the teacher can tutor former or potential future students. In Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion 2023-01, the Alabama Ethics Commission ruled on a 3-1 vote that the Ethics Act does not prohibit a public employee from establishing a private company and providing services, even to someone or a company that interacts with the public employee in his public position. The Ethics Commission said that the employee must not use his government position to benefit himself or his consulting company and may not use confidential information, public equipment, public facilities, publicly owned materials, or government employee labor under
his discretionary control to benefit himself or his private company. The Ethics Commission also ruled that the employee could not be paid as a consultant “for the purpose of corruptly influencing an official action.”
Ethics Opinion 2023-01 involved a county E-911 director. In that role, the public employee worked with emergency communications systems. Obviously, that employee possessed expertise in mobile communications. A vendor of E-911 requested his expertise (for pay) to solve a technical issue. The Ethics Commission allowed the public employee to do so, provided the above conditions were met.1
Applying Ethics Opinion 2023-01 to education, educators, like the E-911 director, are experts, but in teaching and pedagogy. The Ethics Act does not prohibit you from using your expertise, even if you profit from it. As a “big picture,” this analysis makes good sense and is good public policy because otherwise, a government expert would be unable to share with private individuals that expertise, thus discouraging an expert from entering into public service.
Nevertheless, be careful: Do not use FERPA-protected information in tutoring a child. Do not use tests from your school, as those are confidential, and the Ethics Commission prohibits using confidential information for personal gain. Do not promote yourself at your school or any other public school as a tutor. If you did so, you might violate the law, as you have an advantage over a private tutor because you advertised in a public school (unless others can, too). Do not tutor your own students until they are no longer your students. If you do not have the ability to decide who will be your students (because someone else assigns students to the classroom),
According to ML Stedman, “January looks forward to the new year and back to the old year. He sees past and future.” Each year in January, we stop to reflect on the past year and begin to renew our sense of purpose for the upcoming year by making goals or resolutions. Eating better, working out more, and traveling abroad are just a few resolutions that are often made during this month. This year, I decided that I would not make a New Year’s resolution (I usually don’t keep them past March anyway) but decided to participate in Jon Gordon’s one word challenge. By doing this, I am motivated to plan and make this year the best one yet!
As you reflect on the goals and resolutions that you made, here are some movies to inspire and motivate you or perhaps provide you with a moment of comedic relief which is good for all of our mental wellness. These movies also have important lessons for you as you work on your new year’s resolutions/ goals/words!
1. The Color Purple (1985): Whoopi Goldburg stars in this 1985 film as Celie, a woman who marries an abusive husband and spends the film finding ways to overcome the many obstacles that comes her way. This beautifully written film reminds all of us of the power of selflove and how it can motivate you to overcome any obstacle that may arise.
2. Little Miss Sunshine (2006): Abigail Breslin and Greg Kinnear star in this heartwarming film about a little girl named Olive who is trying to win the Little Miss Sunshine beauty contest and the family who supports her in this endeavor. Olive never wins the contest but she and her family learn a lot of life’s lessons along the way. As you work through those resolutions this year, remember to accept your shortcomings, and keep pressing. You may or may not make it, but the journey is essential for you.
3. Ratatouille (2007): Who doesn’t like animation especially if it stars a rat and is centered around food? In this animated comedy set in the lovely city of Paris, is about a rat (Remy) and his special relationship with a kitchen worker (Linguini) in Paris. This movie teaches us that you can be anything that you want to be as long as you keep your dreams in focus. Focus on
those resolutions and you will definitely see the results that you want to see.
4. Legally Blonde (2001): This is one of my all-time favorite movies starring Reese Witherspoon who decides to win back the boyfriend who dumped her by attending Harvard Law School. Although considered to be a “scatterbrain,” she defies all odds where her knowledge of hair and sorority life work in her favor. This movie reminds us of the importance of always being yourself – even if that is a person who loves pink and fluffy things. Never underestimate the value of being authentic self!
As you begin the new year, it is my hope that you can accomplish whatever your heart desires. Many of us are making those mental lists of things we want to accomplish or do this year, while some of us are capturing them in a notebook. Hopefully, you will take some time this year and look for inspiration in your favorite movie to springboard your resolutions or to help you find the inspiration needed to accomplish your goal.
Should you vow to increase your professional learning in the new year, then please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to helping you achieve all your accomplishments in the new year!
Visit clasleaders.org/events for more information and registration
CLAS Lunch & Learn: Working with Children with Autism Webinar
CLAS Leadership Institute: Teaching Social and Emotional Skills through (Not Instead of!) Daily Academics
Daphne, AL
CLAS Lunch & Learn: Upping Your D and I Game: Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace Webinar
CLAS Leadership Institute: Educational Technology Integration Daphne, AL
then you can tutor prospective future students as long as those children are not currently assigned as your students.
In a small school, where the students advancing from grade to grade will most likely become your students, consult a lawyer or the Ethics Commission as to whether you can tutor those students.
Of course, any tutoring you do should not be at the school unless everyone, public or private, has the same opportunity to use the school. Instead, use the local library or some other public place to which all have access. Or use a private place. Tutoring, obviously, must be done on your own time, not the time you are expected to be working for your board of education.
If you are a “final decision maker” for the school or school district, it is possible that the Ethics Act prohibits you from dealing with some or all of those students. That requires a much more detailed analysis, far beyond what we can cover in this short article.
In conclusion, the Alabama Ethics Act allows teachers to tutor, but under conditions.
CLAS Leadership Institute: Educational Technology Integration Prattville, AL and Virtual
AAPASS Spring Conference: Mobile, AL
CLAS Leadership Institute: Teaching Social and Emotional Skills through (Not Instead of!) Daily Academics
Prattville, AL and Virtual
CLAS Leadership Institute: Educational Technology Integration Florence, AL
CLAS Lunch & Learn: Winding Down & Warming Up: ALSDE Instructional Updates to Transition to the 2023-2024 School Year Webinar
CLAS Leadership Institute: Teaching Social and Emotional Skills through (Not Instead of!) Daily Academics
Hoover, AL
ACND Spring Meeting: Gulf Shores, AL
CLAS Law Conference: Prattville, AL
ACND Spring Meeting: Gulf Shores, AL
CLAS Culture Training Day 2 of 2: Montevallo, AL
1 The opinion concluded: “The Ethics Act does not prohibit a public employee who is the E-911 Director of the Pike County Emergency Communications District from establishing a private consulting company and providing services to a company that has interacted with him in his public position to provide goods or services to member agencies and departments with the Pike County ECD provided he does not use his position to benefit himself or his consulting company and has not already used his position to create the opportunity for himself or his business.” Ethics Commission Opinion No. 2023-01, page 5, February 1, 2023.
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Our Mission: The mission of the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools is to coordinate and facilitate the resources of all members for the advancement of public education.
Fund a line item for school safety expenditures
Lower the ADM factor for assistant principal earned units
Baldwin County - Rosinton ES; Bibb County - West Blocton ES; Birmingham City - Huffman Academy; Calhoun County - Alexandria ES. Ohatchee ES, Pleasant Valley ES, Saks ES, Wellborn ES, White Plains ES; Demopolis City - US Jones ES; Franklin County - Belgreen HS, Phil Campbell ES, Ray Thompson ES, Tharptown ES, Walnut Park ES; Gadsden City - CA Donehoo ES, Eura Brown ES, Floyd ES, Mitchell ES, Oscar Adams ES, Striplin ES; Gulf Shores City Schools - Gulf Shores ES; Jefferson County - Snow Rogers ES; Mobile County - George Hall ES; Mountain Brook City - Cherokee Bend ES, Crestline ES; Russellville City - West ES, Russellville ES; Talladega County - Lincoln ES
Our Priorities:
In the 2023 Legislative Session, CLAS will proritize policy and budget items that ensure the academic needs, physical safety, and health and wellbeing of every child.
Top tier priorities are those that the CLAS Board of Directors has indicated are most important for their school’s and system’s success in FY2024. CLAS will advocate for these until accomplished.
More Information: Visit our legislative advocacy page on our website at clasleaders.org/advocacy or scan the code below to access our full list of priorities.
Increase at-risk funding to better reflect the intensive instructional needs of at-risk students - students who are high poverty, high academic need, or both
Fund the full salary and benefits of elementary instructional coaches, both reading and math
Lower divisors in grades 4-6 to fund increased staffing needs to meet literacy and numeracy instructional demands in upper elementary grades (FY2023 grade-span divisor: 20.43)
Fund transportation at 100%
Lower the ADM factor for counselor earned units
Increase funding for school nurses
In a supplemental appropriation, prioritize funding for school construction projects to offset the rising costs of construction
Increase fleet renewal reimbursement to match the average school bus purchase price ($103,600 in FY22)
Increase funding for summer instructional camps and tutoring required by the Literacy and Numeracy Acts
Developed by the School Superintendents of Alabama (SSA) and adopted by the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS)
CLAS has always maintained a close working relationship with the State Department of Education. Beginning with this quadrennium, CLAS will also focus on working with and lobbying the State Board of Education (SBOE) on issues affecting the CLAS membership, local schools and school systems, and Alabama students. The 2023 priorities are:
Develop relationships with State Board of Education members
Pursue SBOE action to:
Establish, or if already established, participation in a state/national bid process for school buses
Approve a College and Career Readiness (CCR) indicator that is meaningful for all students and achievable for students not eligible for the alternate assessment and that satisfies the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Plan requirements.
In 2023, CLAS will take an increasingly active role in advocating for federal policies and legislation. The 2023 federal advocacy policies will be:
Establish relationships with the Alabama Congressional Delegation
Pursue federal action on:
Revised CNP dietary guidelines to make school meals more appealing
Extend timelines/deadlines for the use of ESSER funding
CLAS believes the Education Trust Fund (ETF) should be protected to ensure adequate funding to provide a quality education for all students. CLAS will fight to ensure any use of ETF funds is for the advancement of public education.
CLAS believes local control is essential for effective school system governance and that the superintendent is the individual best suited to make decisions regarding personnel and any other aspect of the school system’s day-to-day operations.
Russell Senate Office Building Suite 142
Washington, DC 20510 202-224-4124
tuberville.senate.gov
Frank M. Johnson Jr. Annex One Church St., Ste. 500-B Montgomery, AL 36104 334-523-7424
Committees: Armed Services; Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry; Veterans’ Affairs; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Chief of Staff: Mary Blanche Hankey
Communications Director: Ryann DuRant
District 4: Colbert, Cullman, DeKalb, Etowah, Fayette, Franklin, Lamar, Lawrence, Marion, Marshall, Walker and parts of Lauderdale & Tuscaloosa
266 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4876/Fax: 202-225-5587
aderholt.house.gov
247 Carl Elliot Building
1710 Alabama Ave. Jasper, AL 35501
205-221-2310/Fax: 205-221-9035
Committees: Appropriations Chief of Staff: Kerry Knott Press Secretary: Carson Clark
General address to reach all state senators in Montgomery is Alabama Legislature 11 S. Union St. Montgomery, AL 36130
Listed in alphabetical order.
District 1: Baldwin, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe and Washington counties
1330 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4931 carl.house.gov
41 W I-65 Service Rd. Mobile, AL 36608 251-283-6280
Committees: Armed Services, Natural Resources
Chief of Staff: Chad Carlough
Deputy Chief of Staff: Zach Weidlich
District 3: Calhoun, Chambers, Cherokee, Clay, Cleburne, Coosa, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Russell, St. Clair, Talladega, Tallapoosa & parts of Chilton
2469 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-3261 Fax: 202-226-8485
mikerogers.house.gov
149 E. Hamric Dr., Ste. D Oxford, AL 36203
256-236-5655/Fax: 844-635-4276
Committees: Armed Services; Homeland Security
Chief of Staff: Christopher Brinson
Communications Director: Justine Sanders
District 7: Clarke, Choctaw, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry, Pickens, Sumter, Wilcox, and parts of Jefferson, Montgomery and Tuscaloosa
2201 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-2665 / Fax: 202-226-9567
sewell.house.gov
908 Alabama Ave., Fed. Building, Ste. 112
Selma, AL 36701
334-877-4414 Fax: 334-877-4489
Committees: Ways & Means
Chief of Staff: Hillary Beard
Press Secretary: Christopher Kosteva
District 2: Autauga, Barbour, Bullock, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Covington, Crenshaw, Dale, Elmore, Geneva, Henry, Houston, Pike & parts of Montgomery
1504 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
202-225-2901
217 Graceland Dr., Ste. 5 Dothan, AL 36305 Phone: 334-794-9680
Committees: Agriculture, Veterans’ Affairs
Chief of Staff: Shana Teehan
Communications Director: Bradley Jaye
District 5: Jackson, Limestone, Madison, Morgan and parts of Lauderdale
1337 Longworth House Office Building Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4801
strong.house.gov
2101 W. Clinton Ave., Ste. 302 Huntsville, AL 35805 256-551-0190
Chief of Staff: Payne Griffin
District Director: Dylan Smith
District 6: Bibb, Blount, Shelby and parts of Chilton & Jefferson
170 Cannon House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
202-225-4921/Fax: 202-225-2082 palmer.house.gov
3535 Grandview Pkwy., Ste. 525 Birmingham, AL 35243
205-968-1290/Fax: 205-968-1294
Committees: Republican Policy, Energy & Commerce
Chief of Staff: William Smith
Communications Director: Kris Cook
Alabama Congressional Races: Total Amounts Raised
Listed in order of amounts raised
Robert Aderholt (R) $1,522,001
Doug Bell (I) $7,681
Will Boyd (D) $128,406
Katie Britt (R) $11,271,267
Jerry Carl (R) $1,187,763
Johnny Cochran (L) $6,719
Phyllis Harvey-Hall (D) $54,403
Barry Moore (R) $869,822
Rick Neighbors (D) $22,648
Beatrice Nichols (R) $47,729
Gary Palmer (R) $1,202,671
Mike Rogers (R) $2,171,440
Terri Sewell (D) $2,318,405
Jonathan Smith (L) $12,431
Dale Strong (R) $1,920,670
Lin Veasey (D) $9,968
Kathy Warner-Stanton (D) $85,150
Based on Federal Election Commission data available electronically on Dec. 11, 2022
Sources: Center for Responsive Politics, opensecrets.org
GREG ALBRITTON, R 22: Washington, Monroe, Clarke, Baldwin, Escambia
GERALD ALLEN, R 21: Tuscaloosa, Pickens, Lamar Owner, Cashco Marketing
Pensacola Ave., Atmore, AL 36502 galbritton@att.net
PO Box 70007, Tuscaloosa, AL 35407 gerald.allen@alsenate.gov
WILL BARFOOT, R 25: Crenshaw, Elmore, Montgomery Attorney 334-261-0895 11 S. Union St., Ste. 733, Montgomery, AL 36130 will.barfoot@alsenate.gov
BILLY BEASLEY, D 28: Russell, Macon, Bullock, Barbour, Henry, Houston
President, Pratts Station LLC 334-775-7657 334-261-0868 PO Box 606, Clayton, AL 36016 billy.beasley@alsenate.gov
LANCE BELL, R 11: Talladega, St. Clair, Shelby Attorney No phone listed lance.bell@alsenate.gov
TOM BUTLER, R 2: Madison, Limestone Pharmacist 256-539-5441 334-261-0884 PO Box 653, Madison, AL 35758 senbutler@aol.com
JOSH CARNLEY, R 31: Pike, Coffee, Dale, Covington Insurance, farmer No phone listed josh.carnley@alsenate.gov
CLYDE CHAMBLISS JR., R 30: Coosa, Elmore, Tallapoosa, Chilton, Autauga
Principal Engineer, Chambliss Engneering 334-261-0872 clyde.chambliss@alsenate.gov
DONNIE CHESTEEN, R 29: Dale, Geneva, Houston High school coach 334-261-0890 PO Box 39, Geneva, AL 36340 donnie.chesteen@alsenate.gov
MERIKA COLEMAN, D 19: Jefferson Miles College faculty No phone listed merika.coleman@alsenate.gov
LINDA COLEMAN-MADISON, D 20: Jefferson Americans with Disabilities compliance coordinator 205-798-1045 334-261-0864 lcolemanmadison926@yahoo.com
CHRIS ELLIOTT, R 32: Baldwin Small business owner 251-990-4610 334-261-0897 1100 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL 36532 chris.elliott@alsenate.gov
VIVIAN DAVIS FIGURES, D 33: Mobile Advocate for children, health care, education 251-208-5480 334-261-0871 PO Box 7985, Mobile, AL 36670 vivian.figures@alsenate.gov
SAM GIVHAN, R 7: Madison Real estate attorney 256-539-5441 334-261-0867 sam.givhan@alsenate.gov
GARLAN GUDGER
4: Winston, Marion, Laurence, Cullman
KIRK HATCHER, D 26: Montgomery
Owner, Southern Accents Architectural Antiques 334-261-0855 garlan.gudger@alsenate.gov
334-261-9001 PO Box 6213, Montgomery, AL 36106 kirk.hatcher@alsenate.gov
JAY HOVEY, R 27: Tallapoosa, Russell, Lee Banker No phone listed jay.hovey@alsenate.gov
ANDREW JONES, R 10: Cherokee, DeKalb, Etowah
KEITH KELLEY, R 12: Talladega, Calhoun
Farmer, coffee roaster 334-261-0857 andrew.jones@alsenate.gov
Businessperson
STEVE LIVINGSTON, R 8: Madison, Jackson, DeKalb Businessperson
TIM MELSON, R 1: Madison, Limestone, Lauderdale Physician; farmer
No phone listed keith.kelley@alsenate,gov
334-261-0858 PO Box 8, Scottsboro, AL 35768 steve.livingston@alsenate.gov
256-539-5441 334-261-0773 PO Box 550, Florence, AL 35631 tim.melson@alsenate.gov
ARTHUR ORR, R 3: Morgan, Madison, Limestone Attorney, VP at Cook’s Pest Control 256-260-2146 334-261-0758 PO Box 305, Decatur, AL 35602 arthur.orr@alsenate.gov
RANDY PRICE, R 13: Randolph, Lee, Cleburne, Clay, Chambers
GREG REED, R 5: Fayette, Winston, Walker, Tuscaloosa, Jefferson
DAN ROBERTS, R 15: Talladega, Shelby, Jefferson
Business owner, farmer 334-559-0483 334-261-0874
PO Box 429, Opelika, AL 36801 randyprice.sd13@gmail.com
President Pro Tem of Senate 334-261-0894 900 Hwy. 78 E., Ste. 200 #106, Jasper, AL 35502 greg.reed@alsenate.gov
Real estate developer; Realtor 334-261-0851 PO Box 43186, Birmingham, AL 35243 dan.roberts@alsenate.gov
CLAY SCOFIELD, R 9: DeKalb, Marshall, Madison, Blount Farmer 256-582-0619 334-261-0876 412-A Gunter Ave., Guntersville, AL 35976 clay.scofield@alsenate.gov
SESSIONS, R 35: Mobile
SHAY SHELNUTT, R 17: St. Clair, Jefferson, Blount Realtor
BOBBY SINGLETON, D 24: Tuscaloosa, Sumter, Pickens, Marengo, Choctaw, Green, Hale
Consultant
RODGER SMITHERMAN, D 18: Jefferson Attorney
ROBERT STEWART, D 23: Butler, Clarke, Conecuh, Dallas, Lowndes, Marengo, Perry, Washington, Wilcox
LARRY STUTTS, R 6: Marion, Lawrence, Lauderdale, Colbert, Franklin
334-261-0882 104 Lawrence St., Mobile, AL 36602 d.r.sessions@att.net
205-413-9022 334-261-0794 PO Box 120, Trussville, AL 35173 shay.sd17@gmail.com
334-261-0335 bsingle362@gmail.com
205-396-3213 334-261-0870 2029 2nd Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35203 rodger.smitherman@alsenate.gov
Former aide to U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell No phone listed robert.stewart@alsenate.gov
Physician
334-261-0862 1120 S. Jackson Hwy., Ste. 104, Sheffield, AL 35660 larry.stutts@alsenate.gov
J.T. “JABO” WAGGONER, R 16: Shelby, Jefferson Attorney 334-261-0892 PO Box 660609, Vestavia Hills, AL 35266 jabo.waggoner@alsenate.gov
APRIL WEAVER, R 14: Shelby, Chilton, Bibb Former regional director, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
JACK WILLIAMS, R 34: Mobile Farmer
205-620-6610 334-261-0836 PO Box 2050, Alabaster, AL 35007 april.weaver@alsenate.gov
334-261-0829 10095A Wilmer Georgetown Rd., Wilmer, AL 36587 jackwilliams55@icloud.com
teachers have achieved mastery status in LETRS Elementary.
We are improving our ability to collect and analyze data, to identify and target areas in need of improvement, to diagnose learning disabilities like dyslexia and provide specific interventions. These are only a few of the many programs and initiatives that we look forward to embracing and expanding upon in 2023.
We are excited about the future of public education in Alabama as everything from our National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores to our Alabama Comprehensive Assessment Program (ACAP) scores show incremental progress. We thank our teachers and administrators for their continued dedication to improving education in Alabama.
Compiled by NEDRA BLOOM
General address to reach all state representatives in Montgomery is Alabama Legislature 11 S. Union St. Montgomery, AL 36130
BARBARA DRUMMOND, D 103: Mobile
SUSAN DUBOSE, R 45: Shelby, Jefferson
BRETT EASTERBROOK, R 65: Washington, Choctaw, Clarke
Owner, B-Inspired Marketing and Consulting
334-261-0564 1266 Horton Dr., Mobile, AL 36605 drummondbarbara@att.net
First elected 2022 No phone listed susan.dubose@alhouse.gov
First elected 2018
St., Tuscaloosa, AL 35401 cynthia.almond@alhouse.gov
ALAN BAKER, R 66: Baldwin, Escambia Former teacher 334-261-4240 Brewton, AL staterep@co.escambia.al.us
RUSSELL BEDSOLE, R 49: Shelby, Bibb, Chilton Shelby County Sheriff’s captain 334-261-0491 Alabaster, AL russell.bedsole@alhouse.gov
CHRIS BLACKSHEAR, R 80: Russell, Lee
RON BOLTON, R 61: Tuscaloosa, Pickens
BARBARA BOYD, D
NAPOLEON BRACY JR. D
Senior manager, TSYS 334-261-0428 chris.blackshear@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed ron.bolton@alhouse.gov
educator
Mobile Diversity manager, Austal USA
CHIP BROWN, R
MACK BUTLER, R 28: Etowah
PO Box 4085, Anniston, AL 36204 barbara.boyd@alhouse.gov
S. Lawrence St., Mobile, AL 36602 napoleon@napoleonbracy.com
S. Lawrence St., Mobile, AL 36602 chip.brown@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 256-442-4255 3518 Montrose Ave., Rainbow City, AL 35906 mack.butler@alhouse.gov
JIM CARNS, R 48: Shelby, Jefferson Engineer 205-967-3571 334-261-0429 PO Box 43797, Birmingham, AL 35243 jwcarns@gmail.com
PRINCE CHESTNUT, D 67: Dallas, Perry Attorney 334-261-0500 334-261-0598 PO Box 628, Selma, AL 36702 chestnut4house@gmail.com
ADLINE CLARKE, D 97: Mobile Small business owner 251-208-5480p 334-261-0549 PO Box 40748, Mobile, AL 36640 adline.clark@alhouse.gov
STEVE CLOUSE, R 93: Houston, Dale VP, Clouse Marketing 334-774-7384 334-261-0488 PO Box 818, Ozark, AL 36361 steve.clouse@alhouse.gov
DAVID COLE, R 10: Madison Physician No phone listed david.cole@alhouse.gov
TERRI COLLINS, R 8: Morgan Formerly marketing and sales 256-227-0360 334-261-0472 PO Box 21, Decatur, AL 35602 terri@terricollins.org
BROCK COLVIN, R 26: Marshall, DeKalb
DANNY CRAWFORD, R 5: Limestone
First elected 2022 No phone listed brock.colvin@alhouse.gov
Crop insurance contractor 334-261-0516 110 College St., Ste. E-4, Athens, AL 35611 danny.crawford@alhouse.com
ANTHONY DANIELS, D 53: Madison COO, Premier Dental 334-261-0522 anthony.daniels@alhouse.gov
334-261-0402 Fruitdale, AL 36539 brett.easterbrook@yahoo.com
CORLEY ELLIS, R 41: Shelby Owner, Ellis Properties 334-261-0560 PO Box 1177, Columbiana, AL 35051 corley.ellis@alhouse.gov
CHRISTOPHER JOHN ENGLAND, D 70: Tuscaloosa Assistant city attorney, Tuscaloosa
PHILLIP ENSLER, D 74: Montgomery
TRACY ESTES, R 17: Winston, Marion, Lamar
DAVID FAULKNER, R 46: Jefferson
JENNIFER FIDLER, R 94: Baldwin
BOB FINCHER, R 37: Chambers, Cleburne, Randolph
BERRY FORTE, D 84: Randolph, Barbour, Bullock
205-535-4859 334-261-0503
1681 Ozier Dr., Tuscaloosa, AL 35405 cengland1@hotmail.com
First elected 2022 No phone listed No email listed
News editor, Marion Journal Record
First elected 2014
334-261-0434 Winfield, AL 35594 jtracyestes@gmail.com
205-870-9577
334-261-0442
505 N. 20th St., Ste. 1800, Birmingham, AL 35203 david@davidfaulkneral46.com
First elected 2022 No phone listed No email listed
Retired educator 256-449-6149 334-261-0538 11823 County Rd. 59, Woodland, AL 36280 rsfincher77@gmail.com
American Buildings
DANNY GARRETT, R 44: Jefferson CFO, Vulcan Threaded Products
MARK GIDLEY, R 29: Etowah, DeKalb, Calhoun
334-687-9985
334-261-0566
620 Davis Ln., Eufaula, AL 36027 berry.forte@alhouse.gov
334-261-0524 PO Box 531, Trussville, AL 35173 dannygarrett44@gmail.com
First elected 2022 No phone listed mark.gidley@alhouse.gov
JUANDALYNN GIVAN, D 60: Jefferson Owner, Givan & Associates Law Firm
DONNA GIVENS, R 64: Monroe, Baldwin
JEREMY GRAY, D 83: Russell, Lee CEO, Elevate Your Grind
LAURA HALL, D 19: Madison Retired educator
MATTHEW HAMMETT, R 92: Coffee, Covington, Escambia
COREY HARBISON, R 12: Cullman
205-433-6132
334-261-0584 PO Box 13803, Birmingham, AL 35202 juandalynn.givan@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed donna.givens@alhouse.gov
334-261-9505 Opelika, AL 36804 jeremy.gray@alhouse.gov
334-261-0517 256859-2234 PO Box 3367, Huntsville, AL 35810 laura.hall@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed No email listed
First elected 2014
256-385-5510 334-261-0578
PO Box 472, Cullman, AL 35056 corey_harbison@yahoo.com
BEN HARRISON, R 2: Limestone, Lauderdale Former Limestone County commissioner No phone listed ben.harrison@alhouse.gov
KENYATTE HASSELL, D 78: Montgomery Urban director, Young Life; Heritage Barbershop manager 334-834-8494 334-261-0506 1200 Hugh St., Montgomery, AL 36108 ken.hassell@alhouse.gov
JIM HILL, R 50: St. Clair
FRANCES HOLK-JONES, R 95: Baldwin
First elected 2014 205-629-5325 334-261-0494 PO Box 310, Moody, AL 35004 jimhill@stclairlawgroup.com
First elected 2022 No phone listed No email listed
ROLANDA HOLLIS, D 58: Jefferson Real estate broker 334-261-9520 Birmingham, AL rolanda.hollis@alhouse.gov
LEIGH HULSEY, R 15: Jefferson, Shelby
STEVE HURST, R 35: Calhoun, Clay, Talladega
REED INGRAM, R 75: Elmore, Montgomery
THOMAS E. JACKSON, D 68: Clarke, Conecuh, Monroe, Marengo
First elected 2022 No phone listed leigh.hulsey@alhouse.gov
Businessperson 256-761-1935 334-261-0415 155 Quail Run Rd., Munford, AL 36268 steve.hurst@alhouse.gov
Former Montgomery County commissioner 334-261-0507 2900 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36116 reedingram75@gmail.com
Upward Bound director at Alabama Southern College 334-636-8119 334-261-0437 PO Box 636, Thomasville, AL 36784 jthomase69@gmail.com
SAM JONES, D 99: Mobile Former Mayor of Mobile 334-261-0963 Mobile, AL 36640 sam.jones@alhouse.gov
JAMIE KIEL, R 18: Colbert, Lauderdale, Franklin
MIKE KIRKLAND, R 23: Jackson, DeKalb
Owner, Kiel Equipment 334-261-0521 Russellville, AL 35653 jamie.kiel@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed mike.kirkland@alhouse.gov
WES KITCHENS, R 27: Marshall, DeKalb, Blount Insurance agent 256-582-0619 334-261-0539 412-A Gunter Ave., Guntersville, AL 35976 weskitchens@mclo.org
BILL LAMB, R 62: Tuscaloosa Former Tuscaloosa County CFO No phone listed bill.lamb@alhouse.gov
KELVIN LAWRENCE, D 69: Wilcox, Lowndes, Autauga, Montgomery
NATHANIEL LEDBETTER, R 24: DeKalb
PAUL W. LEE, R 86: Houston
CRAIG LIPSCOMB, R 30: St. Clair, Etowah
JAMES LOMAX, R 20: Madison
JOE LOVVORN, R 79: Lee
RHETT MARQUES, R 91: Coffee
First elected 2014 334-548-6125 334-261-0536 50 Miller Cir., Hayneville, AL 36040 kelvinj73@gmail.com
First elected 2014 334-261-9506 PO Box 725, Rainsville, AL 35986 nathaniel.ledbetter@alhouse.gov
Director, Wiregrass Rehab Center 334-792-9682 334-261-0488 304 Ashborough Cir., Dothan, AL 36301 plee@wrcjobs.com
Architect 334-261-0546 Gadsden, AL 35902 craig.lipscomb@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed james.lomax@alhouse.gov
Firefighter, small business owner
334-261-0540 Auburn, AL 36830 joe.lovvorn@alhouse.gov
Small business owner 334-261-0473 Enterprise, AL 36330 rhettwmarques@gmail.com
ARTIS “AJ” MCCAMPBELL, D 71: Tuscaloosa, Sumter, Marengo, Greene Insurance
205-652-6531 334-261-0547 PO Box 1469, Livingston, AL 35470 aj.mccampbell@alhouse.gov
REPRESENTATIVE/PARTY/ DISTRICT BIOGRAPHICAL
PATRICE “PENNI” MCCLAMMY, D 76: Montgomery Attorney
ARNOLD MOONEY, R 43: Shelby
First elected 2014
MARY MOORE, D 59: Jefferson Retired medical technologist
PARKER MOORE, R 4: Morgan, Limestone Marketing, Encore Rehabilitiation
TASHINA MORRIS, D 77: Montgomery Nonprofit director
ED OLIVER, R 81: Tallapoosa, Coosa, Chilton
MARCUS PARAMORE, R 89: Pike, Dale
Former military pilot
First elected 2022
334-261-0580 PO Box 251624, Montgomery, AL 36125 patrice.mcclammy@alhouse.gov
205-620-6610
334-261-9512 PO Box 382466, Birmingham, AL 35238 arnoldmooney@alhouse.gov
205-229-9966
334-261-0508 1622 36th Ave. N., Birmingham, AL 35207 mamoore48@bellsouth.net
334-261-0579 Decatur, AL 35601 parker.moore@alhouse.gov
334-261-0597 PO Box 4122, Montgomery, AL 36103 tashinamorris1@yahoo.com
334-803-1889 334-261-0471 PO Box 277, Dadeville, AL 36853 ed.oliver@alhouse.gov
No phone listed No email listed
KENNETH PASCHAL, R 73: Shelby Retired military 205-626-9458 334-261-0469 1134 County Services Dr., Pelham, AL 35124 kenneth.paschal@alhouse.gov
PHILLIP PETTUS, R 1: Lauderdale Retired Alabama State Trooper 256-757-6679 334-261-0591 771 County Rd. 144, Killen, AL 35645 phillip.pettus@alhouse.gov
FRED “COACH” PLUMP, D 55: Jefferson
First elected 2022 No phone listed fred.plump@alhouse.gov
CHRIS PRINGLE, R 101: Mobile Realtor, builder 251-341-1110 334-261-0489 4 Princess Anne Rd., Mobile, AL 36608 chris.pringle@alhouse.gov
NEIL RAFFERTY, D 54: Jefferson Former Marine, health care advocate
RICK REHM, R 85: Houston, Henry
334-261-0543 PO Box 321579, Birmingham, ALv35232 reprafferty@gmail.com
First elected 2022 No phone listed No email listed
REX REYNOLDS, R 21: Madison Former Huntsville police chief 256-539-5441 334-261-0571 rex.reynolds@alhouse.gov
PHILLIP RIGSBY, R 25: Madison, Limestone
First elected 2022 256-539-5441 726 Madison St., Huntsville, AL 35801 phillip.rigsby@alhouse.gov
BEN ROBBINS, R 33: Clay, Coosa, Talladega Attorney 334-261-0477 ben.robbins@alhouse.gov
CHAD ROBERTSON, R 40: Calhoun
First elected 2022 No phone listed chad.robertson@alhouse.gov
JOHN W. ROGERS JR., D 52: Jefferson President, Rogers & Rogers 205-925-3522 334-261-0387 1424 18th St. SW, Birmingham, AL 35211 jwrogers@uab.edu
PATRICK SELLERS, D 57: Jefferson
CHRIS SELLS, R 90: Montgomery, Butler, Coffee, Conecuh, Crenshaw
First elected 2022 No phone listed patrick.sellers@alhouse.gov
Owner, Sells Medical Equipment
334-371-9304 334-261-0568 1609 E. Commerce St., Greenville, AL 36037 csea@centurytel.net
GINNY SHAVER, R 39: DeKalb, Calhoun, Cherokee, Cleburne Municipal government 334-261-0413 Leesburg, AL 35983 ginny.shaver@alhouse.gov
MIKE SHAW, R 47: Jefferson First elected 2022 No phone listed mike.shaw@alhouse.gov
RANDALL SHEDD, R 11: Morgan, Cullman, Blount, Marshall Retired director, Cullman County Commission on Aging 256-531-6641 334-261-0530 PO Box 345, Baileyton, AL 35019 randall.shedd@alhouse.gov
MARK SHIREY, R 100: Mobile Optometrist No phone listed No email listed
MATT SIMPSON, R 96: Baldwin, Mobile Attorney, county attorneys office
IVAN SMITH, R 42: Autauga, Chilton Teacher, farmer
JEFF SORRELLS, R 87: Houston, Geneva
KYLE SOUTH, R 16: Jefferson, Tuscaloosa, Lamar, Fayette
SCOTT STADTHAGEN, R 9: Morgan, Cullman, Marshall
DAVID STANDRIDGE, R 34: Blount, Marshall
JERRY STARNES, R 88: Elmore, Autauga
Former mayor of Hartford
General manager, West Alabama TV Cable
Onwer, Hagen Homes Inc.
Former law enforcement and probate judge
334-261-0424 PO Box 1791, Daphne, AL 36526 MattSimpsonAL96@gmail.com
334-261-0459 ivan.smith@alhouse.gov
334-261-0542 Hartford, AL 36344 jeffs@fnbhartford.com
205-932-4700 ext 101 334-261-0482
ANDY WHITT, R 6: Madison, Limestone Banker
RICHIE WHORTON, R 22: Madison, Jackson Businessperson, All Star Pools
MARGIE WILCOX, R 104: Mobile
334-261-0404 Harvest, AL 35749 andy.whitt@alhouse.gov
256-218-3090
334-261-0553
First elected 2014
100 E. Peachtree St., Scottsboro, AL 35768 richiewhorton@gmail.com
334-261-0577 2101 Marchfield Dr. E., Mobile, AL 36693 margie.wilcox@alhouse.gov
DEBBIE HAMBY WOOD, R 38: Lee, Chambers Real estate broker 334-261-0532 Valley, AL 36854 debbie.wood@alhouse.gov
RANDY WOOD, R 36: St. Clair, Calhoun, Talladega Owner, Wood’s Auto Body Shop 334-261-0552 P.O. Box 4432, Anniston, AL 36204 strep36@gmail.com
MATT WOODS, R 13: Walker, Blount First elected 2022 No phone listed matt.woods@alhouse.gov
ERNIE YARBROUGH, R 7: Talladega, St. Clair, Shelby Engineer No phone listed ernie.yarbrough@alhouse.gov
PO Box 65, Fayette, AL 35555 RepSouth16@gmail.com
334-261-0436 Hartselle, AL 35640 scott.stadthagen@alhouse.gov
205-543-0647
332-261-0446 PO Box 76, Hayden, AL 35079 david.standridge@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed No email listed
SHANE STRINGER, R 102: Mobile Police chief, Satsuma 334-261-0594 shane.stringer@alhouse.gov
TROY STUBBS, R 31: Elmore
ONTARIO TILLMAN, D 56: Jefferson
CURTIS TRAVIS, D 72: Perry, Marengo, Hale, Bibb, Greene
ALLEN TREADAWAY, R 51: Jefferson
KERRY UNDERWOOD, R 3: Colbert, Lauderdale, Lawrence
Small business owner No phone listed troy.stubbs@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed ontario.tillman@alhouse.gov
First elected 2022 No phone listed No email listed
Police captain, City of Birmingham 205-254-1700 334-261-0585 PO Box 126, Morris, AL 35116 allen.treadaway@alhouse.gov
Retired law enforcement No phone listed kerry.underwood@alhouse.gov
TIMOTHY WADSWORTH, R 14: Winston, Walker, Jefferson Attorney, CPA 205-300-4008 334-261-0554 11754 Helicon Rd., Arley, AL 35541 wadsworth.tim654321@gmail.com
PEBBLIN WALKER WARREN, D 82: Tallapoosa, Macon, Lee
First elected 2005 334-727-9127 334-261-0541 PO Box 1328, Tuskegee Institute, AL 36087 tiger9127@bellsouth.net
BlueStreak Math
BlueStreak Math is an adaptive real-time, multi-player gaming environment of fluency lessons students build the capacity for higher-level mathematics through continuous motivation, coaching, and feedback.”
Jan Letts
(630) 915-3171
jan@bluestreakmath.com Bluestreakmath.com
Camp Explore for Educators, LLC
Camp Explore is designed for educators to experience research-based, instructional strategies for high engagement, while focusing on mental fitness and wellness.
Jennibelle Williams
(614) 824-7949
jennibelle@campexploreinfo.com www.campexploreinfo.com
33HelpME
Panic Alert Button -- The NEXT STEP in school safety America’s Favorite, Fastest and Easiest way to call for HELP in classrooms.
Barry Peterson (813) 822-0045 info@33systems.net www.33helpme.com
ACCESS Virtual Learning
ACCESS Virtual Learning is the distant education program for the State of Alabama. ACCESS provides infrastructure that delivers equitable, quality learning opportunities for all students.
Casey Mack (334) 808-6323 adent@troy.edu www.accessdl.state.al.us
AIG Retirement Services
Financial Planning and Retirement Services
Mark Briones (205) 967-8974 andrea.zari@aig.com www.aigrs.com
Alabama Music Hall of Fame Museum
Haley Schrieber 256-381-4417 hschrieber@alamhof.org www.alamhof.org
American Fidelity Assurance
Since 1960, American Fidelity has focused on providing a different opinion for school districts and currently serves 4,300 districts across the country. 205-847-2762 john.cole@americanfidelity.com www.americanfidelity.com
Apptegy
Apptegy simplifies and improves schools’ communications and helps you change how the public thinks and feels about your school.
Samantha Bentley (501) 472-5636 samantha.bentley@apptegy.com apptegy.com
Aunt Flow
Toilet paper is offered for free. Why aren’t tampons and pads?
Alexis Deeb (518) 522-9423
alexis@goauntflow.com goauntflow.com
Background Investigation Bureau
We Help You Create Safer Environments with Background Checks, Drug Testing and Occupation Health Services.
Jennifer Drake (877) 439-3900
jdrake@bib.com www.bib.com
Bailey Education Group, LLC
Bailey Education Group is committed to partnering with all schools and districts to improve the lives of all children through customized PD and teacher coaching.
Pat Ross (601) 707-5778
info@baileyarch.com baileyeducationgroup.com
BBB Educational Enterprises, Inc.
BBB is a leading educational professional development as well as instructional material provider in the state of Alabama supporting literacy and mathematics.
Brian Rhodes (205) 529-6925
brian.rhodes@bbbedu.com https://bbbedu.com/
Bill Miller Photographers
We provide full-service photographic solutions for your school. Other services include cap and gown, composites, ID badges, yearbooks and so much more.
Bill Miller 800-523-5960
50ddockery@gmail.com www.billmillerphotographers.com
Campus Benefits
Campus Benefits is a full-service employee benefits brokerage/consulting and compliance firm serving public school districts across the southeast focused on delivering innovative products and services.
(866) 433-7661
jtupper@campusbenefits.com www.campusbenefits.com
CardFunder
CardFunder is an innovative and easy fundraising platform that allows schools to accept unused or partially used gift cards and turn them into cash donations.
Russ Howard (404) 433-7834
russ@cardfunder.com www.cardfunder.com
Carnegie Learning
With the highest-quality offerings for K-12 math, ELA, world languages, professional learning, and more, Carnegie Learning is changing the way we think about learning.
Amanda Creswell 888-851-7094 acreswell@carnegielearning.com carnegielearning.com
Changemaker
Fundraising platform for schools where you can donate your digital spare change to the school of your choice.
Jake Lacy (404) 660-6741 kathryn@hellodonor.com www.joinchangemaker.com
Classworks
Classworks is a cloud-based, comprehensive RTI/MTSS program that includes assessment, instruction, progress monitoring, SEL and PBIS resources, and reporting.
David Constantine 251-545-9903
dconstantine@classworks.com https://www.curriculumadvantage.com/classworks
Cognia
We are a global network featuring a continuous improvement approach that encompasses accreditation and certification, assessment, professional learning, and customized improvement services.
Jeff Wooten and Jeff Langham (334) 201-5763 jeff.langham@cognia.org cognia.org
Curriculum Associates
Curriculum Associates, LLC designs research-based print and online instructional materials, screens and assessments, and data management tools.
Kelly-Ann Parson 205-949-7744 kparson@cainc.com www.curriculumassociates.com
DreamBox Learning uniquely provides schools highquality adaptive math and reading learning solutions independently proven to accelerate student growth. For more information, visit www.dreambox.com.
Tevin Jones (187) 745-1784 events@dreambox.com https://www.dreambox.com/
We provide strategic and developmental consulting services to educational, non-profit and governmental organizations. Our service umbrellas include strategic planning, leadership solutions, funding solutions, and executive searches.
Darrell Cooper (334) 209-8050 info@e3strategicsolutions.com www.e3strategicsolutions.com
Edmentum
K-12 digital curriculum, assessments, & instructional services
Cynthia Chancery (800) 447-5286 nikeisha.nickels@edmentum.com www.edmentum.com
Innovation and transformation coaching-activating communities to spark meaningful change through teacher-centered, job-embedded support.
Julie Emory-Johnson (205) 835-1508 jjohnson@educatellc.com www.educatellc.com
Assessment and Intervention Software
Aubrey Corley (601) 624-5051 holly@edmat.com www.edmat.com
Essential water delivery products, hands-free faucets, bottle water stations.
William Cone (205) 324-0669 billcone@vcmsales.com http://vcmsales.com/
Firelight Materials
We provide strategic and developmental consulting services to educational nonprofit, and governmental organizations. Our specialty areas include strategic planning, leadership solutions, and funding solutions.
DeeDee Holmes (225) 933-1627 holmes.deedee@gmail.com Firelightbooks.com
FlexPoint Education Cloud (Florida Virtual School)
FlexPoint Educational Cloud™ is an internationally recognized, full-service Kindergarten-12th grade online education leader that delivers comprehensive and effective digital courses to schools and districts worldwide.
Biff McCabe (407) 212-1670 bmccabe@flexpointeducation.com www.FlexPointEducation.com
FOCUS Program
FOCUS empowers students in Grades 7-12 to successfully lead the prevention of adolescent risk behaviors through skills-based learning.
Sue Jones (256) 453-0655 sjones@thefocusprogram.com thefocusprogram.com
Fun and Function
Discover our ActiveMind Program for K-12 educators! Classroom tools, sensory spaces and interactive training support your goals. Ask about our special offer for CLAS @FunandFunction.com
Golda Itzinger (800) 231-6329
zhirsch@funandfunction.com Funandfunction.com
Great Southern Recreation
We design, sell and build commercial playgrounds, splashpads, site amenities, pavilions and sunshades.
Abby Vance (800) 390-8438 info@greatsouthernrec.com greatsouthernrec.com
Horace Mann Companies
Founded in 1945, Horace Mann offers affordable auto and home insurance, as well as retirement strategies and financial wellness education.
Amber Ash (512) 808-3208 amber.ash@horacemann.com horacemann.com
Imagine Learning a PreK–12 digital learning solutions company that ignites learning breakthroughs with forward-thinking solutions, including Imagine Edgenuity, Imagine Learning, LearnZillion, StudySync, and Twig Education.
Steve Santora (404) 808-7782
tracey.milhouse@imaginelearning.com www.imaginelearning.com
Interior Elements
School Furniture Supplier with on staff interior designers that can redesign any of your classroom, library, cafe, etc spaces to enhance the overall learning environment.
Dan Chappell 334-332-9708
dc@in-elements.com
www.in-elements.com
IXL Learning
IXL is personalized learning. With a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance, and real-time analytics, IXL meets the unique needs of each learner.
David Mickelsen (256) 566-5545 phaldeman@ixl.com
www.IXL.com
Jumpstart Test Prep
Jumpstart’s unique preparation approach was crafted by experts and designed to empower students to gain the most improvement in the least amount of review time.
Sha Walker (833) 835-8329
hannah@jumpstarttestprep.com jumpstarttestprep.com
Kelly Education
Kelly Education is the number one (1) provider of substitute teachers for school districts in Alabama and across the United States.
Jason Yohn (334) 614-5078
jason.yohn@kellyservices.com
www.kellyeducation.com
Kids First Education
Greg Cobb 601-765-5437 gregcobb@kidsfirst.llc
Kloud-12
Kloud-12 is 360 HD classroom video, perfected. Hybrid, distance, or traditional, teachers can do it all with a single camera device. Observe, reflect, and improve. Melissa Mastrofrancesco (888) 498-8416
Melissa@kloud-12.com
www.Kloud-12.com
Illuminate Education
Illuminate Education combines comprehensive assessment and MTSS management to monitor learning and growth, identify needs, align targeted supports, and accelerate learning for all students.
Geb Bul (949) 656-3133 jrowley@illuminateed.net www.illuminateed.com
This extraordinary three-day event features content to inspire and guide leaders in their quest to improve school and district performance. Expand your professional growth with strategies to take your career, school and students to the next level. You will not want to miss Alabama’s largest professional learning gathering for school and district administrators!