Montgomery, Ala. – At its mandatory annual K-12 meeting today, the Alabama State Board of Education elected Randy McKinney as Vice President and Gary Warren as President Pro Tem. McKinney, who represents District 1, presides over state school board meetings in the event the governor, who serves as president, is absent. Warren, who represents District 7, presides in the event both the governor and vice president are absent. Current term for both expires in 2013.
“Mr. McKinney and Mr. Warren are outstanding leaders on this board,” said State Superintendent of Education Dr. Joe Morton, who serves as board secretary. “They are strong advocates for public education and are dedicated to improving the lives of Alabama’s schoolchildren.”
In a special called meeting by Gov. Robert Bentley, the State Board of Education appointed General Counsel Larry Craven as Interim State Superintendent of Education, effective September 1. Current State Superintendent Joe Morton plans to retire August 31.
“I am honored by the board’s confidence in me,” said Craven. “I will do my best to move the process forward to fill the shoes of Dr. Joe Morton.” Craven joined the Alabama Department of Education in 1997 and became General Counsel in 2007.
The board established qualifications for the permanent position of state superintendent, including that the interim superintendent cannot apply for state superintendent. Other qualifications for the next state superintendent include:
· Knowledge of educational policy development and implementation in a large scale system
· Proven skills in working effectively with political leaders at the state level
· Experience in working with elected or appointed educational boards
· Practice in working with educational professionals, organizations and other stakeholders
· Familiarity with the implementation of federal and state educational legislation
· Experience in leadership and management of a large institution
· Demonstrated commitment to serving a diverse student population and employing a diverse staff
· Experience in administering large budgets
· Earned doctorate from an accredited academic institution
· Hold or be eligible to hold an Alabama certificate in administration or supervision
The board voted on a negotiable salary range of $150,000-250,000. The board also voted to contract with the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) to conduct a national search, but the entire state board will act as the search committee reviewing candidates and making the final selection for state superintendent. NASBE will meet with state board at its next K-12 meeting on August 1.
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