State Board Appoints New Deputy Superintendent
 At Thursday's regular K-12 meeting, the state Board of Education welcomed the leader chosen to replace deputy state superintendent Dr. Ruth Ash, who retired March 31.
Alexander City Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice said he is excited to be the state Department of Education's new deputy superintendent of education for instructional services. The state Board of Education unanimously accepted state Superintendent Dr. Joe Morton's recommendation to appoint Bice, who begins his duties June 1.
Bice has served Alabama public schools as a teacher, psychometrist, regional director for Alabama Institute for the Deaf and Blind, adjunct professor, career and technical education director, principal and superintendent. He is legislative chair and president-elect of the School Superintendents of Alabama and serves on the Standards Committee for the Governor's Congress on School Leadership.
"We are very fortunate to have an educator of Dr. Bice's caliber," said Morton. "His strengths and expertise, along with our dedicated staff, will help us continue to focus our efforts on improving the overall quality of K-12 education in Alabama."
In other business, the board honored the Tuscaloosa City Board of Education as a 2008 winner of the National Civic Star Award for its pre-kindergarten program and approved a resolution in recognition of April 21-25 as Public School Week.
The state Board of Education is expected to have its final discussion about a proposed revision of Alabama High School Graduation requirements at its April 24 work session at 10:30 a.m. CST at Spain Park High School in Hoover. The board will likely vote May 8 on the revisions, which include making the advanced academic endorsement diploma the default diploma with an opt-out measure and replacing the adult alternate diploma (for eligible GED students) with a credit-based diploma that requires students to pass the reading, math and one other component of the five-section graduation exam.
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AASB Offers Workshops in Birmingham April 18 and in Montgomery April 21
AASB presents two information-packed seminars: a 10 a.m.-noon session on What Every Education Leader & Administrator Should Know About Sexual Harassment, featuring veteran school board attorney Mark Boardman, and a 1-3 p.m. session on Personnel Issues in Tight Financial Times, featuring veteran school board attorney J. R. Brooks, as well as state Department of Education finance officials Craig Pouncey and Dr. Becky Lee. Attend one seminar or both April 18 at The Wynfrey Hotel near Birmingham or April 21 at the Embassy Suites in Montgomery.
These workshops are intended for school board members, board presidents, human resource personnel, superintendents, principals and school board attorneys. Special pricing is available for AASB member school boards, their employees and attorneys.
Pay just $95 per person for the morning session, which includes lunch, and just $75 per person for the afternoon session, including materials and break. Sign up for both and save $5. For the non-member price or to register for the workshops, visit Conference Information or call 800/562-0601.
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Submit Proposed Resolutions for Delegate Assembly by Aug. 15
School board members who wish to propose a resolution for consideration by AASB's Delegate Assembly in December should submit their proposals in writing by Friday, Aug. 15. Send submissions to AASB at (334) 270-0000, fax; P.O. Box 230488, Montgomery, AL 36123-0488; or e-mail showell@alabamaschoolboards.org.
Resolutions approved by the Delegate Assembly at AASB's annual convention set the association's goals and positions on major education issues.
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Ethics Seminar for Public Officials May 12
In an effort to inform and educate state public officials and employees, the Ethics Commission is offering its semi-annual ethics seminar May 12 from 9:15 a.m. to 11 a.m. at no cost, though seating is limited. To reserve a place, call 334/242-2997. Supervisors are asked to encourage their employees to attend to ensure they understand Alabama Ethics Law. Organizers remind public officials that ignorance of the law is NOT a viable defense. The Ethics Commission's seminars also travel to local areas with at least 25 attendees.
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