Our #YesOn1 Campaign
Introduction
On Feb. 20, 2024, during the 2024 Session of the Alabama State Legislature, Senator Lance Bell (R-Pell City) introduced SB-141, a bill that would resolve the long-standing representation issues for both the Pell City School System and the St. Clair County School System.
The bill passed unanimously in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. It was then signed by Governor Kay Ivey on April 23, 2024, at which time it was enrolled as Alabama Act 2024-111 and placed on the November ballot for St. Clair County voters as Local Amendment 1 aka “Amendment 1”.
Senator Lance Bell
(R-Pell City)
analysis
Approximately 53 percent of the students who attend Pell City Schools live outside the City Limits of Pell City. Since its formation in 1982, these residents have never had voting representation on the Pell City Board of Education.
Residents of the Pell City Attendance Zone voted to approve a property tax increase in 2022. These residents now pay property tax directly to Pell City Schools. Prior to the vote, the Board of Education promised representation to these residents.
For many years, the County Board has requested that residents of the Pell City Attendance Zone be given representation in Pell City – where their children attend school – and be excluded from voting in County School elections.
The approximately 14,000 residents of the Pell City Attendance Zone who live outside City Limits cannot attend county schools, yet they are tasked with electing the Superintendent and Board of Education Members for SCCS.
The approximately 14,000 residents of the Pell City Attendance Zone who live outside City Limits cannot attend county schools, yet they are tasked with electing the Superintendent and Board of Education Members for SCCS.
Changes for St. Clair County Schools
Amendment 1 sets out that St. Clair residents who live in the county portion of the Pell City Schools Attendance Zone can no longer impact elections for the Superintendent and Board of Education for St. Clair County Schools. Only those who live in the St. Clair County School District will be eligible to vote in their elections.
The area in BLUE represents the population whose children attend Pell City Schools but are able to vote in St. Clair County Schools elections.
The area in RED represents the population that selects the Board of Education for the Pell City School System.
The area in GREY represents the population that is represented by the St. Clair County Board of Education.
Changes for Pell City Schools
Amendment 1 provides for the process of returning the Pell City Board of Education to an appointed board, as it was originally established. Most importantly: ALL residents of the Pell City Schools Attendance Zone will be eligible to serve on the Board of Education. Additionally, it requires that at least two members be appointed from the county portion of the Attendance Zone.
These changes will finally give voting representation to those who have been financially supporting and sending their children to the Pell City School System for decades.
Pell City Board of Education Central Office
Appointed Board Data
The Pell City Board of Education engaged the Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham to review and recommend a solution for fair representation for the Attendance Zone. RPC recommended an appointed Board of Education.
The Regional Planning Commission of Greater Birmingham (RPC) is a long-standing organization (founded in 1963) with a proven track record of helping municipalities in the region thrive.
In 2023, 12 Alabama systems had all schools earn an “A” on their State Report Cards. 10 are governed by appointed Boards of Education (Alabama State Department of Education, alphabetical)
1. Arab City
2. Cullman City
3. Gulf Shores City
4. Hartselle City
5. Homewood City
6. Madison City
7. Mountain Brook City
8. Piedmont City
9. Satsuma City
10. Trussville City
11. Vestavia Hills City
12. Winfield City
9 of the top-10 public high schools in Alabama are governed by appointed Boards of Education (U.S. News & World Report)
Homewood, Mountain Brook, Vestavia, James Clemens, Spain Park, Hewitt-Trussville, Oak Mountain, Hoover, Bob Jones, & Arab
Ballot Language
The Amendment will read as follows on ballots in St. Clair County
“Relating to St. Clair County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to specify that only the qualified electors of St. Clair County who are served by the St. Clair County Board of Education may vote for the county superintendent of education and the members of the county board of education; to change the Pell City Board of Education from an elected to an appointed board; to specify that the appointed members of the Pell City Board of Education shall be qualified electors who reside within the Pell City School Attendance Zone and Tax District; and to specify that at least two members of the Pell City Board of Education shall reside within the county portion of the Pell City School Attendance Zone and Tax District.”
Proposed by Act 2024-111.
Yes ( ) No ( )
“Relating to St. Clair County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to specify that only the qualified electors of St. Clair County who are served by the St. Clair County Board of Education may vote for the county superintendent of education and the members of the county board of education; to change the Pell City Board of Education from an elected to an appointed board; to specify that the appointed members of the Pell City Board of Education shall be qualified electors who reside within the Pell City School Attendance Zone and Tax District; and to specify that at least two members of the Pell City Board of Education shall reside within the county portion of the Pell City School Attendance Zone and Tax District.”
Proposed by Act 2024-111.
Yes ( ) No ( )
“Relating to St. Clair County, proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to specify that only the qualified electors of St. Clair County who are served by the St. Clair County Board of Education may vote for the county superintendent of education and the members of the county board of education; to change the Pell City Board of Education from an elected to an appointed board; to specify that the appointed members of the Pell City Board of Education shall be qualified electors who reside within the Pell City School Attendance Zone and Tax District; and to specify that at least two members of the Pell City Board of Education shall reside within the county portion of the Pell City School Attendance Zone and Tax District.”
Proposed by Act 2024-111.
Yes ( ) No ( )
Appearing on the General Election Ballot In St. Clair County,
November 5, 2024
Endorsement
As an organization that prioritizes proper governance, Friends of St. Clair is dedicated to keeping the public informed on all relevant issues concerning this county.
As Election Day 2024 quickly approaches, we felt an urgent need to speak-out on Local Amendment 1 due to the significant impact this legislation has on the fairness of our electoral selection process and the quality of our local education systems.
Having reviewed the legislative text and after much deliberation, Friends of St. Clair PAC is proud to ENDORSE Amendment 1 and launch our #YesOn1 Campaign!
How can you help? Spread the word with your St. Clair County friends and help bring fairness back to our local elections!
Interested in joining our movement?
For more information, send us an email at: info@friendsofstclair.org
Help make a difference in St. Clair County, today!
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For inquiries regarding our endorsement of Amendment 1, please contact Friends of St. Clair at info@friendsofstclair.org