Across the Board January: Key Takeaways from the ALBOE Board Meeting and Retreat

Recapping important State Board of Education policy decisions for you

Here are our key takeaways from the January 8th and 9th State Board of Education board meeting, work session, and biannual retreat. The two-day event was held at the University of South Alabama Faculty Club and Baldwin Academy. All members of the board were present. Click here to see the agenda for the full meeting and work session.

Top 4 Takeaways

1.Top 25 schools & most improved schools announced

Top 25 by Performance:

• EPIC Alternative Elementary School, Birmingham City
• Benjamin Davis Elementary School, Decatur City
• Leon Sheffield Magnet Elementary School, Decatur City
• Eura Brown Elementary School, Gadsden City
• Edgewood Elementary School, Homewood City
• Brock’s Gap Intermediate School, Hoover City
• Deer Valley Elementary School, Hoover City
• South Shades Crest Elementary School, Hoover City
• Hampton Cove Elementary School, Huntsville City
• Monte Sano Elementary School, Huntsville City
• Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, Mobile County
• Eichold-Mertz School of Math and Science, Mobile County
• Old Shell Road Magnet School, Mobile County
• W H Council Traditional School, Montgomery County
• Bear Exploration Center, Montgomery County
• Forest Avenue Elementary School, Montgomery County
• Loveless Academic Magnet Program High School, Montgomery County
• Brookwood Forest Elementary School, Mountain Brook City
• Cherokee Bend Elementary School, Mountain Brook City
• Crestline Elementary School, Mountain Brook City
• Mountain Brook Elementary School, Mountain Brook City
• Orange Beach Elementary School, Orange Beach City
• Tuscaloosa Magnet School – Elementary, Tuscaloosa City
• Vestavia Hills Elementary East, Vestavia Hills City
• Vestavia Hills Elementary West, Vestavia Hills City

Top 25 Most Improved:

• BCS Virtual Academy of Learning, Birmingham City
• Huffman Academy, Birmingham City
• Norwood Elementary School, Birmingham City
• Robinson Elementary School, Birmingham City
• Wenonah High School, Birmingham City
• Greenville High School, Butler County
• Cherokee County High School, Cherokee County
• Southern Choctaw Elementary School, Choctaw County
• Ranburne High School, Cleburne County
• Hanceville Elementary School, Cullman County
• Austinville Elementary School, Decatur City
• Oak Park Elementary School, Decatur City
• Walnut Park Elementary School, Gadsden City
• Greensboro Elementary School, Hale County
• Haleyville High School, Haleyville City
• Chapman Middle School, Huntsville City
• Montview Elementary School, Huntsville City
• LEAD Academy Building A – PK – 4
• Beulah Elementary School, Lee County
• Sanford Middle School, Lee County
• Highland Gardens Elementary School, Montgomery County
• Morris Elementary School, Montgomery County
• Wedowee Elementary School, Randolph County
• Clark Elementary School, Selma City
• Oakdale Elementary School, Tuscaloosa City

2. Upcoming Legislation

During the retreat, Dr. Mackey shared some updates on bills that the legislature will consider for the upcoming session, which starts on Tuesday, January 13. The board discussed four topics that would impact Alabama schools and students.

The board discussed the RAISE Act Fund and the additional funding that will be available to school districts in FY27. The RAISE Act, which was signed into law in 2025, introduced a hybrid funding formula for Alabama’s K-12 public education system, enhancing the existing Foundation Program to target student needs, such as special education, poverty, and English language learners. For FY26, which supported the 2025-2026 school year, the RAISE Act directed $166 million to districts to support students. This year, the RAISE Act allocation will likely increase to $183 million. To read more about the RAISE Act, check out last year’s Budget Watch, last year’s funding by district, and our summary. 

Next, the board discussed a prefiled bill that would limit screen time for students in preschool, kindergarten, and first grade. The bill, introduced by Representative Jeana Ross, would require the Department of Early Childhood to create guidelines and restrictions on screen time for children, and define “high-quality programming”. The board felt that this bill was a natural extension of the FOCUS Act, which prohibits cell phones in public school settings for the health and wellbeing of students and their academic achievement. Dr. Mackey shared that he supports this legislation, and the board discussed questions about the research surrounding this shift away from technology. The prefiled bill language can be found here.

While legislation has not been prefiled on this topic, the board discussed challenges Career and Technical Education programs are facing across the state. Concerns mainly surround qualifications, certifications, and compensation for professionals who are experts in their technical fields but were not trained to be educators. The board brought up how schools are competing for qualified technical teachers with the private sector, and the private sector can compensate experts more for their time and skills. The board considered whether or not field experts should need teaching credentials in addition to background checks, or just the latter for the safety of students. 

Finally, the board discussed the CHOOSE Act, its potential impacts on the FY27 budget, income caps, and accountability. The board considered what might happen if families opt into CHOOSE, enroll in a private school that requires tuition up front, and then choose to leave that private school before the year ends. The board also began to discuss quality assurance measures for homeschool or vendor-based education programs that families may choose for their students, funded by CHOOSE, and whether those options are rigorous and beneficial for students. Dr. Mackey shared that while these considerations are important, we likely will not see changes to the CHOOSE Act introduced this legislative session because we are only in the second year of the program, and all legislators are up for reelection this year.

3. Site Visits and District Updates

During the retreat, the board spent time at the University of South Alabama, The Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies, and Baldwin Prep Academy. At Barton, the board heard from Principal Amanda Jones and Vice Principal William Edmonds about the school’s Project Based Learning foundation. Barton Academy is the only school in Alabama to receive a 100 on the State Report Card in 2025. At Baldwin, the board heard from Principal Adam Sealy about the school’s innovative approach to Career and Technical Education. The board also heard updates from Baldwin County Superintendent Eddie Tyler and Mobile County board members. Senator Jack Williams, as well as Representatives Frances Holk-Jones and Arnold Mooney spoke with the board during the retreat.

4. FY 2027 Proposed ALSDE Budget

During the work session, Dr. Mackey discussed the budget process and upcoming hearing. The ALSDE has shared their budget priorities with Governor Ivey’s office. On Wednesday, January 14, following the start of the 2026 Legislative Session and Governor Ivey’s State of the State, the Governor’s recommended budget will be released. On Monday, February 2, Dr. Mackey will present the SBOE’s budget request at a legislative budget hearing. The budget request will include line items such as the Alabama Literacy Act, the Alabama Numeracy Act, the RAISE Act, and Struggling Readers Beyond Grade 3. We will be tracking funding for Alabama’s students through our FY 2027 Budget Watch blog.

The next board meeting will be on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at 10 am at the Gordon Persons Building Auditorium. The work session will follow at 11am.

The Alabama State Board of Education usually meets on the second Thursday of each month, with the exception of the July meeting, to discuss important policies, procedures, and changes for Alabama’s K-12 public schools. The Board takes official action during their monthly meeting and then follows up with a Work Session to get updates and discuss future action that will be voted on at the next board meeting. You can watch them live and see old meetings here.