4 Ala. SBOE contended in general election

MONTGOMERY - The State Board of Education once was a somewhat apolitical panel that carried on its oversight of K-12 schools and two-year colleges out of the campaign spotlight that shone on higher-ticket posts.

But a widespread corruption scandal in the junior college system the past two years has made the nine-member board a widely watched panel, and that was expected to carry over to the race for the four seats up for election Nov. 4.

With big races nationally and statewide, political experts say the election of state school board members has been pushed to the back burner once again.

“Given all the races, I’m not sure that the average voter is going to pay that much attention,” Auburn University Montgomery political science professor Brad Moody said Monday.

And that’s just as well, because voters still have a bad taste over the corruption that took place while the board was looking elsewhere, University of Alabama professor emeritus William Stewart said.

“The board has suffered a loss in terms of its reputation because of what’s gone on in the community colleges under their watch,” he said. “On principal, that makes it easier for people who are challenging incumbents to say ‘Well, if I’d have been there it wouldn’t have
happened.”’

There is a Republican majority on the board, which meets twice monthly for meetings and work sessions dealing with issues in the two systems.
Republicans Randy McKinney of Gulf Shores and Stephanie Bell of Montgomery are seeking re-election, while the other Republicans - Gov. Bob Riley, David Byers of Birmingham and Betty Peters of Dothan - still have time on their terms.

McKinney is being challenged by Democrat Kenyon Berry for the District 1 seat, and Bell faces Judy West Bell of Jacksonville in District 3.

Republican Gary Warren of Haleyville and Democrat Earl Gardner of Florence are running for the District 7 seat being vacated by Democrat Sandra Ray of Tuscaloosa, and incumbent Democrat Ella Bell of Montgomery is being challenged by Republican Lula Bridges of Notasulga in District 5.

Democrats Ethel Hall of Fairfield and Mary Jane Caylor of Huntsville are not up for re-election.