Government

Lawmakers: Schools Unfairly Hurt by Report Cards’ Treatment of Non-English Speakers

On the most recent state-mandated school report card, Russellville City Schools had a graduation rate of almost 96% and its score for academic growth — improvements made by students — was an impressive 99.46. Ninety-one percent of students were considered college and career ready, better than the state average of 75%, and it had a low chronic absenteeism rate. Still, the system is labeled a “B,” largely because of its performance in academic achievement, a category of the report card based on students’ performance on a standardized test. Of Russellville City Schools’ nearly 2,500 students, more than 600 are English language learners who are not proficient in the language. “That’s 23% of my students who can’t read the test,” Superintendent Heath Grimes said. “We’re giving 660 students a test they can’t read.” Read more.

by Mary Sell and Caroline Beck, Alabama Daily News

Alabamians: Keep Elected State Board of Education

Alabamians on Tuesday said they want to keep their ability to vote for the state’s K-12 leaders. Amendment One was defeated soundly. With more than 1.1 million votes cast, about 75% were “no” votes, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State. The amendment would have done away with the current elected Alabama State Board of Education that oversees K-12 education, replacing it with a governor-appointed commission. The amendment’s defeat is a loss for Gov. Kay Ivey, who was its chief advocate. It also had the support of other state GOP leaders and a coalition of groups led by the Alabama Farmers Federation, who pinned schools’ poor achievement rankings on the board of eight elected members. But some, including the Alabama Republican Party’s executive committee, opposed the amendment that would have ended Alabamians’ ability to elect state education leaders, something they’ve done for about 50 years. Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Voters Reject Amendment, Keep Elected School Board

Alabamians on Tuesday said they want to keep their ability to vote for the state’s K-12 leaders. Amendment One was defeated soundly, with more than 1.1 million votes cast. About 75% were “no” votes, according to unofficial results from the Alabama Secretary of State. The amendment would have done away with the current elected Alabama State Board of Education that oversees K-12 education, replacing it with a governor-appointed commission. “I’m proud of the people of the state,” current board member Jeff Newman, a Republican who represents the Shoals and a portion of the Tennessee Valley, said Tuesday night. “I like to work for the people, the schools belong to the people.”  “… There’s no doubt we have work to do in education, we do; but we need the means to do it.”  Read more.

by Mary Sell, Alabama Daily News

Shaw Wins Re-election to Supreme Court

MONTGOMERY -- Sitting Supreme Court Justice Greg Shaw fended off a challenge from state Sen. Cam Ward Tuesday in the Republican primary for his Place 1 seat on the high court.  Shaw received 341,442 votes, earning 58.43%, while Ward received 242,913 votes, 41.57%, according to the latest unofficial tally from the Alabama Secretary of State’s Office. With no Democrat signed up to run, Shaw will be uncontested in the general election on Nov. 3.  Read more.

by Amy Driggers, Alabama Daily New

Fridy, Windom Win Appellate Court Races; Kellum and Smith Head to Runoff

MONTGOMERY -- Alabama voters on Tuesday gave clear-cut victories in two races for appellate judgeships, while sending a third to a runoff.  For Place 1 on the Court of Civil Appeals, State Rep. Matt Fridy, R-Montevallo, defeated Pelham attorney Phillip Bahakel by 66% to 34%. There is no Democrat running in the November general election. For Place 1 on the Court of Criminal Appeals, incumbent Mary Windom defeated Cullman attorney Melvin Hasting by 70% to 30%. With no Democratic primary opponent, Windom will be uncontested in the general election. For Place 2 on the Court of Criminal Appeals, incumbent Beth Kellum will face former Lauderdale County Commissioner Will Smith in a runoff on March 31. There is no Democrat running in the November general election.  Read more.

by Devin Pavlou, Alabama Daily News

Recommends — Super Tuesday

Takeaways From Super Tuesday: Joe Biden’s Big Bounce (Associated Press) ‘I’ve Never Seen Anybody Mount a Comeback Like This — Ever’ (Politico) At a Glance: Super Tuesday States and Delegate Counts (Reuters) Democratic Contest Narrows to Biden and Sanders (New York Times) Alabama Votes Against Amendment 1, Keeps Elected Board of Education (Montgomery Advertiser) Exit Polls From the 2020 Democratic Super Tuesday Contests (Washington Post)

by BirminghamWatch

Numbers From Tuesday’s Vote-a-Rama

Joe Biden swept the state in the Democratic primary for president. Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville are headed for a runoff for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate. Voters rejected an amendment to change the state Board of Education from an elected board to an appointed commission. See results for state, Jefferson and Shelby County races on the ballot. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Sessions, Tuberville in GOP Runoff for Senate; Trump Criticizes Sessions

Jeff Sessions, bidding to take back the U.S. Senate seat he held for two decades, will face political newcomer and longtime college football coach Tommy Tuberville in a March 31 runoff for the Republican nomination for the position. With the campaign revolving around which candidate is the stronger supporter of President Donald Trump, the president seemingly inserted himself into the race early Wednesday with a tweet criticizing Sessions. “This is what happens to someone who loyally gets appointed Attorney General of the United States & then doesn’t have the wisdom or courage to stare down & end the phony Russia Witch Hunt,” Trump tweeted. “Recuses himself on FIRST DAY in office, and the Mueller Scam begins!” Sessions was an early supporter of Trump during the 2016 presidential campaign, and the president appointed Sessions as his first attorney general. When Sessions recused himself from the Russia investigation, Trump responded with scathing criticism and forced him to resign. Tuberville and Sessions led a field of seven candidates in Tuesday’s GOP primary election. Both immediately declared their loyalty to the president and his programs. Read more.

by Glenn Stephens

Results of Today’s Primary Elections

Joe Biden swept the state in the Democratic primary for president. Jeff Sessions and Tommy Tuberville are headed for a runoff for the Republican nomination to the U.S. Senate. Voters rejected an amendment to change the state Board of Education from an elected board to an appointed commission. See results in these and other races. Read more.

by BirminghamWatch

Mosquito Spraying to Continue in Birmingham Despite Objections

The city of Birmingham will continue the practice of spraying for mosquitoes, despite vehement objection from two city councilors. Questions have been raised about the effectiveness of spraying, as well as possible dangers to people and the environment from the chemicals. Read more.

by Sam Prickett