The Alabama State Board of Education is set to vote Thursday (March 13) on whether to approve State Superintendent Eric Mackey’s recommendation to intervene into Dallas County Schools, a rural district facing years of financial and academic struggles and declining enrollment.
If approved, Dallas County would become the third school district currently under state intervention, joining Sumter County and Bessemer City schools.
The proposed takeover follows a state review of $12 million in district expenditures, launched after a June audit flagged $4.9 million in improperly bid professional development services during the 2023 fiscal year.
Mackey said he recently met with the Dallas County school board to discuss state concerns about the district’s finances.
“It was a very productive meeting with a supportive board,” Mackey told Alabama Daily News. “Subsequently the (Dallas County) Board passed a resolution regarding state intervention,” Mackey said.
The school board on Feb. 27 approved a resolution agreeing to comply with “any and all directives from the state superintendent during the intervention period.”
Dallas County Superintendent Anthony Sampson provided a statement to Alabama Daily News, saying in part, “We recognize the challenges ahead and remain committed to ensuring that our students, educators and community continue to receive the support and resources necessary for success.”
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was written by Trisha Powell Crain and originally published by Alabama Daily News. It is reprinted with permission.
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