School choice, teacher retention major focus of the 2024 State of the Schools

The 2024 State of the Schools breakfast was held at the Jackson Center on the morning of February 27. 

The meeting was presented in partnership with The Schools Foundation. 

Representatives from Huntsville City Schools, Madison City Schools, and Madison County Schools spoke at the well-attended event.

The major themes of the meeting were career preparedness for students, community partnerships, legislation surrounding school choice, and teacher retention.  

Three high school students, one from each school district, participated in a panel in which they discussed their experiences in work-based learning opportunities. 

Taylor Clark, Jonah Moro, and Anna Mayes have participated in internships at Huntsville Hospital, STI Electronics, and HudsonAlpha, respectively. 

Each of the three students spoke about the value of receiving field experience in their chosen future professions. 

Dr. Ed Nichols, superintendent of Madison City Schools, encouraged local businesses and organizations to make opportunities available for high school students to participate in career readiness programs. 

“At the heart of what we want to do is to not only provide the curriculum to prepare our students, but also the experience. If your company is out there, and you’re not partnering with one of us [school districts], the only reason you’re not is because you haven’t called us,” said Nichols.

Ron Poteat, Board Chair of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber Foundation, moderated a superintendent panel discussion. 

Dr. Clarence Sutton, superintendent of Huntsville City Schools; Dr. Ed Nichols, superintendent of Madison City Schools; and Mr. Kenneth Kubik, superintendent of Madison County Schools, each had the opportunity to speak about the successes and challenges faced by their respective school districts. 

Poteat initiated a discussion on the issue of school choice, and specifically mentioned The Creating Hope & Opportunity for Our Students’ Education (CHOOSE) Act, which is supported by Governor Ivey. 

“The CHOOSE Act program would provide up to $7,000 per child enrolled at an accredited, participating private or public school through an education savings account funded by a new refundable income tax credit. Additionally, families who opt for homeschooling could receive up to $2,000 per homeschooler, with a $4,000 cap for families with more than one homeschooler, for eligible educational expenses,” explains a press release from the governor’s office. 

The superintendents expressed concerns that The CHOOSE Act would divert funding from public schools, while also creating unequal expectations for public versus private schools. 

“I want to start by saying I am not against private school education,” said Dr. Nichols. “My daughter actually goes to Samford University, a private college in Birmingham, Alabama. I’m for accountability. If you take the public money, you ought to meet the same standards. All I ask is that if people get the money they take the same tests, and do the same [paperwork] as my teachers.” 

The meeting concluded with a discussion on the issue of teacher retention. 

Nichols said that Huntsville is increasingly becoming a community where young professionals would like to live. This helps superintendents recruit young, energetic teachers to the area. 

Nichols asserted that respecting teachers for the important work that they do goes a long way towards retaining high-quality teachers. His fellow superintendents agreed.

Nichols closed by urging those gathered to show appreciation for the teachers in their lives.

“I challenge you to take time, if you have children in school, to tell the teacher thank you. And if you don’t have children in school, find a teacher and thank them for what they do,” urged Nichols. “Let us become known as the place where people say thank you, and speak out on behalf of the people who need it, our kids.”