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Editorials: Alabama State Superintendent

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By Collin Gaston - bio | email

  • Editorials

  • Friday, May 18 2012 7:20 PM EDT2012-05-18 23:20:53 GMT
    If you text and drive it's a matter of WHEN and not IF you will be involved in an accident. The odds are stacked against you when your eyes and hands are more focused on your cell phone than they are
    If you text and drive it's a matter of WHEN and not IF you will be involved in an accident.  The odds are stacked against you when your eyes and hands are more focused on your cell phone than they are the other motorists on the roadways.

  • Tuesday, May 15 2012 7:20 PM EDT2012-05-15 23:20:31 GMT
    On our editorial suggesting that the governor raise taxes to fund Medicaid, we received these comments: "If the budget is passed at this severely cut rate, the shortage of physicians, hospitals, and clinics
    On our editorial suggesting that the governor raise taxes to fund Medicaid, we received these comments:

  • Tuesday, May 1 2012 7:20 PM EDT2012-05-01 23:20:35 GMT
    If your commute includes I-85 in the mornings I'm sure you've noticed men alongside the roadways picking up trash and road debris and thought to yourself "who would want to do that?"
    If your commute includes I-85 in the mornings I'm sure you've noticed men alongside the roadways picking up trash and road debris and thought to yourself "who would want to do that?"

  • Friday, April 20 2012 7:20 PM EDT2012-04-20 23:20:42 GMT
    For the next sixty seconds I want you to give yourself permission to push pause on whatever you are doing and listen and reflect for a moment. I did this recently after reading an article titled "Top five

  • Wednesday, April 18 2012 7:27 PM EDT2012-04-18 23:27:31 GMT
    Representative Christopher John England (Tuscaloosa) has sponsored a bill in the Alabama legislature that would allow convicted felons of drug crimes to receive food stamps under certain circumstances.
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) -

I took the liberty of reviewing the Alabama State Superintendent of Education ad this week and found the language in the ad for prospective candidates on point.  Here's an excerpt, and I quote, "This is an exceptional opportunity for an educational leader with a vision of success for all students and the capacity to implement that vision in conjunction with the established goals of the board." 

Sounds like a great opportunity where the candidate pool from in and out of state would be plentiful.  That is not the case.  The state of Alabama received a whopping seven applications -SEVEN.  None of the applicants were female, and none were submitted by currently employed Alabama school superintendents. This is a well compensated and vital position for our state and the lack of response both in and out of state is troubling and potentially problematic.

Starting November 10th Governor Bentley will begin interviewing the top four candidates.  Our hope is that THE visionary leader is in this final candidate pool and THEY have a plan to lead our K through 12 schools into national prominence.  If after these interviews a clear leader does not emerge - then we again start our search from scratch.  We owe it to our teachers and children to not settle as the future of our state and nation begins with a strong educational foundation.  This person will lay the bricks of that foundation. 

We appreciate and encourage your feedback.

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