The Alabama State Board of Education is set to vote Thursday 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.”
“We will continue working closely with state officials to facilitate a smooth transition and to make decisions that are in the best interest of our students and staff.”
While the district’s report card grades have improved in recent years, five of its 11 schools earned a ‘D,’ making them priority schools. That means families can move to non-priority schools in the district if space is available. The district’s test scores show steady progress, but overall proficiency remains low: one-third of students are proficient in English language arts, 11% in math, and 19% in science. //is this in a specific grade?//
Sampson is stepping down as superintendent at the end of the current school year. In December, he told ADN that decision is not related to the financial review.
Mackey said intervention is considered only after the state has worked closely with a district to address its challenges.
“In fact, we keep many more struggling systems out of intervention than those we take over,” he said.
In the two previous state takeovers under Mackey’s leadership, the first step after the board’s vote is to appoint an administrative officer, typically a retired Alabama superintendent, to oversee the intervention. Historically, interventions have lasted three years or more.
New legislation would expand officials’ power under intervention
Sen. Donnie Chesteen, R-Geneva, and Rep. Terri Collins, R-Decatur, have introduced. Senate Bill 215 and House Bill 344, which would give the state superintendent the power to issue subpoenas and call witnesses among other provisions.
Mackey told ADN he supports the bill, saying it would ease the transition for a local board after the intervention ends. The current law does not have a “step-down” process, he said.
“I certainly agree that a gradual step down could be helpful to the local board and community.”
“I think it is an excellent idea to hand the reins back over to the local board, but with some necessary guardrails for the first few months or even years.”
Both bills are awaiting committee consideration.
Mackey updated the board last month on the progress in Sumter County and Bessemer City, noting that while some improvements have been made, challenges remain.
Sumter County, in its second year under state control, still struggles with staffing shortages, particularly in recruiting qualified teachers and support staff, Mackey said. However, the effort to consolidate four school campuses into one is moving along.
Bessemer City, taken over just last August, is still uncovering operational issues, but school building conditions have improved, Mackey said.
“Intervention can be a helpful tool to assist a local community in getting its footing right in regards to its schools,” he said. “But it places a great deal of strain on the state department leadership team, including costs of employing a (chief administrative officer) and other supports.”
“We always prefer to avoid intervention, if possible. Nevertheless, when state intervention is necessary, we won’t shy from our responsibilities, either.”
As the state moves toward another takeover, Alabama lawmakers are considering legislation to expand the state superintendent’s authority and strengthen oversight during interventions.
Alabama lawmakers established the Educational Accountability and Intervention Act in 2013, during a contentious takeover of Birmingham City Schools. The state has intervened in only four school districts since then, including the two current districts, a four-year intervention in Montgomery City Schools, which ended in 2021 and a three-year intervention into Selma City Schools, which ended in 2017.
The chart below shows enrollment in Dallas County schools from 1995 until the current year. Use the dropdown menu on the right to choose a different district. Click here if you are unable to see the chart.
The table below shows report card grades by school. Type ‘Dallas’ into the search box to see Dallas County’s recent report card grades. Click here if you are unable to see the chart.