[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6250369,"mediaKeyId","3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1","parentId",3202899,"title","Parents urge more special‑education, bilingual staff and anti‑bullying enforcement as board readies superintendent search","audioSeconds",1079,"startMs",3719000,"endMs",4798000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1&start=3719&end=4798","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1/thumbnail_3719000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6250369/Alabama/Parents-urge-more-specialeducation-bilingual-staff-and-antibullying-enforcement-as-board-readies-superintendent-search","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250369-ddb0022ad9c77d841dd02e6406df8e66/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847012&Signature=S6JRhiooKCAn1fW4iSwDLNsrXUgiPDdMuY1lHnjTNVkNIGRPpS1~5rpsZe~qw4etCl5OFXlDASkmMiE3aS-JQOHEijKSVj0ZxzUt5-MUo8GLj3RdmligjK-~qD~xfrIBPB5qj8iKXoqIaCX18PQmRshZiOTpLNicJS~MzHtyZOxvmy5siZJ38sJHh0-u9TkAlXBjBgf4uVfD5Zm6BjbGdSye4UMzYnfbBjABcex3mErL7VrHH6-NsYUzOUFVN4AV-f4raAuJya1GL8IUVIZkW9YXC9wOTLXCSsVWpjIbgAA6UfC6DOYAix0yg9YCO3yiMWBoV-11y1D9A5hFX6xsUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pelham City Schools, Alabama","date","2025-05-06T20:30:03.847Z","article","Multiple speakers during public comment told the Pelham City Board of Education on May 5 that the district needs more special‑education staff, bilingual support and clearer enforcement of anti‑bullying policies.

A student, Emmett, said a peer with muscular dystrophy is \"made fun of relentlessly\" and asked the board to address bullying. Parents and PTO volunteers described repeated anecdotes of students and families not receiving timely translation services; one parent said there was only one staff member in some buildings able to translate Spanish and urged hiring more bilingual staff. \"We need more people that are bilingual,\" a parent said, and parents noted that about 30% of the student population is Hispanic, a figure raised during the meeting.

A special‑education parent (Kayla) detailed resource shortfalls she said are affecting students with disabilities: she reported the district had one occupational therapist for the entire city school system and requested more aides, teachers and training on assistive technologies, inclusive playground equipment and adult‑size changing tables. Board members acknowledged the concerns and described funding mechanics: state funding is based on prior‑year counts and the district can supplement units with local funds; the district can also pursue state grants for students with specific and severe needs. Board members asked parents to report bullying incidents to teachers and to follow up with district staff or board members when necessary so the board can help ensure appropriate responses.

No new staffing or funding decisions were made at the May 5 meeting; board members said special‑education and bilingual capacity will be considered as part of district planning and in the superintendent search criteria.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","PCS Special Called Board Meeting, May 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Parents and students urged the Pelham City Board of Education on May 5 to boost special‑education staffing, hire more bilingual staff and improve anti‑bullying responses, saying current resources fall short of need.","taxTitle","Pelham City Schools, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",61104,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6250374,"Parents press for stronger dance and arts support; board cites need for parent 'champions' and booster involvement",561,2753000,3314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1&start=2753&end=3314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1/thumbnail_2753000.jpg","/articles/6250374/Alabama/Parents-press-for-stronger-dance-and-arts-support-board-cites-need-for-parent-champions-and-booster-involvement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250374-ba72f1bf737f6fce0776f33ce1edd6d2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847012&Signature=npzaLHtWiXbsvRHPy8rsLZs8hmx8GKIkz5ksNRlxW11iriQQT3ZM6~9oZ3NIZr28nuu-FVam9vbB3TWwZYjJB8CP60Iyrr2Cv5UOVNUE0W91Q~rmNolgCmramP6V1uMrLtWqgQ-AXJx-QoTaH3-cotAwo2Qv8qnFPVTXNdNlBVersp6Mx6-8JBfAZ9S5ZD-VUdgeZqJoM7V6~w3WCZ8GrN3DKmXLROkBbI4E9WgdFK7iihaYz0LgX5Nuq1DQs8bjfJZrWbLJDGCSpiZW0i1xNlt6GcefPJVfbyjWSUm-7JBG4c9I9D7hDBiCzsbrDsQKC~~JbsZ7SgLxPQQM9xUl4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several parents raised the state of Pelham’s performance arts programming at the May 5 board meeting, asking the district to support a more robust dance and secondary choral program and to ensure arts offerings match athletics in visibility and funding.

A parent, Jack Jacobs, described interest in a competitive dance team and said earlier outreach had been met with a dismissive response from school staff. \"We have a lot of girls who are taking these classes and have all this experience and would like to represent the school... but it was not like we're not expecting... it was just kind of being brushed aside,\" Jacobs said.

Community member Catherine Esquivel and other parents described staffing and participation shortfalls that had reduced competitive opportunities and said rebuilding the programs will require administrative support and parent volunteer leadership. Board members said Pelham values the performing arts and that booster clubs and parent champions play a central role in making programs sustainable. One board member summarized the district view: \"Every program... you gotta have a champion for it to be great,\" and urged parents to help identify volunteers who can lead booster efforts and coordinate with schools.

Board members also cautioned that adding programs must be balanced with other electives and scheduling constraints; they said the district offers many new career academies and electives that can dilute enrollment in any single program. No board action was taken; members asked parents to help organize booster support and noted finalists in the superintendent search will be asked to consider arts priorities as part of broader program planning.","Community members asked the board to rebuild competitive dance opportunities and strengthen arts programs. Board members said success depends on parent champions, booster-club support and careful program scaling with other electives and athletic periods.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6250378,"Parents press Pelham board to expand foreign-language options; district cites online and grade‑level expansion constraints",330,2662000,2992000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1&start=2662&end=2992","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1/thumbnail_2662000.jpg","/articles/6250378/Alabama/Parents-press-Pelham-board-to-expand-foreign-language-options-district-cites-online-and-gradelevel-expansion-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250378-3ff73c036153cad683ea839f9aefd1bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847012&Signature=RKs7oRqhEDjCyV89~ekGacr22UW44feSxShgrnoBVwYE7AgNKIgXwhttuqnlNT-8SQr0FOGpbLY4QmC5CgGvBmlzvTHLnH9w15QhaT~yI~0vecoSMX9mSEoRhVM1DNxz4Gr5aIaM-4KyAtKaO0EAiDbNueEi4H8HrLHmS~HZ~S4dQAVdvGOLG6soSgtItedjAGCWpwCNeTxw6x37cAa~L370o9BElr90CADkfUNDtqbWYdW3NMKHrFHVddSBfiotHIkdjUMgOXXULxb8ZYqPYElzAquPn9eutspEZJjDhiNtxlkjDkP1fOZRZcxwlfbqnqgfQ~Rgkf3X4NmQYSdcLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Parents at the May 5 Pelham City Board of Education meeting asked why the district limits high‑school foreign language sequences, saying students at nearby systems can complete four years of multiple languages. A parent, Jack Jacobs, said his daughter faces limited options and pressed the board for more pathways to advanced language study.

Board members acknowledged the concern and said the district has relied in part on non‑face‑to‑face options for third‑ and fourth‑year language coursework, citing the state or system-provided Access online classes as a route for students to complete advanced levels. \"We've had levels 3 and 4 of certain languages in the past, but it's kind of gone away... Access is an online class where they could get their third and fourth year,\" a board member said, noting online delivery can be challenging for students at upper levels without an in-person teacher.

Board members and staff said expanding language offerings requires building sustained enrollment earlier in elementary and middle grades so that enough students will enroll in higher‑level classes when they reach high school. The board suggested the district and parents could discuss phased expansion — adding courses over time and prioritizing which languages to offer — and said counselors can guide students who want to pursue advanced language work now.

No formal action was taken; board members asked parents to continue raising demand and indicated course offerings may be considered by district leadership as part of curriculum planning for future years.","At a May 5 meeting parents questioned why Pelham offers limited high‑school language sequences; board members said advanced language work has been handled via online 'Access' courses and expansion requires building enrollment earlier in grades.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6250383,"Pelham board posts superintendent vacancy for 30 days; applications due June 9",85,659000,744000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1&start=659&end=744","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3202899-e3182ed713fca156abc5c32a3a6b37f1/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/6250383/Alabama/Pelham-board-posts-superintendent-vacancy-for-30-days-applications-due-June-9","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6250383-d8d89918036574dc3b6ecba07f161802/orig.mp4?Expires=1770847012&Signature=VoHv3RvX5Ml302FiwAZ-9VLK-z2FhFj6Z~zRjS-EtsEa4W5NVPzxsYkG0SpOxaSqlrtnLWRuy8t-r8nN8SPVncaRw5mxqb1k1YC53ZrTzsYLnCYdEnx~MTVkOt872-wa89k~LGzK-A0TmCuDqHA6XqMZOC-p6qmaTNpTl~qauU3ne7KaSWti89HSbwWaMPgeWOU4vWVjE8AArGshtdVef6Naya5sVrzdGjRR43wDtGuXT~RCNZM4lEsY1H8-cjCUU-vkeicNBNvuwwyDoJaCaDVgIWAKXEImkLBlAXSyfb2G0JNhKJSaP6Aa0jiNjGDgsoF8kYOMS-qOXvRXC6E6jQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Pelham City Board of Education on May 5 opened the search to replace Superintendent Dr. Ledbetter, who announced his retirement effective June 30, 2025, and directed staff to post the vacancy for 30 days with applications due June 9. The board named the law firm Bishop Brooks as the contact to accept applications and said it will post the announcement on the district website.

The board emphasized legal and credential requirements during the meeting. The board’s reading of the previous job posting said the superintendent serves as the chief executive officer of the Pelham City Board of Education and must meet requirements in Alabama Code 16-12-1 and regulations of the Alabama State Board of Education. The job posting language the board reviewed lists minimum qualifications including general fitness and character appropriate to the position, a degree from a recognized four-year college or university, eligibility for an Alabama superintendent certificate and at least five years of successful experience in public school administration. The board discussed desired traits from the district’s 2021 posting, noting a doctorate is preferred but not required and that superintendent experience is likely preferred but not required.

Board President said the board will consider the results of community and employee surveys when setting final criteria for the posting. The surveys produced 296 community responses and 38 employee responses; board members summarized the top priorities reported by both groups as recruiting, employing and retaining quality staff; student growth and achievement for all learners; and academic programs that meet a wide variety of student needs and interests. The surveys also identified common desired traits: collaboration and empowerment of others in decision-making, a strong vision for educational excellence and visibility in schools and community events. \"The board intends to complete the process and name Dr. Ledbetter's successor no later than June,\" Board President said during the meeting.

Board members said initial interviews will likely be private out of respect for any sitting district leaders who apply; the board said finalists may be brought to Pelham to meet staff and community before a final selection, repeating the process used in 2021. The board did not vote on hiring criteria at the May 5 meeting; members framed the posting and timeline as procedural directions to begin the search.

Public comment during the meeting focused on topics the board said will inform selection priorities, including academic program breadth, arts and extracurriculars, special education and multilingual services. The board asked community members to continue providing input as the search proceeds and reminded residents that application instructions will be available on the district website and through Bishop Brooks.

The board also announced logistics: the vacancy notice must remain posted 30 days under state law; applicants will have until June 9 to apply; and private interviews are possible, with community meetings planned for finalists. No final appointment was made at the May 5 meeting.","Pelham City Board of Education announced a 30-day posting for its superintendent vacancy after Dr. Ledbetter’s planned retirement June 30, 2025, named Bishop Brooks as application contact and summarized community and staff survey results that will inform selection criteria.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Parents urge more special‑education, bilingual staff and anti‑bullying enforcement as board readies superintendent search

Parents press for stronger dance and arts support; board cites need for parent 'champions' and booster involvement

Parents press Pelham board to expand foreign-language options; district cites online and grade‑level expansion constraints

Pelham board posts superintendent vacancy for 30 days; applications due June 9