The Alabama State Board of Education voted unanimously on June 10 to release the Montgomery County Board of Education from state educational intervention under the Educational Accountability and Intervention Act.

Board members said the district met the requirements that originally prompted intervention and praised local leaders and staff for improvements made through the pandemic. Community members in attendance thanked the board for its work and urged continued support as the district returns to local control.

Board member Ella Bell, speaking during the discussion, said she had been on the board when the intervention vote was taken and described the decision to intervene as difficult. "It was unanimous to intervene in Montgomery Public Schools. It is certainly not easy at this point because in the community there are mixed opinions," Bell said, adding that the December 1 timeline gives the state and district time to monitor progress before the new school year.

Dr. Chestnut, a board member, publicly commended the Alabama State Department of Education and Montgomery County school leaders for meeting and exceeding the requirements spelled out in the Educational Accountability and Intervention Act. "You all not only met the requirements, but you exceeded the requirements," Dr. Chestnut said, thanking central-office and school-level staff for their work.

Several other trustees echoed those remarks, including members who said they had personal ties to Montgomery schools as former students or educators. One trustee cited the district's recruitment of Dr. Ann Roy Moore as an example of effective leadership.

During the meeting the board formally moved to consider and adopt a resolution to release the Montgomery County Board of Education from intervention; trustees voted by raised hands and the motion passed unanimously.

Claire Veil, present in the audience and recognized by the board, addressed the board after the vote and thanked members for their intervention and support. "The help we got was tremendous. We've been working really, really hard," Veil said, and noted summer programming that she said involved about 12,000 students.

The formal release directs the state and the local district to continue monitoring progress, and trustees emphasized that local and state officials will continue work during the summer and into the next school year. The resolution and the accompanying comments repeatedly referenced the requirements and process established by the Educational Accountability and Intervention Act.

The board adjourned the item and moved on to other agenda business following the unanimous vote.

(Ending) The board did not specify additional state conditions attached to the release in the meeting record; trustees said they will continue routine oversight and review progress before schools open in the fall.