State board deadlocks on charter commission nominees, carries selection to next meeting

The Alabama State Board of Education on Sept. 9 deadlocked 4-4 in separate roll-call votes over two nominees to the Alabama Public Charter School Commission and then voted to carry the matter to the board’s October meeting.

The tie occurred after the board considered two candidates submitted by the lieutenant governor to fill one vacancy on the charter commission: Kate White and Julia Lynn McCully. Board members announced their individual preferences during a roll call; the first count was 4-4, and a second roll call again produced an even split.

Board members discussed whether to revote. With no change in the tallies, a board member moved and the board unanimously approved a motion to carry the nomination to the next meeting. Miss Thornton, the board staff member who called the roll, announced the unanimous carryover vote.

The board chair noted the board will receive additional nominations at next month’s meeting, when other nominations from the speaker of the house will be available, and the item will return to the agenda.

Because the board did not select either candidate, the seat on the Alabama Public Charter School Commission remains vacant until the board reconvenes on the matter.