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Board considers hire of statewide PowerSchool program coordinator; discussion highlights training gaps
Summary
The board considered and moved to approve the employment of Stacy Royster as program coordinator for statewide student information system implementation; discussion noted training gaps with PowerSchool and one board member said they planned to abstain on the item.
The Alabama State Board of Education on Dec. 9 considered a motion to approve the employment of Stacy Royster as program coordinator for statewide student information system implementation (PowerSchool). The motion was made and seconded and generated discussion about the role and training gaps in districts; a board member stated on the record they planned to abstain.
Dr. Mackey described the proposed hire as a dedicated person to oversee statewide PowerSchool training after the department’s contract with PowerSchool for trainer-of-trainers support ends. "We're referring to this as our PowerSchool Czar program," Dr. Mackey said, explaining the hire would work with districts to ensure consistent training and reduce double-entry of grades by teachers. He said some teachers reported having to "double enter grades" into the student information system and their learning management system because they did not know how to use syncing functions.
Transcript audio contains a personnel motion reading that the hire would start at "step 18, salary schedule 8687" effective Jan. 1, 2022; the transcript audio of the annual-rate figure is garbled and the precise dollar amount is not specified in the record. A board member stated, on the record, "I do plan to abstain on this" citing that hiring authority rests with the superintendent and noting an associated pay increase. The transcript does not include a recorded roll-call or final vote tally for this specific employment action.
Meeting records identify Stacy Royster as coming from Opelika, where she served as district technology coordinator and worked with the department’s pilot districts. Board discussion emphasized the implementation and training function rather than a policy change.
Implementation notes in the meeting: staff described a trainer-of-trainers model that sometimes fails when local technology staff leave; the proposed coordinator role is intended to provide continuity and direct district outreach and training.
