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State board confirms Brandon T. Payne as deputy superintendent after debate over hiring authority
Summary
The Alabama State Board of Education approved Dr. Brandon T. Payne as deputy state superintendent for administration and finance at an annual salary of $204,727.20, with two board members abstaining amid disagreement over the board's authority to vote on executive hires.
The Alabama State Board of Education voted May 12 to approve Dr. Brandon T. Payne as deputy state superintendent for administration and finance at an annual rate of $204,727.20, effective in June. The motion carried after a roll call; two board members abstained.
The appointment was raised during the board's meeting in the Gordon Persons Building Auditorium. State Superintendent Dr. Mackey said the position would begin at step 18, pay grade 092, and that Dr. Payne has the qualifications needed to oversee the department's administration and finance functions. "No question in my mind... Doctor Payne has that qualification and background," Mackey said in response to questions about credentials.
Board discussion focused less on Payne's record than on the board's role in confirming executive staff. One board member said she would abstain, explaining she believes the board should generally vote only on the state superintendent and not routinely on other executive appointments. Personnel legal staff told the board that, "the superintendent chooses the executive staff. They serve at the pleasure of the superintendent," noting that nominations require board confirmation under the state personnel department's interpretation of the code.
Mackey told the board the department will hire a budget director with a Certified Public Accountant credential after Payne assumes the deputy role. "We will, however, after this approval, be looking for a budget director. And in that budget director, we are going to hire a CPA," Mackey said, describing it as part of the department's staffing plan.
The board had previously debated whether the code gives members hiring authority for positions below the superintendent; some members said the legal interpretation has shifted. Two abstentions were recorded during the final vote. The motion otherwise carried.
Dr. Payne, who has served in the department in an executive role, thanked the board in brief remarks after the vote.
Next steps include publicly posting the search for the budget director position and onboarding Dr. Payne into the administration and finance responsibilities approved by the board.
