The Alabama State Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution on Aug. 10 authorizing state intervention in the Sumter County School System after members raised concerns about the district's finances, audits and readiness to open schools.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey said the Sumter County board voted 4-0 to accept state support after the department sent an initial letter and held follow-up calls. "We will not go in and make major personnel changes at this time," Mackey told the board, adding that "we're actually adding people, not cutting people" to help get the district ready for the school year.

Board member Dr. Chestnut asked how the intervention would affect personnel; Mackey said the resolution authorizes appointing a chief administrative officer (CAO) who will work with Sumter County superintendent Dr. Burrows to assess on-the-ground needs. Mackey said some reorganization could be needed later as federal COVID-era funds decline: "Those federal funds will disappear in about 13 months," he said, and the department will help the district develop a step-down plan.

Nut graf: The intervention aims to address a backlog of financial records, incomplete audits and staffing gaps that left Sumter County unable to adopt an agenda at a recent meeting and delayed the start of school. State officials said the action is intended to stabilize finances and operations so the district keeps federal Title I dollars and can open classrooms.

Mackey told the board the Department of Public Examiners could not complete this year's audit because Sumter County's books were far behind; the department has already placed a bookkeeper in the district and expects to update bills and financial statements so examiners can finish an audit. "If they don't have a complete and clear audit, then they're in danger of losing their Title I funds," Mackey said.

Board members asked about the scale of the district and the likely types of state support. Mackey said Sumter County has roughly 1,000 students across four schools and has about half the student population it did 20 years ago. He noted recent resignations of the superintendent, chief school finance officer and a high school principal, and said the state has already provided a finance staffer and will assign a CAO (a retired superintendent) to lead the intervention. The CAO and state staff will determine whether additional finance, academic or facilities support is needed.

Mackey said the department is prioritizing: getting bills paid, bringing financial records up to date, completing the audit and preventing the loss of federal funds. He said the state will examine facility needs as well; Sumter County has some structural issues at certain schools and "excess bond capacity" that might be used for borrowing but the department will avoid encouraging unsustainable debt.

On community engagement, Mackey said Sumter County Superintendent Burrows has been communicating with parents and that the state will hold town halls and other outreach over the next few weeks. "I'll have three days in the next month" cleared to go to Sumter County, Mackey said.

The board expressed disappointment that local disagreements left school delayed. Board member Marie Manning said the delay "interrupts the family. It interrupts employment," and the board president recorded the board's disappointment at school not opening on time. Mackey confirmed school had been delayed until the following Monday after a local meeting failed to adopt an agenda.

The resolution passed by unanimous voice/hand vote. The board's discussion established the department's immediate priorities and authorized the CAO appointment and state steps described by Mackey; no detailed staffing or long-term facility commitments were made in the meeting.

Ending: The department will follow up with a CAO-led assessment, immediate bookkeeping support and scheduled town halls; board members said they expect the department to report progress in coming weeks.