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Alabama education department describes HR overhaul: DocuSign, Everbridge, new personnel roles and lower attrition
Summary
Department staff summarized human-resources changes at the Alabama State Department of Education, including a new director of personnel, an updated employee handbook, DocuSign onboarding, an Everbridge emergency-notification system and a decline in attrition to about 11% in 2023.
A department official told the State Board of Education that the Alabama State Department of Education has reorganized its human‑resources operations to improve onboarding, safety and personnel oversight.
Dr. Payne, who oversees human resources work for the department, said the department created and filled a director‑of‑personnel position and a personnel manager role, updated the employee handbook (the most recent full copy dated 2007 was replaced in 2021), and moved many forms to digital platforms including DocuSign and an internal forms system.
Why it matters: Board members said the department’s ability to recruit and retain staff affects day‑to‑day operations and program delivery across offices that monitor federal and state programs.
Details provided to the board - Staffing and organization: The department hired a director of personnel and a personnel manager and added personnel assistants to handle onboarding, separations and retirements; retired state employees were engaged to staff the information desk. - Onboarding and onboarding communications: Staff now send a detailed DocuSign welcome letter signed by the superintendent; the department runs regular new‑employee orientation sessions and provides state‑personnel mandatory training for supervisors. - Safety and communications: The department implemented Everbridge for emergency notifications, updated AEDs and safety plans, provided CPR and AED training to employees, and maintains evacuation and shelter procedures. - Workflow and systems: HR processes were digitized (DocuSign and internal forms); organizational charts are kept current in a system called Physio and approvals require budget certification before personnel actions proceed. - Metrics: Dr. Payne said attrition fell to about 11% in 2023 and that the department continues to track separations, transfers and retirements.
Board discussion and next steps Board members suggested the department consider a formal anonymous climate or new‑hire survey; staff said supervisors and the personnel manager conduct periodic check‑ins with new hires and that the department is considering further improvements. The department said it will continue semi‑annual review of the employee handbook and will maintain required state‑personnel training for supervisors.
Ending The superintendent and HR leadership asked board members to raise other questions or suggestions directly with HR leadership; no formal board action was recorded on HR during the meeting.
