The Alabama Senate will debate a charter school bill favored by the Republican Party. the vote is expected to happen Tuesday afternoon.
The proposal allows the establishment of up to 10 "startup" charter schools in the state each year and unlimited conversions of existing schools to charter status.
Republicans say charters provide education choices to families and encourage innovation. Opponents say they would drain resources from existing public schools.
Charter schools are public schools that have freedom from the regulations placed on other public schools. Schools could choose to hire non-certified teachers or not offer tenure.
Under the bill, local school officials or nonprofit groups would open the charter schools. However, operations could be contracted out to for-profit companies.
Alabama is one of eight states that do not allow charter schools.
Jurors have heard the chilling 911 call that was made when an Alabama girl collapsed after running around her yard in what prosecutors say was punishment inflicted by her grandmother.
Grandmother Joyce Garrard is heard repeatedly calling the name of 9-year-old Savannah Hardin in the background of the more than 11-minute recording played in court Tuesday.
The child's stepmother, Jessica Mae Hardin, made the call telling a 911 operator the girl had a seizure. She never says the girl had been running or had any previous medical problems.
The operator says Garrard at one point is heard asking for a smoke while the child was unconscious on the ground. The defense suggests the woman was actually asking for a throw, like a blanket.
If you’re patriotic and like to sing about it, then the Birmingham Barons want to talk to you. The minor league ball club is holding auditions tomorrow for people who want to sing the national anthem during a home game.
Singers of all ages are encouraged to come out. However, auditions are limited to the first one hundred people at the gate.
Tyler Brown is the Director of Media Relations for the Barons. He says candidates who are not able to make it out to the ballpark can still audition.
“If you’re unavailable or would prefer to submit an audio recording, you can send that audio recording to our Production Director Mike Ferko. His email is mferko@ barons.com.”
All video and audio files should be emailed to the Barons by next Wednesday. Each selected candidate is guaranteed to perform at least one game.