By Susan Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
MONTGOMERY— On Tuesday, Senator Gerald Dial (R-Lineville) asked the Alabama Board of Education, in an email, to postpone finalizing the hiring of Michael Sentance as Superintendent of Education.
“It has become public that he has had his law license suspended among other concerning issues,” said Dial.
He said that it would be in the best interest of the State not to proceed, in order to allow for more time for an “investigative process” to address some outstanding issues concerning educators and legislators.
“To complete his hiring, would be non-prudent and potentially very costly to our State,” said Dial.
Earlier this month, the Board of Education voted to hire a Michael Sentance from Massachusetts, to fill the position left vacant by the retirement of Tommy Bice.
Sentance had been a licensed attorney since 1979, not an educator, which has caused a backlash in the education community. In recent years, Sentance has served as an education consultant.
SEE ARTICLE
http://www.alreporter.com/non-educator-selected-as-state-superintendent/
As a result, an online petition was created demanding the halt to Sentance’s hiring, which at last count was drawing close to 4,000 signatures.
Sen. Dial sent a letter to Attorney General Luther Strange asking for an investigation into the events surrounding the selection of Sentance, only a few days after the vote.
Yesterday, APR reported that Sentance’s Massachusetts law license had been suspended for nonpayment of dues.
SEE REPORT
http://www.alreporter.com/incoming-state-school-superintendents-law-license-suspended/
This, coupled with other events surrounding his selection, has caused many in the education and legislative community to question the circumstances surrounding the BOE vote.
