Haleyville Board of Education election set for August 4

HALEYVILLE - Qualifying for place 1 of the Haleyville School Board election ended this week, with voters being advised of some important deadlines and details in preparation for the Tuesday, Aug. 4 election.
The only item on the ballot for the school board election will be place 1, which is currently held by Beth McAlpine. As of press time Monday, June 1, McAlpine and Bobby Crook had qualified, according to Elections Manager Christy Harbin.
Qualifying for place 1 ended at 5 p.m. Tuesday,  June 2, according to Harbin.
McAlpine, who has been on the board of education for 17 years, is seeking her fourth term on the board, while Crook is making his first run for the board, officials said.
Those qualifying for BOE place 1 are required to be residents of the Haleyville City School district and must reside in Winston County, Harbin emphasized.
Those who are voting in the August 4 BOE election also must be residents of the HCS district and reside in Winston County, Harbin emphasized.
“In the city elections, you can live in Marion County and  be a part of the city limits and vote,” Harbin explained. “For this (election), if you live in Marion County, you are not qualified to vote.”
A portion of Haleyville is in Marion County, prompting Harbin to make sure that point is clear.
All registered and qualified voters of the state who reside in the Haleyville City School district of Winston County will be authorized to participate in the BOE election, Harbin explained.
Polls will be open from 7 a.m.- 7 p.m. at the following polling sites for the Haleyville City School district in Winston County: Neighborhood Facilities Building, Haleyville, Haleyville Senior Center, Waldrop Church, Pebble Community Center and Delmar Fire Department, Harbin explained.
Now that qualifying has ended, absentee voting for the August 4 school board election will begin once absentee ballots are received.  Those who will be unable to go to the polls at the previously mentioned locations but who want to vote are being urged to contact Harbin at (205) 486-3121.
“They can request an application by mail,” Harbin said. “I can mail an application (for an absentee ballot). They mail it back. We verify that they are in the district and are eligible to vote and we mail the ballot.”
Those voting absentee can also come by Haleyville City Hall in person and vote, Harbin added. 
The last day to apply for an absentee ballot by mail for the August 4 school board election is July 28, with the last day to vote absentee in person being July 31, according to Harbin.
The school board election in the past was held in conjunction with the Haleyville municipal election, but during the COVID-19 pandemic, Governor Kay Ivey gave those in office for the last municipal election term an extra year, meaning a total of five years served, which affected the local election cycle, Harbin explained.
Election laws do not specify exactly when a school board election can be held.  That is up to the discretion of the Haleyville City Council to set the election date, Harbin said.
Haleyville BOE places are elected on staggered terms.  Once elected, the person in the seat serves six years, according to Harbin.
Harbin urged people living in the HCS district in Winston County to come to their  respective polling sites August 4 and cast their vote for the candidate of their choice.
“They need to take their  time, learn about the candidates and make their voice heard at the ballot box,” Harbin emphasized. 
“They need to remember that strong schools begin with an involved community,” Harbin further pointed out. “It’s very important to learn your candidates and to make a good choice.”
“We appreciate all the candidates who have signed up to run,” added Haleyville City Council Member Brian Berry, “for their willingness to serve our community.
“Great school systems don’t happen by accident,” Berry added. “It happens when great leaders step up to lead.  Fortunately for our school system, we’ve got great leaders voted in and we have great individuals who are willing to step up to lead.”
Haleyville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Bishop also stressed the importance of the upcoming school board election.
“That’s our right that our forefathers set up for us, the right to vote in the United States.  I think it is very important not just in nationwide elections, but in state, especially in local elections,” Bishop stated, “because our school board members are a very important part of the process.
“They get to represent the people,” added Bishop. “We have some very good school board members and have had over the years.
“I have been fortunate to work with a number of very, very good people and the people on our board are good people,” Bishop added. 
“I wish whoever it is the best of luck and  that they always put students first, not individuals or things of that nature,” Bishop emphasized, “It should be based on what is best for students and doing the right thing.
“I encourage people to get out and vote for someone who has integrity, who is going to do the right thing that supports all students,” Bishop concluded.
If the August 4 school board election results in a run-off, the run-off election will be Tuesday, Sept. 1, with the same polling hours and locations as the August 4 election, Harbin stated.
Other places on the board of education, that will not be included in this election, are Boo Haughton in place 2; Chad Tidwell, place 3; Brian “Thumper” Vickery place 4 and Donna Jones, place 5, Bishop said.