A new political action committee (PAC) has started up in Alabama's capital city to try and address the ongoing tumult affecting the county's struggling Montgomery Public School (MPS) system.
The self-proclaimed "coalition of concerned citizens in Montgomery" formed the Kids Come First PAC in response to MPS Superintendent Melvin Brown's recent resignation.
Last month, the Montgomery County Board of Education (MCBOE) voted by a 4-3 margin to accept Brown's resignation, which will be effective on November 1.
What followed were accusations of disarray within the MCBOE, which led to Brown's resignation. The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce pleaded with the MCBOE to reverse its decision and reinstate Brown.
The chamber also passed a resolution calling Alabama State Superintendent of Education Eric Mackey, the Department of Education and the State Board of Education "to place MPS under state control and intervention until such time the local board demonstrates that a majority of leadership will make the needed changes to move Montgomery forward in a true spirit of partnership."
The Kids Come First PAC places the blame for Brown's "seemingly forced" resignation at the feet of MCBOE District 7 member Arica Watkins-Smith, who motioned to accept the resignation.
In its first release, the PAC urged residents to write in Ebony Evans for the District 7 seat in the upcoming election on November 5.
The PAC listed the following reasons for its formation:
1. Local education governance is not just the purview of elected officials but a shared responsibility of the entire community. The recent events have underscored the need for greater community involvement in ensuring that educational decisions reflect the best interests of students, parents, and educators, a point that Watkins Smith has opposed, ignored, and worked against.
2. The removal of Dr. Brown, who was celebrated for his contributions to educational turnaround and progress, has introduced unnecessary instability. The PAC will advocate for leadership that prioritizes educational continuity, excellence, and the welfare of students over petty personal or political agendas.
3. By encouraging a write-in campaign for Ebony Evans, the PAC aims to send a clear message about the community's expectations for board leadership that Montgomery children should not be subject to the incompetence and ineffectiveness of the board to bring upon real, substantive, and measurable improvement. Evans is recognized for her commitment to educational equity and community engagement, qualities seen as essential for healing and moving forward.
"The formation of this PAC reflects a longtime and rapidly growing sentiment of dissatisfaction with current board leadership and a demand for accountability," the Kids First Pac said in a statement. "The PAC stands by the belief that Montgomery children deserve better than board leaders, like Watkins-Smith, who choose to play political games with their futures. Furthermore, voting for change in this election is not just about replacing one board member; it's about setting a precedent for how our education leaders should serve our community."
"While some may view this effort as unlikely, it is important to note that since filing for active status with the Secretary of State on September 26th, the PAC has already seen overwhelming vocal and financial support from the public in the effort to remove Watkins-Smith; raising more than $12,000 in just four days– a testament to the frustration of Watkins-Smith's ineffective leadership."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email craig.monger@1819news.com.
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
