Last week, in a surprising move, appointees selected by Republican leadership voted to renew the Magic City Acceptance Academy Charter despite declining enrollment, low math proficiency scores, questionable decisions by school administrators—such as hosting drag queens multiple times on campus and adding sexually explicit content to the campus library—and several potential violations of state and federal guidelines related to DEI and gender ideology.
There were appointees from Gov. Kay Ivey, Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) and former State President Pro Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) present, and not a single member present offered a motion for non-renewal to shut the school down. However, one member voted against the renewal.
The school has seen a 52-student decline in enrollment this year, to 290 students — a 15% loss. Its math proficiency was well below state and district averages for fiscal year 24: 17.84% (State: 31.15%, District: 23.15%).
RELATED: Magic City Acceptance Academy offers platform for drag queens, Interfaith Alliance
Senate President Pro-Tem Garlan Gudger (R-Cullman), who replaced Reed as Pro-Tem, told 1819 News at the time, "I believe the commission's actions and decisions should reflect the traditional values and cultural concerns that most Alabamians hold, and we are currently in the process of reviewing the situation and available options."
Lawmakers told 1819 News that they are open to discussing how to hold the commission and its members more accountable for their actions.
In a follow-up this week, Gudger told 1819 News, "The charter school law was passed in 2015, before I was elected to the Senate, and attorneys have advised that commission members may be removed only if they are derelict or fail to perform their duties."
"I believe several of us in the Legislature are open to discussing ways we can make the commission and its members more accountable for the actions they take," he added.
One way to ensure accountability is to amend the current statute to state that the appointees "serve at the pleasure of their appointing authority." This change would give lawmakers the ability to recall the commissioners they appoint.
Ainsworth, who has two appointees on the commission, said, "I look forward to working with Senator Gudger to try to help find a solution to fix this problem."
According to Charles Murry, a spokesman for Ledbetter, "Speaker Ledbetter remains engaged on this issue and is evaluating all options ahead of the upcoming Legislative Session."
A review of members' voting records shows numerous Democrats appointed by Republican lawmakers. The Republican Party of Alabama changed its bylaws at its August 2025 meeting to say, "Partisan-elected Republican officials are strongly encouraged to appoint Republicans to fill all various positions whenever possible and as allowable by law."
"It is vital that those appointed to Alabama’s Charter School Commission reflect the values and priorities of the people of our state. These positions carry great responsibility in shaping the educational direction and moral foundation of Alabama’s children. We must not allow the failed policies of progressive ideologies and agendas to influence decisions that impact our children’s future," ALGOP Chairman John Wahl said about the situation.
"The people of Alabama expect and deserve a Charter School Commission that upholds Alabama values, not leftist policies."
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