Former lawmaker with controversial education stance eyes Board of Education seat

Former Alabama representative and Montgomery Public Schools board member, Charlotte Meadows, has thrown her hat into the ring for the Republican nomination for State Board of Education, District 3.

“I am a strong proponent of school choice,” Meadows stated, calling for a refocused effort on the State Board of Education to address Alabama’s education crisis.

However, Meadows’ previous roles in the education sector and her political career have been marred with controversies. As head of LEAD Academy in Montgomery, test scores in 2021 revealed that over 97 percent of students from grades 3-5 tested below proficiency in mathematics. This statistic starkly contrasts the state’s average proficiency rates.

Moreover, Meadows faced multiple accusations during her tenure at LEAD, ranging from mismanagement, alleged fraud, to accusations of marginalizing special needs children.

In a political upset, Meadows lost her House 74 seat to Phillip Ensler in 2022. Over the years, she has had a contentious relationship with the Alabama Education Association and has been a known advocate for external special interests keen on influencing Alabama’s education policy.

With a history of clashing with public education supporters, Meadows’ decision to vie for a spot on the Board of Education raises eyebrows and questions about her intentions and the future of Alabama’s education.

Meadows, with deep roots in District 3 and a history of serving on the board of the LEAD Academy charter school, voiced her concerns over Alabama’s education standards. “Education in Alabama is my driving passion,” she emphasized, alarmed by the state’s lag in national education rankings. “It’s high time for a new direction on the Board of Education,” she asserted.

The district encompasses Bibb, Chilton, Coosa, Elmore, Shelby, and parts of Jefferson, Montgomery, and Talladega Counties. The seat has been occupied by Stephanie Bell for nearly three decades.

Meadows, who is married to Dr. Allen Meadows and is both a mother and grandmother, also expressed concern over “the woke indoctrination of our society” and its infiltration into the education system.

The Republican Primary is scheduled for March 5, 2024.