August 2012 Group Watch: Principal Perspective
By Allen Sanderson
Now that school has started, we wanted to take this timely opportunity to highlight one of our clients: School Superintendents of Alabama. As Alabama’s association for school superintendents and their system leaders, the SSA gives these important figures in our education system a voice in the halls of government and is the only association in Alabama for all school superintendents and members of their leadership team. There are approximately 725 members, including 132 public school systems, individual, retired, associate and business members. Under the leadership of Executive Director Dr. Eric Mackey, SSA has proven a valuable addition to the discussion about the future of education in Alabama, fulfilling its mission of providing professional development for school superintendents and their leadership team and to serve as chief advocate for Alabama’s school children. In recent years, SSA has continued its work despite tough economic times, awarding several major scholarships annually that reinforce SSA’s primary purpose: to promote high quality public education throughout the state. In 2012, SSA gave $9,000 in student scholarships to students pursuing bachelor’s degrees in education as well as $4,000 in scholarships to teachers and administrators for graduate school programs. These scholarships are just one facet of the contribution SSA makes to Alabama’s education system. Another is its advocacy in the Alabama Legislature on behalf of the children and youth in every Alabama community who deserve a quality education. Through SSA, superintendents and school system leaders are helping policymakers make better funding and policy decisions when it comes to education. We at The Bloom Group are proud to help SSA accomplish its goals.
