Alabama education officials have suspended the Bessemer City Schools Board of Education from regular meetings, a rare move that underscores the state’s expanded authority over local school systems and the ongoing intervention in the district.

The Alabama State Department of Education has suspended the elected Bessemer City Schools Board of Education from regular meetings indefinitely, citing the district’s ongoing state intervention and statutory authority granted under Alabama law.

Bessemer City Schools have been under state intervention since fall 2024, when the Alabama Board of Education assumed oversight of the district under the Educational Accountability and Intervention Act. As part of that intervention, the state appointed a Chief Administrative Officer with authority to act on behalf of the local board and superintendent in all matters.

Under state law, local board members serve in an advisory capacity during an intervention and may meet only when approved by the state superintendent or Chief Administrative Officer. State officials determined that the advisory meetings were not providing meaningful input and suspended participation in regular meetings until further notice.

State Superintendent Eric Mackey confirmed the board remains in office but no longer holds regular meetings, telling WBRC, “Meetings are suspended until further notice. They are still technically office holders subject to the law.”

Mackey has previously expressed concerns about governance in the district during the intervention. Speaking to reporters after an Alabama Board of Education meeting, he said there was still limited confidence in the local board’s leadership, adding, “We still don’t have a lot of confidence in the local board.”

Bessemer City Schools serves over 3000 students across its schools.

State officials have not indicated when, or if, the local board will regain authority to conduct regular meetings. The intervention remains in place as the state continues oversight of the district.