There are growing calls for the ouster of a state school board member. An online petition at Change.org seeking the removal of Ella Bell (D-Montgomery) had attracted more than 60,000 supporters by Tuesday. Bell sparked an uproar when she suggested moving special needs students to a separate school, as a way to raise test scores. Bell has since apologized to anyone offended by her remarks. But parents of special needs students, and others, say they want her off the board. If the petition reaches 75,000 supporters, it will be presented to Gov. Kay Ivey, who also sits on the board. The petition was started by Mary Catherine Hanson of Bessemer, who says her children, who are now grown, had received special education.
To see the petition, cut and paste the following address into your web browser:
https://www.change.org/p/alabama-state-dept-of-education-petition-to-have-ella-b-bell-removed-from-the-alabama-board-of-education-immediately