Amendment 2: Consolidation of County School Systems
Statewide — all of Alabama
General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026
- Referred to the ballot by the Alabama Legislature as House Bill 380 (Act 2026-378), sponsored by Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur). The House passed it on March 3, 2026 and the Senate on April 8, 2026. Alabama has no citizen initiative; the Legislature refers amendments to voters under Sections 284 and 285 of the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, and a majority of those voting on the question approves.[1][2][3]
The question on the ballot
Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 2022, to provide a process for the creation of a consolidated county school system by merging two or more contiguous county boards of education; to require the State Board of Education to conduct an impact study on the potential effects of the consolidation; to require publication of the impact study; to provide a procedure for protesting a proposed consolidation of two or more county school systems; and to require the State Board of Education to adopt rules. Proposed by Act 2026-378.[1][2]
The amendment would add a section to the Alabama Constitution letting two or more contiguous county boards of education agree, by formal resolution, to consolidate under one multi-county board of education, with the resolution addressing debts, how consolidation occurs, board operation and members' roles. The State Board of Education must first conduct an impact study (students and families, educational quality, programs, staff, facilities, transportation, finances and taxes, community identity, governance) and post it online at least 30 days before the resolution is adopted. If within 30 days after adoption 25 percent of the qualified electors in any of the affected systems submit a written protest, the consolidation can proceed only if approved by a majority of voters in each affected county (and, per the Fair Ballot Commission, an overall majority of votes cast across the affected counties) at the next general election. The State Board of Education must adopt implementing rules, and the Legislature may pass laws to implement approved mergers. The Fair Ballot Commission's statement says: "There are no costs or taxes associated with Amendment 2."[1][2]
A YES vote means
The Alabama Constitution is changed to create a process for contiguous county school boards to merge into one multi-county school system, subject to a State Board of Education impact study and a voter referendum if 25 percent of electors in an affected system protest.
A NO vote means
The Alabama Constitution is not changed: it continues to contain no process for merging county boards of education (the Fair Ballot Commission notes each county board currently operates independently).
The law today
Each county has a board of education that operates independently, and the Alabama Constitution contains no process for merging county boards (Fair Ballot Commission). The Alabama Reflector reports that lawmakers approved a separate bill applying the same principle to schools within a city.[2][4]
Official fiscal estimate
The Fair Ballot Commission states: "There are no costs or taxes associated with Amendment 2." Sponsor Rep. Terri Collins has said mergers could reduce administrative spending; Alabama Association of School Boards executive director Chad Holden has said transportation costs might increase.[2][4]
Arguments made for
- Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), the sponsor, said after the House vote: "They could join with another board, or two or even three," and "They could combine some of that administration and they could put more money back in the classroom."[3]
- Rep. Terri Collins (R-Decatur), the sponsor, told the Alabama Reflector: “What this would allow them to do is not to lose their system, it would allow them to combine their board with other county boards, particularly some of our small counties that are less than 1,000 students in the whole county,” and, “Therefore, they could put less money in administration.”[4]
Arguments made against
- Rep. Curtis Travis (D-Tuscaloosa) said during House debate that he has concerns about the bill's impact on rural communities: "I can take my system in Hale County. For instance, we have two high schools, two middle schools, two elementary schools and a career [and technical education] building. But then my system in Greene County has one high school, one middle school and one elementary school. So if you try to combine those systems, how would you balance it?"[3]
- Kim Bailey, president of the League of Women Voters of Alabama, which opposes the amendment, said: “The threshold is 25% of electors, which many times, you don’t even have that many people come out to vote.”[4]
Research notes & limits
The Alabama Secretary of State's page of Fair Ballot Commission ballot statements (sos.alabama.gov/alabama-votes/voter/ballot-measures/statewide) lists exactly four statewide amendments for the Nov. 3, 2026 general election, numbered 1-4 in this order; the question text is the description in the enrolled Act, confirmed against the Commission's ballot statement (which adds "Proposed by Act 2026-xxx"). Alabama issues no voter pamphlet and no registered ballot-measure committees were found; the arguments are two legislators' floor statements as reported by the Alabama Reflector (original page loaded). Travis's statement is a concern about the bill rather than a formal opposition position. Roll-call counts are omitted because the official Act shows only passage dates. Per the Alabama Reflector (Oct. 8, 2026), the Alabama Education Association and the Alabama Association of School Boards have each declined to take a public position on Amendment 2. No campaign committees or finance filings were found.
Sources · 4
Researched 2026-10-19. Green citations are official government records.
- 1.House Bill 380 (2026 Regular Session), enrolled · Alabama Legislature Official record
- 2.Fair Ballot Commission ballot statement for Statewide Amendment 2 (Nov. 3, 2026) · Alabama Fair Ballot Commission (via Alabama Secretary of State) · 2026-08 Official record
- 3.Bill allowing public county school board consolidation passes Alabama House · Alabama Reflector · 2026-03-04 News report
- 4.Alabama amendment would authorize county school board mergers · Alabama Reflector · 2026-10-08 News report