MONTGOMERY— School board members from across Alabama spent this fall doing what they
do best — showing up for their students — as they gathered for the Alabama Association of School
Boards’ (AASB) 2026 Fall District Meetings. Held throughout the state’s nine geographic districts, these
annual meetings allow school board members to connect with AASB leadership, share input on key
education issues and receive updates on statewide policy, while connecting with colleagues and
celebrating the work happening in public education across Alabama.
This year’s meetings carried special significance as many board members enjoyed their first opportunity
to meet AASB’s new Executive Director, Dr. Chad Holden. Dr. Holden joined the Association on July 1,
following the retirement of longtime Executive Director Sally Smith. For many, AASB’s District
Meetings were a chance to put a face to the Association’s newest leader and begin building relationships
that will shape how AASB serves local boards in the years ahead. His introduction also set the tone for
the rest of the agenda, opening the door for candid conversation between board members.
“The Fall District Meetings are one of the best opportunities we have to hear directly from the board
members we serve,” said Dr. Chad Holden, AASB Executive Director. “It was a privilege to introduce
myself and listen to what matters most to our members across every corner of the state. The input we
gathered in these meetings doesn’t just inform conversation — it directly shapes AASB’s legislative
agenda. Our job is to make sure that when we’re advocating at the State House, we’re speaking to the real
needs of school systems in every part of Alabama, urban and rural alike. This series is where that work
begins.”
In addition to working together to shape the road ahead for Alabama’s public schools, the 2026 District
Meetings were an opportunity to celebrate the individual and board accomplishments from the previous
training year. For only the second time since implementation of the School Board Governance
Improvement Act of 2012, AASB is pleased to celebrate that 100% of school board members met or
exceeded the requirement to complete required training, completing nearly 12,000 hours of
training during the 2025-2026 training year across 150 events; a tremendous investment in effective
governance and the students, families, and communities you serve. During the series of meetings, AASB
awarded 364 individual awards and 58 board awards and honored the District Superintendents of the Year
in their respective geographic districts.
“Success in Alabama’s public schools starts with strong, well-prepared leadership at the local level, and
this year’s award numbers prove just how committed our board members are to that work,” commented Dr. Holden. “Those stats aren’t just a number on a page. It’s thousands of hours when our board members chose to invest in becoming better advocates for the students, families and communities they serve.
Alabama’s students are better served because of leaders willing to do this work.”
Media Release/Rebecca W. Thomas, Director of Public Relations/AASB
