In June of 2023, Act 2023-340 created the School Principal Leadership and Mentoring Development System for public K-12 administrators. The bill was designed to provide for a mentoring program for new principals and a continuing professional learning program for principals and assistant principals. A new principal is defined as one who is serving in as a first or second year principal. This program is in partnership with the Alabama State Department of Education and the Council for Leaders in Alabama Schools (CLAS).
All principals hired on or after July 1, 2024, must have a mentor for two years. Principal mentors will be hired in July 2024 with training beginning in August 2024. Principal mentors will begin working with principals at the earliest possible date in August.
Principal Mentors:
A principal mentor shall be selected based on successful experience as a school leader and commitment to developing principal mentees in school leadership. Selected mentors will be paid a stipend (amount TBD based on legislative funding) for attending in-person and online training. It is anticipated that initial training will be two full-days and on-going sessions will be provided throughout the year.
Mentoring will include monthly in-person and online visit with proteges. There will be a stipend for mentoring each protege (up to five assigned) which includes travel expenses.
If you have questions regarding this application or the mentoring program, please contact mentoring@clasleaders.org for assistance.