Education retirees hear from state rep
Columnists, COLUMNS--FEATURE SPOT, Opinion, Z - TOP HOME
 By  Staff Reports Published 
4:39 pm Monday, November 13, 2023

Education retirees hear from state rep

Guest speaker Rep. Jamie Kiel kicked off the Franklin County Education Retirees Association meetings for the new calendar year Oct. 18. The meeting took place at the Russellville First Methodist Church ministry center.

Kiel said that more than 1,000 pieces of legislation were introduced, but only a third passed. He discussed some of the more prominent bills.

  • The Literacy Act is intended to improve reading outcomes for students across Alabama. This law states that all third-grade students must demonstrate sufficient reading skills for promotion to fourth grade beginning with the 2023-2024 school year. In accordance with the law, all kindergarten through third-grade students receive an Alabama State Department of Education approved reading assessment.
  • The Legislature provided funding to assist with the Baby Box program. There is one in Decatur and one in Mobile. The Department of Human Resources is the lead agency offering a Baby Box to all expecting and new parents in the state. The goal is to provide parents with the education and resources needed to ensure a safe sleep environment for their infants.
  • A Fentanyl penalties bill provides mandatory sentencing guidelines for anyone that sells, makes, delivers or possesses more than one gram of fentanyl. It will also impose additional penalties for any subsequent violations.
  • In addition to the regular session, two special sessions were held in July to redraw the Alabama Congressional map to meet the representation for Black voters as required by the U. S. Supreme Court. Kiel said his district remains the same.

When asked about the possibility of expanding Medicare in Alabama, money for the Trust Fund or retirees receiving the Cost of Living Advance in the 2024 legislative session, he said there was little hope because of inflation. The good news is there will be no proration for schools. One major concern is the passing of school vouchers in the 2024 session.

District I Director Melba Wiegand also attended the meeting and gave greetings from the AERA Staff.  She encouraged members to be watchful for scams as elders are prime targets. She reminded members to enroll at least two new members this year to meet the AERA statewide community service project of increasing membership.

Sandy Gibson presided over the meeting. She reported a total for the group of 113,630 community volunteer service hours over the past year and encouraged members to continue to submit their hours at each meeting.

Elizabeth Daniel reported the project for this year will be the Russellville Coalition for the Homeless. Members are encouraged to bring items to each meeting. Gibson serves on the AERA State Legislative Committee and encouraged members to read the AERA Voice magazine for updated information.

A potluck luncheon followed, and membership dues were collected. Yearly membership dues are $12, and associate member dues are $5, for the year. This is the time of the year to join so you can enjoy good fellowship and keep abreast of the benefits for retirees.

Also on Franklin County Times
Thorpe to play at Blue Mountain Christian
High School Sports, News, Russellville, ...
Brannon King For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE – Brennon Thorpe made his plans official to attend Blue Mountain Christian University and play baseball for the Toppers during a recent s...
Russellville High Class of 1967 gathers, reminisces
Columnists, News, Opinion, ...
HERE AND NOW
July 16, 2025
You can’t really go back to the good old days of high school, but you can pay them a visit now and then. That’s exactly what the RHS Class of 1967 has...
Former Cypress Lakes official to lead Guntersville State Park
Lifestyles, News
Bernie Delinski For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
GUNTERSVILLE — Heath Puckett had an Auburn University degree and golf course superintendent certification in his pocket when he arrived at Cypress Lak...
European travel builds bonds across cultures
Lifestyles, News, Russellville, ...
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELLVILLE -- A group of Franklin County travelers spent nine days this summer walking through catacombs, exploring castles and standing in places w...
Little Free Library welcomes readers in East Franklin
Lifestyles, News, Phil Campbell
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
PHIL CAMPBELL — Eleven-year-old Aiden Hall is an avid reader, but he doesn’t just want to read books. He also wants to share them, and the way he deci...
King becomes elementary curriculum director
Lifestyles, Russellville
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
RUSSELVILLE — Molly King says every child can learn, though not necessarily in the same way or on the same day — a belief she plans to carry into her ...
New Junior Leaders begin their training
Franklin County, News
María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
July 16, 2025
FRANKLIN COUNTY — Forty-two high school students from across Franklin County are beginning 10 months of hands-on leadership training and community ser...
Fire destroys 2-story garage, guest suite
Main, News, Russellville, ...
Kevin Taylor For the FCT 
July 16, 2025
R U S S E L LV I L L E – Jason Gist leaned against the wall of his home with a look of disgust while dozens of firefighters worked to extinguish a fir...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Stories
July 4, 2025Augusto Simon Diaz, 42, of Russellville, passed away July 4. Visitation and funeral were held at Spry Memorial Chapel on July 12 from 2pm ...
July 16, 2025
July 8, 2025Jamie Kerby Cummings, 41, of Russellville, passed away on July 8. Visitation took place July 13, at Spry Memorial Chapel from 1 pm to 3pm....
July 16, 2025
July 11,2025Julie “JuJu” Welch Black, 63, of Russellville, passed away on July 11.Graveside service was held at 1pm on July 13, at Belgreen Cemetery w...
July 16, 2025
July 9, 2025Scott Noel Benford, age 58, of Muscle Shoals, passed away on July 9. Visitation was held at Pinkard Funeral Home in Russellville on July 1...
July 16, 2025