Bibb Schools Race: Lightsey vs Cotner

0:00In Bibb County, Alabama, two Republican candidates, Lane Lightsea and Kevin Cotner, are battling it out for school superintendent in the May. Nineteenth primary. The winter cruise is uncontested into the fall general election, so this vote picks the next leader for the district. Both zero in on teacher shortages as the biggest headache, with folks retiring or bailing left and right. Lightsea points to funding squeezes, cutting teacher slots, and wants to hunt down every grant to plug the gaps. Cotner says, it's not just cash get boots on the ground in classrooms to really get what teachers need and keep them around. They're both pushing local recruiting, hyping Bibb's sweet spot between Tuscaloosa and Birmingham as a prime spot to live and raise kids. Tap universities, career fairs, and let current staff spread the word. For special ed teachers, a statewide crunch, they call for local support, like certification help, while lobbying the state for more funds. White budgets mean kids and staff come first, no slashing personnel, lights the eyes community

1:03aid and grants to cover classroom basics. Success looks like grads college, or career ready, packing dual credits and trade skills. On tech, dial it back for hands on teaching, especially with young ones getting hooked too easy. As May 19th, Bib voters hold the key to steering these schools through shortages and funding fights. Stay tuned for who steps up to lead. The charge. Don't worry with the story, that's your Birmingham News today update, AI powered and always on.