Jackie Zeigler announced her candidacy for reelection to the Alabama State Board of Education’s District 1 seat.
A former educator with 37 years of experience in Alabama public schools, Zeigler said she’ll continue bringing her experience, and understanding of the complex challenges currently facing public education in the state to the board.
“Serving as the representative for District One on the State Board of Education has been an extraordinary privilege; I am excited about the opportunity to continue this essential work,” Zeigler said. “Our students and schools deserve a State School Board dedicated to their success, and I am committed to ensuring that our educational system excels.”
Zeigler’s work in Alabama’s public schools began as a teacher at Dauphin Island’s Little Red School House in 1980. She later served as acting principal. In 1986, Zeigler moved to Maryvale Elementary School as a classroom teacher and Title One Coordinator. She became assistant principal at O’Rourke Elementary School in 1996 and an adjunct professor of education at Springhill College.
She worked for 14 years as the principal at Mary B. Austin Elementary, during which time the school achieved the National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence.
In 2016, Zeigler contested District 1 against incumbent Matthew Brown who was appointed by the governor. She won the seat and has held it ever since. In 2020 election, Zeigler secured 72.7% of the vote.
Zeigler played a role in the statewide campaign that defeated Amendment One in 2020, which preserved an elected state school board rather than an appointed one. Zeigler also promoted and passed a ban on Critical Race Theory in Alabama schools that received support from Gov. Kay Ivey and the majority of the state school board.
District One covers Baldwin, Escambia, Covington, Coffee, Conecuh, Crenshaw and Butler counties and much of western and southern Mobile County.
The Republican primary is March 5, 2024.
Grayson Everett is the state and political editor for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @Grayson270
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