Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaks to Alabama State Board of Education members in the Gordon Persons Building after the Alabama State Board of Education meeting on July 8, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama State Department of Education is considering a change to qualifications for child nutrition directors. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey speaks to Alabama State Board of Education members in the Gordon Persons Building after the Alabama State Board of Education meeting on July 8, 2025, in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama State Department of Education is considering a change to qualifications for child nutrition directors. (Anna Barrett/Alabama Reflector)
The Alabama Department of Education plans to change the requirements for hiring directors for the state’s Child Nutrition Program.
Currently, a child nutrition program director must have a bachelor’s degree in food and nutrition, food service management, or home economics; a minimum of 1,400 hours in compensated food management or an approved alternative and 15 hours of professional development.
The proposed changes would only require candidates to have a high school diploma, three years of food service management experience, state approved training and a level four certificate from the School Nutrition Association. The aim, said State Schools Superintendent Eric Mackey on Thursday, is to make it easier for school districts with less than 2,500 students to hire directors.
“One of the big issues is, especially in small school districts, they may have somebody who’s really good, who has been the high school cafeteria manager for forever, but she doesn’t have a college degree and therefore doesn’t qualify for a promotion,” Mackey said.
Under the proposed changes, Child Nutrition Program directors in school districts with 2,500 students or more will still be required to have a valid Alabama Professional Child Nutrition Program Director Certificate issued by the state department and a bachelor’s degree.
The Child Nutrition Program isn’t limited to serving meals during the academic year. In addition to providing breakfast and lunch, ALSDE also oversees weekend, nighttime and summer feeding programs.
“It’s not just school lunch. School lunch is a big piece of it, but it’s a huge operation that provides for many families whose children are getting most of their meals through our department,” Mackey said.
According to the Alabama Department of Public Health, Alabama is the fifth poorest state in the nation and 23% of children in the state face food insecurity with COVID-19 contributing to an increase in numbers.
The proposal to change the requirements will be considered for the following two meetings.
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...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 8 above expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, until 10 AM CST
Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9 PM Monday to
9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 AM CST MONDAY...
...COLD WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO 9 AM
CST TUESDAY...
* WHAT...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, very cold wind chills
as low as 2 above expected. For the second Cold Weather Advisory,
very cold temperatures as low as 8 above expected.
* WHERE...A portion of central Alabama.
* WHEN...For the first Cold Weather Advisory, until 10 AM CST
Monday. For the second Cold Weather Advisory, from 9 PM Monday to
9 AM CST Tuesday.
* IMPACTS...Frostbite and hypothermia will occur if unprotected skin
is exposed to these temperatures. An extended period of
subfreezing temperatures could cause pipes to burst.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves.
Keep pets indoors as much as possible.
Make frequent checks on older family, friends, and neighbors. Ensure
portable heaters are used correctly. Do not use generators or grills
inside.
To prevent freezing and possible bursting of pipes they should be
wrapped, drained, or allowed to drip slowly.
&&
Temperatures will fall below freezing tonight across all of
Central Alabama with residual moisture on local roadways. This will
lead to the possibility of hazardous travel in some areas. Black
ice may create slick spots on some local roads...bridges and
overpasses. Please use extra caution if you have to travel.
Currently in Selma
31°
Cloudy
63° / 31°
12 AM
30°
1 AM
29°
2 AM
28°
3 AM
27°
4 AM
26°
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