1. (a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the K-12 Technology and Cybersecurity Leadership Act.

2. (b)

   1. (1) The position of technology coordinator in public K-12 schools is renamed technology director and must be filled by an employee of the local board of education on a 12-month contract. Any reference to the term technology coordinator in this code or other document shall be interpreted as a reference to a technology director. The position may not be filled by a contractor nor the local superintendent of education.

   2. (2) The minimum qualifications for an individual hired or assigned to serve as a technology director after October 1, 2024, shall include professional training and work experience commensurate with the position’s responsibilities, including:

      1. a. A degree in a technology-related curriculum from a regionally accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education;
      2. b. A degree in another field from a regionally accredited two-year or four-year institution of higher education and full-time work experience in a technology support or management position; or
      3. c. A diploma from a regionally accredited high school with at least one current certification in industry recognized technologies including, but not limited to, networking, cybersecurity, or data management, and full-time work experience in a technology support or management position.
   3. (3) School systems unable to fill the position with a candidate meeting the minimum qualifications may request a waiver from the State Superintendent of Education.

3. (c)

   1. (1) The Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology, a professional organization, shall establish and administer a professional development program for technology directors in public K-12 school systems.

   2. (2) The professional development program shall provide a mandatory orientation with the Chief Technology Officer Academy and Continuing Education Units program established by the Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology and shall address all of the following:

      1. a. Roles and responsibilities;
      2. b. Laws, ethics, and policies;
      3. c. Data management and governance;
      4. d. Teaching and learning;
      5. e. Information technology management and cybersecurity; and
      6. f. Technology planning and budgeting.
   3. (3) The Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology shall routinely review and update the program.

4. (d)

   1. (1) Technology directors shall satisfactorily complete an orientation program and annual continuing education units as follows:

      1. a. Newly hired or appointed technology directors shall complete the chief technology officer academy training program within 24 months of beginning service in the position.
      2. b. All other technology directors shall complete 12 in-person contact hours of continuing education unit credits for each fiscal year.
   2. (2) Continuing education unit hours shall be offered or preapproved by the Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology program.
   3. (3) The Alabama Leaders in Educational Technology shall maintain records for the professional development program and verify completion annually to the State Department of Education.

(Act 2024-444, §1.)