Much Ado About Nothing

On August 11, the Alabama School Board selected Michael Sentance as the new Alabama State
School Superintendent. I voted for Mr. Sentance with the expectation that his proven success in
Massachusetts would enable him to propel Alabama student achievement to heights before unseen.
For example, in the fall of 2001 when Sentance left his position as senior education advisor to the
governor, the states upward trajectory had begun. It culminated by 2007 when Massachusetts ranked
first on the NAEP scores on all four assessments - a status never previously attained. He has been called
one of the nations most competent K-12 leaders! Since 2010 he has valiantly objected to the misguided
common core regimen both for Massachusetts and for the nation an agenda that sent Alabama from
mid-ranking to dead last in 2015 among the states.
But some Alabamians have fallen for inaccurate and inflammatory rhetoric being circulated by
an Alabama blogger who has never been an educator. They have even questioned Mr. Sentances
decision not to spend the money to renew his law license. Currently, accusations are also coming from a
state legislator.
During the vetting process for all the superintendent applicants, the Alabama Department of
Education legal department checked out this aspect of Mr. Sentances resume. As they reported to
State Board Members, they called the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers and learned that although
his license was listed as Administratively Suspended there was no complaint against him he simply
did not pay his dues. I also followed up with Mr. Sentance about this. He explained that he did not need
his bar license in either Massachusetts or Pennsylvania and let them lapse. Conversations with both the
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania bar associations confirmed that Mr. Sentance had never had any
disciplinary action taken against him by those bar associations.
Again, Mr. Sentances law license was administratively suspended because he decided to stop
practicing law. There was no other reason for this suspension. This is just what happens when attorneys
stop practicing law; most stop paying for a license.
I am very grateful that Mr. Sentances passion for education took him away from the traditional
practice of law. Massachusetts students benefited and so will Alabama students and parents and
teachers and ultimately our states economy. I welcome his expertise and his passion.
To borrow from William Shakespeare, this is Much Ado About Nothing. We need to move
forward with Alabama education and all work together
Betty Peters
State School Board Member, District 2
(334) 794-8024

Letter from Michael Sentence to Alabama School Board

It has come to my attention that an individual is raising questions given my status in
Massachusetts with the Board of Bar Overseers (BBO), the governing body for attorneys in the
state.
My status is listed as "Administratively Suspended". The reason is simply that I declined to file
with the BBO. I haven't been engaged in the practice of law since leaving the Attorney General's
office in 1990. I don't do wills, trusts, civil or criminal cases or real estate work. Nothing.
My work in analyzing policy, writing memoranda or legislation, and developing reform
strategies does not require a law license. A few years ago, I simply stopped filing my fee and
paperwork. Continuing to file as an attorney conveyed no benefit and was simply a cost. So I
stopped. There is nothing more to it than that.
I was asked about this during the early vetting process by the general counsel. It was conveyed to
me that my explanation was confirmed with the Board of Bar Overseers.
I do not hold myself out as an attorney and no longer list any professional associations on my
resume although I certainly did when my license was active.
If anyone has any questions, I would happy to respond.
Michael Sentance