BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Tensions among members of the Alabama Educational Television Commission were high and on full display during the body’s Tuesday meeting.
Commissioners clashed over how to appoint new members to the Educational Foundation Authority Board, which oversees the fundraising arm of Alabama Public Television, and whether to allow public comments during commission meetings. This followed contentious meeting in September that drew widespread criticism and another in November in which the commission seemed more united in not going down the path of de-affilliating with PBS.
Chairman Ferris Stephens opened the meeting by asking commissioners to reappoint Douglas Ragland to the Foundation Authority Board. The vote in favor was unanimous.
Stephens then nominated former state Sen. Dick Brewbaker to serve on the same board, a move that appeared to surprise some commissioners. Brewbaker resigned from the Legislature in 2016 but has since run for Congress and regularly appears as a conservative radio commentator in Montgomery.
The Educational Foundation Authority Board is a nonprofit corporation created by state law to raise and spend money in support of educational programming. Commissioners are responsible for appointing its members.
State law calls for a 13-member board: One representative from each of Alabama’s seven congressional districts, five at-large members and the executive director of Alabama Public Television.
Board members serve four-year terms. All seven commissioners currently serve as board members, which is permitted under state law, but only two additional voting members are in place: Ragland and Johnny Curry. Alabama Public Television Executive Director Wayne Reid serves as a non-voting member.
It is unclear when the board last operated at full capacity or how vacancies are publicly noticed and filled. Alabama Daily News was unable to locate a current list of board members but found two vacancy notices posted on the Secretary of State’s website – one from 2023 and another for a vacancy effective Oct. 1, 2025.
Commissioner Pete Conroy asked to table Brewbaker’s nomination, saying he did not know Brewbaker and wanted the opportunity to meet with him. Stephens declined to delay the vote. Brewbaker was appointed on a 5-1 vote, with Conroy casting the sole dissenting vote.
Immediately after the vote, Stephens announced the creation of a nominating committee to fill future board vacancies, naming himself and commissioners William Green, Tijuana Adetunji and Les Barnett.
Later in the meeting, Conroy moved to nominate Anne Bloom to the Foundation Authority Board. Stephens said he would vote against the nomination, explaining that he wanted to meet Bloom first.
“Likewise,” Conroy responded, noting that this was the same reason he had asked to delay Brewbaker’s nomination. “I just don’t want our inconsistency to be too consistent,” he said.
Conroy also asked whether other commissioners had been informed in advance of Stephens’ intent to nominate Brewbaker. Stephens said he had contacted Commissioner Green and “a few others,” but did not specify who.
The two continued to spar over communication practices, with Conroy saying he prefers email to maintain a written record and Stephens responding that his phone is always available.
Transparency
Before the meeting concluded, Conroy made two additional motions: One to continue livestreaming commission meetings and another to allow public comments at each quarterly meeting.
The motion to continue live-streaming passed unanimously. The proposal to allow public comments prompted a longer debate.
“We did that at the last meeting and it was extremely successful, and we all learned a lot,” Conroy said. Commissioner Logan Glass seconded the motion, adding that the commission has a responsibility to hear from the public.
Barnett opposed the proposal, citing time constraints and arguing that only commissioners should speak during meetings. He said public commenters often represent “the vocal minority.”
“I have no idea if these people represent the minority or the majority,” Barnett said, gesturing toward the packed room at Alabama Public Television headquarters in Birmingham.
Glass, the newest commissioner, countered that public comments are reasonable, noting that they are standard practice for governing bodies across the state.
Stephens said he opposed allowing public comments because of their repetitive nature.
Conroy pushed back, saying, “I for one do not want to see a headline tomorrow that Alabama Public Television has rejected public comments.”
The audience applauded after the commission voted 4-2 to allow public comments. Stephens and Barnett voted no.
Commissioners agreed to consider rules about public comment at their next meeting, currently scheduled for April 21.
Reid told commissioners that staff are working to implement instructions outlined in a November letter from Gov. Kay Ivey.
In the letter, Ivey asked the commission to conduct an extended survey of Alabama voters “to ensure their voices are heard” and to develop a separation plan that would be available for public review for a substantial period before any vote is taken.
“The governor’s letter is what we’re going to go by,” Reid said.
Funding concerns
External Affairs Director Jack Williams briefed commissioners on developments in Congress, saying there are efforts – including by some Republicans – to restore funding for public television, though no clear path has emerged.
“I would be more surprised if we receive federal funds than if things stay the same,” Williams said.
Ivey requested $10.9 million for Alabama Public Television in her FY27 budget proposal, up from $10.7 million in the current fiscal year.
Trish Crain is a contract employee of the Alabama Public Television Educational Foundation.
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