According to a report the new executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association sends his children to a private school in Montgomery for its religious education.
Political observers state that Henry C. Mabry's choice of schools could lead to a public relations problem. But they also say the reason he was hired should outweigh those concerns.
The AEA bills itself as the voice of public school teachers and employees.
Mabry last week was chosen by the AEA board of directors to succeed retiring AEA Executive Secretary Paul Hubbert pending successful contract negotiations.
During their 42 years at the helm of the AEA, Hubbert and assistant executive secretary Joe Reed built the organization into a powerful political force advocating for public education and its employees, about 100,000 teachers, support workers and administrators. Both said they were unaware of Mabry's school choice, but were not concerned by it.
“That's a board decision,” Hubbert said Monday. “I'm satisfied with it.”
Former two-time AEA President Nancy Worley said she also was unaware of the Mabrys' school choice.
Mabry said the decision to send his children to Holy Cross Episcopal School is a personal faith issue. He said they are able to attend chapel, which is not available in public schools. “They get good religious teachings that falls in line with our family belief,” said Mabry, who lives in Montgomery.
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