Austin R. Meadows, who was Alabama’s longest-serving chief school officer, died early this month at the age of 88.
Mr. Meadows held the post during the turbulent years of desegregation. He is also remembered as a supporter of an amendment to the state’s constitution that earmarked state income taxes for education.
He was appointed to the state superintendency in 1946 by Gov. Chauncey Sparks to serve the final seven months of a predecessor’s term. He subsequently was elected to three full terms, serving from 1946-51, 1955-59, and 1963-67.
During his tenure, uniform testing of students in grades 8 and 11 was instituted, state-owned textbooks were issued to students for the first time, and appropriations were made for adult basic education.
