Ala. Code § 16-2-5

Any funds or appropriations which are available to the State Superintendent of Education, the State Board of Education or the Department of Education for use in operating, maintaining or providing for the expenses of the Department of Education shall be expended in accordance with an annual budget adopted by the State Board of Education upon recommendation of the State Superintendent of Education; provided, that the total amount of such budget shall not exceed the appropriations of funds available during that year. Such funds or appropriations shall be expended for the salaries and expenses of the executive, supervisory or clerical personnel and for other essential purposes, including compensation and expenses of the members of the State Board of Education in the discharge of their official duties as provided by law.