Gov. Bob Riley said last Thursday that he would push for charter-school legislation in Alabama. That way, Riley said, the state could compete for a chunk of the $4.35 billion in education funds that would become available as part of the Obama Race to the Top education program.

The next day, Paul Hubbert, executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association, unleashed a volley in his response to the Mobile Press-Register.

This sounds like a war of words between the governor and the education leader, who today sounds more like the union boss he is often accused of being.

Understand this: Were it not for Hubbert and the AEA, education in Alabama would be politically weaker and financially poorer. Hubbert and his organization have made positive contributions to the state and its children.

Generally, this page has supported him.

It is also clear that many in this state— Republicans mostly— want to break the power of the AEA and reduce Hubbert's effectiveness.

Generally, this page has opposed those efforts, though Hubbert's omnipotence and influence have obvious drawbacks.

However, in this case, the two sides should work together. Hubbert and Riley need to find a compromise.

Charter schools are not a fad, as the AEA leader claims. They have been around for years. They have been tested in 40 states and found to be good options when well regulated.

True, charter schools have fewer strings attached than public schools. But with sound legislation that requires charter schools to follow state curriculum guidelines, operate under the supervision of local school boards, and not discriminate based on race, ability or economic background, they will not be free to take public money and do what they like.

Instead, what charter schools can do is respond more readily to local situations; in other states, they have been particularly successful in low income areas). Charter schools also can set more flexible school day and year lengths and — a very big "and" — give principals more autonomy to assign, reassign, hire and fire teachers.

That last point seems to be the one that concerns Hubbert most. On that topic, he begins to act more like a union leader than an educator.

Hubbert needs to back off his blanket opposition to charter schools. Instead, he should use his legislative clout to help craft the best charter-school bill in the nation.

Hubbert argues that the best way to improve the state's public schools is to give them more money. This is a way to get federal dollars to help Alabama children. True, there is no guarantee that the state will get the money. The grants are competitive. But without charter schools and their positive influence, the state cannot compete.

Too often Alabama has given up without trying.

Don't let this be another of those times.