Ala. Code § 41-4-291
The provisions of this article shall not apply to any county or city board of education, the education television commission, the postsecondary education system, or any public college or university. Upon request, the Department of Finance shall provide technical consultation and procurement services for telecommunications to any county or city board of education, the education television commission, the postsecondary education system, and public colleges and universities. The county and city boards of education, the education television commission, the postsecondary education system, and public colleges and universities shall continue to be provided in-state and out-of-state long distance service by the Telecommunications Division of the Department of Finance, so long as funding is provided to the Telephone Revolving Fund from the Education Trust Fund, and shall not be required to pay any additional charge for such service; however, any county or city board of education shall have the option of utilizing the telecommunications division for in-state and out-of-state long distance service only if reimbursement for actual costs are remitted to such division.
Ala. Code § 41-4-291 (1975)