(a) The department shall be headed by and shall be under the direction, supervision, and control of an officer who shall be known and designated as the Secretary of Early Childhood Education. The secretary shall be responsible to the Governor for the administration of the department.

(b) The secretary shall be appointed by and shall hold office at the pleasure of the Governor.

(1) To be eligible for appointment to the office of secretary, a person shall provide proof of all of the following qualifications:

a. A master's degree, or completion of at least 36 hours of post baccalaureate course work, in early childhood education or childhood development.

b. Extensive experience in educational supervision and management in the areas of early childhood education encompassing birth to eight years of age, inclusive, school readiness, early care education, school improvement, and school administration or education administration.

(2) In addition to the qualifications for the office of secretary listed in subdivision (1), certification in education administration and supervision is preferred, but not required.

(c) Vacancies in the office of secretary for any reason shall be filled by the Governor.

(d) The salary of the secretary shall be fixed by the Governor at a sum comparable to salaries paid similar officers in state government.

(e) Before entering upon the discharge of duties, the secretary shall take the constitutional oath of office and shall execute to the State of Alabama a bond, to be approved by the Governor, in an amount to be fixed by the Governor, but not less than ten thousand dollars ($10,000), conditioned upon the faithful performance of his or her duties. The premiums on the bond shall be paid out of the State Treasury.

(f) The secretary shall devote full time to the official duties of the office and shall not hold another office under the government of the United States, or any other state, or of this state or of any political subdivision thereof, during his or her incumbency in the office. The secretary shall not hold any position of trust or profit, the conduct of which shall interfere or be inconsistent with his or her duties as secretary pursuant to this article.