The State Board of Education may remove for incompetency, immorality, misconduct in office or willful neglect of duty, any person appointed under the provisions of this title, not subject to the provisions of the state Merit System, upon making known to him in writing the charge against him and upon giving him an opportunity of being heard in person or by counsel in his own defense, upon not less than 10 days' notice. In case of vacancy due to any cause, the State Board of Education shall fill the vacancy, unless otherwise provided, and until a successor shall qualify.
Ala. Code § 16-3-25 (1975)