Fairhope, Alabama
FINDS NEED FOR MORE TEACHERS
Fairhope's Educational Advisory Committee presented its findings to the city council recently; committee member Julia Sumerlin said they had been working since last March and had since "visited every school, met with teachers, administrators and students," and had "spent hours going over various reports, studies and budgets" evaluating the needs of local schools.
Sumerlin said as a result, the Committee had decided to recommend to the council to earmark $750,000 in the city's next budget (FY13) "to be used for 10 teacher units for 2 teachers at each of the 5 schools in the Fairhope community."
STATE FUNDING CUTS THE PROBLEM
Committee member Bob Riggs gave a overview of the bleak financial situation, citing funding cuts at state and local levels as the "nexus of the problem."
Riggs: "Its been a tumultuous time for funding education in Alabama and Baldwin County ... nexus of the problem is funding cuts by the state of Alabama. ... cuts in appropriations and also pro ration ... the cumulative effect is $50 million out of a budget of $250 million ... over the last 5 years."
Rigggs added that declines in local ad valorem (property) and unstable sales taxes added another "$15 million hit" for Baldwin County Schools.
"Cumulatively about $63 million has been reduced from a (2007) budget of about $250 million."
Riggs said the 85% of the school budget is in personnel costs, and people are the first to go when budgets are cut.
ENROLLMENT UP/SPENDING DOWN
Riggs said the data showed that over the past 5 years, school enrollment has increased about 6% but "at the same time our per pupil expenditures has declined 10%." He said in normal times a 6% rise in enrollment would have required 12 new teachers.
"A 6% rise in students; 10% decline in funding to support the students."
STAFF HEAVILY CUT ALREADY
Riggs went on to say that also in the past 5 years, staff at the 5 local schools has also been substantially reduced.
Riggs: "... we lost 61 certified positions ... teachers, counselors, librarians, assistant principals... a decrease of 19%." Riggs called that an "unsustainable development."
BALDWIN COUNTY FUNDING LOW
Riggs said that compared to other systems in the state Baldwin county "gets a D" when it comes to school funding, primarily due to the unusually low property taxes here.
Riggs: "Its absolutely shocking ... the Alabama state average (per pupil spending) is $8,738 ... we (Baldwin county) are $439 below that ... ."
SITUATION WORSENING?
Riggs concluded: "The challenge before us ... we're spending half the national average (per pupil) and below the Alabama average ... even below the Baldwin County average here in Fairhope (since Fairhope doesn't qualify for federal dollars: too affluent)."
"Lonnie (referring to Council President Mixon) you were an (naval) aviator ... we're getting ice on our wings ... losing air speed ... losing altitude ... only one inevitable conclusion ... unless there is immediate intervention."
Committee member Jim Kelen summarized: "Where are we going to go now ... I think we've got a whole lot of work to do ... our schools have to have real support ... not just talk about it ... right now ... its decision time."l
TO BE CONSIDERED BY FINANCIAL COMMITTEES
The proposal will now be considered by the city's FY13 budget committee (which has already been appointed) and then by the Financial Advisory Committee, which will make recommendations to the city council.
Council President Mixon cautioned all current city functions will need to be properly funded first; if any is leftover it could be used for schools.
The next budget year begins Oct. 1st.
Fairhope's Educational Advisory Committee presented its findings to the city council recently; committee member Julia Sumerlin said they had been working since last March and had since "visited every school, met with teachers, administrators and students," and had "spent hours going over various reports, studies and budgets" evaluating the needs of local schools.
Sumerlin said as a result, the Committee had decided to recommend to the council to earmark $750,000 in the city's next budget (FY13) "to be used for 10 teacher units for 2 teachers at each of the 5 schools in the Fairhope community."
STATE FUNDING CUTS THE PROBLEM
Committee member Bob Riggs gave a overview of the bleak financial situation, citing funding cuts at state and local levels as the "nexus of the problem."
Riggs: "Its been a tumultuous time for funding education in Alabama and Baldwin County ... nexus of the problem is funding cuts by the state of Alabama. ... cuts in appropriations and also pro ration ... the cumulative effect is $50 million out of a budget of $250 million ... over the last 5 years."
Rigggs added that declines in local ad valorem (property) and unstable sales taxes added another "$15 million hit" for Baldwin County Schools.
"Cumulatively about $63 million has been reduced from a (2007) budget of about $250 million."
Riggs said the 85% of the school budget is in personnel costs, and people are the first to go when budgets are cut.
ENROLLMENT UP/SPENDING DOWN
Riggs said the data showed that over the past 5 years, school enrollment has increased about 6% but "at the same time our per pupil expenditures has declined 10%." He said in normal times a 6% rise in enrollment would have required 12 new teachers.
"A 6% rise in students; 10% decline in funding to support the students."
STAFF HEAVILY CUT ALREADY
Riggs went on to say that also in the past 5 years, staff at the 5 local schools has also been substantially reduced.
Riggs: "... we lost 61 certified positions ... teachers, counselors, librarians, assistant principals... a decrease of 19%." Riggs called that an "unsustainable development."
BALDWIN COUNTY FUNDING LOW
Riggs said that compared to other systems in the state Baldwin county "gets a D" when it comes to school funding, primarily due to the unusually low property taxes here.
Riggs: "Its absolutely shocking ... the Alabama state average (per pupil spending) is $8,738 ... we (Baldwin county) are $439 below that ... ."
SITUATION WORSENING?
Riggs concluded: "The challenge before us ... we're spending half the national average (per pupil) and below the Alabama average ... even below the Baldwin County average here in Fairhope (since Fairhope doesn't qualify for federal dollars: too affluent)."
"Lonnie (referring to Council President Mixon) you were an (naval) aviator ... we're getting ice on our wings ... losing air speed ... losing altitude ... only one inevitable conclusion ... unless there is immediate intervention."
Committee member Jim Kelen summarized: "Where are we going to go now ... I think we've got a whole lot of work to do ... our schools have to have real support ... not just talk about it ... right now ... its decision time."l
TO BE CONSIDERED BY FINANCIAL COMMITTEES
The proposal will now be considered by the city's FY13 budget committee (which has already been appointed) and then by the Financial Advisory Committee, which will make recommendations to the city council.
Council President Mixon cautioned all current city functions will need to be properly funded first; if any is leftover it could be used for schools.
The next budget year begins Oct. 1st.