School Funding Gets Tentative Approval

Fairhope, Alabama

CONTINGENT UPON CONTRACT WITH SCHOOL BOARD

The city council gave its unanimous approval "in principle" of the Educational Advisory Committee's recommendations for disbursing $350,000 evenly among the 5 local Baldwin County Schools -- mostly for science and technology aids and equipment.

The council authorized the Mayor to negotiate a contract with the Baldwin School Board to ensure the money is spent only upon the Committee's recommendations -- and that  county school funding not be supplanted (cut back) elsewhere.

Council member Brewer made the motion to accept: "We accept these ... as submitted by the EAC ... as presented to us pursuant to having the Resolution and contract drawn up by the mayor  (by the next council meeting)."

Councilman Burrell: "It will be a contract between Fairhope and the Board of Education (in writing)."

Councilman Boone: "If I don't see the thing in writing ... then I'm not going to approve any money ... until I see it... ."

Burrell: "You will have the opportunity to vote on that."

NOT AN ENTITLEMENT

Council President Burrell said later that he thought this was a sound investment but it is "not an entitlement": need should be evaluated every year.

"I hope we get enough return on this to continue it every year."

Councilman Ford read a statement from the Mayor (who was away on city business in Montgomery) to the effect that he (Mayor) supported spending the money now,  but in the future  the city would only commit to "do what we can" -- given changing local economic circumstances and city finances.

Ford; "He's for it ... but its not an entitlement."


Comments

Anonymous said…
Best to get everything in writing when dealing with the Schol board politicians ...
Anonymous said…
There seems to never be enough money for schools , never will be.
Anonymous said…
The relatively small amount spent on education versus our military is shocking to the conscience so please save me the "education costs too much" line. If we can spend money to educate some Iraqi or Afghani kid, certainly we can spend money to educate our own.
Anonymous said…
Never enough money for anything "government", & if this council wants 're election, they will agree to another teaming of the taxpayer as a bottomless pit while campaigning. Our "penny" tax is in the hands of our state legislature (local) you think when it comes up for a decision to renew, they'll vote no?