School Committee Wants Better Co-operation Among Principals

Fairhope, Alabama

LACK OF COORDINATION A PROBLEM

Council member Brewer reported that several members of the city's Educational Advisory Committee have become frustrated due to lack of co-operation from two of the local school principals --concerning how city funds are used to supplement local schools; and the lack of participation by the local school board member.

One committee member, Henry Clark has resigned -- and at least one other was contemplating doing the same.

EAC BEING BYPASSED?

Brewer: "... a couple of principals feel ... they can come to city hall and ask for things they need without going to the EAC ... there doesn't seem to be a real good spirit of co-operation ... ."

Brewer cited the cities of Gulf Shores, Orange Beach and Daphne as examples of how school principals and others have been working together to come up with an overall plan for their cities.

Mayor Kant said that in the past some individual schools have come directly to the mayor/council to seek funding for items such as sports facilities, sidewalks, security measures, etc. (Elementary principal Terry Beasley was specifically mentioned.)

Kant had previously reported that the city also provides many in-kind services -- such as maintaining their athletic fields -- costing city taxpayers about $500,000/year. (Kant specifically mentioned elementary school principal Terry Beasley.)

Council member Burrell also mentioned the extensive in-kind contributions made by the city -- and questioned whether the Board of Education was adequately compensating Fairhope's schools.

Burrell: "We provide them a football stadium, baseball fields ... we maintain them . Does the BCBOE make that up to us? Are we getting everything that's due to us? I would have that conversation with Dr. Lee."

OVERALL PLAN NEEDED?

Brewer: "The bottom line is ... we spend a lot of money on our schools ... it needs to be more thoughtful ... more of an overall plan ... to get more bang for our buck ... I'd like all requests to go through this committee even if they're not education related ... ."

"If each principal feels they can come up here and ask for money for some pet project ... not keeping with the overall plan ... we're never going to achieve our goals ... ."

Council member Mueller agreed: "If we're going to have this committee, we should use it ... all of them (principals) should go through that control point  to us ... ."

RECREATION BOARD INVOLVED TOO

Planned Soccer Complex

Mayor Kant said that school recreation needs have traditionally been handled through the city's recreation committee.

Kant: "We need to talk to the Recreation Committee and EAC to see which things get sent where."

Council member Brewer reiterated the need for  better overall planning: "The right hand needs to know what the left is doing ... if one school goes to the Rec. Board and is getting $300K ... its all coming from the same pot."


The EAC is asking for $750,000 from the city for the 5 local schools next year, the same as last year. (Last year they ultimately received only half that amount)

Unless the policy is changed, that amount is on top of individual requests, such as the planned construction of the new soccer complex on the city's Manley Rd. property (pictured) --  just east of the high and intermediate schools. 

FURTHER COMMENTS

Brewer and Burrell clarified their comments later:

Brewer:

"The principals haven't been accustomed or required to work together in the past to develop programs of instruction or common goals that link K-12 in the Fairhope feeder pattern. Also, in the past, certain principals have, for whatever reason, been able to pick up the phone and call city hall whenever they felt they needed something that the city could help with. What that leads to is inequities within our own feeder pattern, but even more importantly, it keeps us from having a cohesive and well-thought out plan for our schools.

Most of the principals in our feeder pattern "get" what we're trying to accomplish here, and are excited about the possibilities. However, we need to have 100% of the principals, as well as support from our own BCBE representative, on board if the city is going to continue to support our schools at the level in which we supported them this fiscal year. There must be accountability, which means there must be cooperation from the beginning.

I'm not yet certain that athletic subsidies should pass through the EAC, but there certainly needs to be better communication between the principals/BOE/city regarding any and all City of Fairhope taxpayer funds being allocated to Baldwin County schools.

This only makes good sense so that we can ensure that the funds we are expending are in keeping with the BCBOE's plans for the Fairhope schools, that the Fairhope schools are working in concert with one another to collectively ensure the best possible educational outcomes, and that the distribution of funds is fair and equitable and serves the greater good."

Burrell:

"I don’t see the EAC as having a controversy.  I also don’t perceive there is competition between sports and academics.  What I see happening is that when the schools need money for sports in the form of in-kind donations from the city, i.e. football field, baseball field, etc. the principal has traditionally simply called the mayor and/or the recreation department.  This is not uncommon in Baldwin County.  Recently, with the creation of the EAC, the EAC has studied the needs from an academic standpoint.  From my perspective, the principals have been involved, but it’s not as simple as picking up the phone and requesting an in-kind donation.  I think what we are seeing is not a controversy, nor is it a competition for funds.  We are seeing some growing pains as a result of the EAC’s involvement in the process.  This may continue for some time as the EAC continues to put together its plan for the betterment of all Fairhope schools.  This may also shed light on the need for a balance between academic and recreational needs."