Fairhope, Alabama
THREE K-6'S POSSIBLE?
District School Board Representative Cecil Christenberry told the Times he favors the recommendation of the Baldwin School Task Force for conversion of Fairhope Elementary and Intermediate schools into kindergarten through six grades instead, to make better use of the total classroom space available in this feeder pattern.
The Elementary School is nearing capacity now.
Since the Larry J. Newton school south of town, already a K-6, is being under-utilized -- the main problem will be figuring out how to balance attendance between the three with minimal disruptions for the children and their parents.
The old Intermediate school on the corner of Bishop Road and Fairhope Avenue may need to be refurbished.
CITY COUNCIL ON BOARD?
At their last two worksessions, the mayor and council began discussing passing a resolution of support for the reconfiguration, but made no final decision.
The matter came up briefly at a Education Advisory Committee meeting two week ago as well: when a member asked about it, a consultant from the Akrobos Group said that converting to K-6's is the trend statewide now, but the primary problem here is that teachers need more collaboration time -- if entering the top ten systems in the state academically is their goal.
Having smaller class sizes may help free up more time for teacher meetings though.
The consultants were hired to recommend ways to get into the top ten in the state, not deal specifically with growth issues directly; the EAC is expected to make a recommendation to the city council in the near future.
SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT REFERENDUM TOO?
Christenberry also told the Times he favors considering any way the system could raise more funding, but he thought the November general election was too early for a voter referendum to form a special tax district for the city's feeder pattern.
Citizens would have to vote to impose a new 3 mil property tax in the new district.
Special districts are also under consideration for the Gulf shores/Orange Beach and Elberta feeder pattern areas too, according to media reports.
Mayor Kant and most council members have indicated support for the referendum (letting people decide) but not if they personally would support it.
A special tax district is one of the four options recommended by the Akrobos consultants being considered by the EAC as well; about $600K more per year will be needed (to hire more substitute teachers), assuming all other funding remains constant.
The committee was to hold a special meeting last week for further discussions on the matter.
THREE K-6'S POSSIBLE?
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| Christenberry |
The Elementary School is nearing capacity now.
Since the Larry J. Newton school south of town, already a K-6, is being under-utilized -- the main problem will be figuring out how to balance attendance between the three with minimal disruptions for the children and their parents.
The old Intermediate school on the corner of Bishop Road and Fairhope Avenue may need to be refurbished.
CITY COUNCIL ON BOARD?
At their last two worksessions, the mayor and council began discussing passing a resolution of support for the reconfiguration, but made no final decision.
 |
| April 2016 Fairhope council session |
The matter came up briefly at a Education Advisory Committee meeting two week ago as well: when a member asked about it, a consultant from the Akrobos Group said that converting to K-6's is the trend statewide now, but the primary problem here is that teachers need more collaboration time -- if entering the top ten systems in the state academically is their goal.
Having smaller class sizes may help free up more time for teacher meetings though.
The consultants were hired to recommend ways to get into the top ten in the state, not deal specifically with growth issues directly; the EAC is expected to make a recommendation to the city council in the near future.
SPECIAL TAX DISTRICT REFERENDUM TOO?
 |
| April 2016 EAC meeting |
Christenberry also told the Times he favors considering any way the system could raise more funding, but he thought the November general election was too early for a voter referendum to form a special tax district for the city's feeder pattern.
Citizens would have to vote to impose a new 3 mil property tax in the new district.
Special districts are also under consideration for the Gulf shores/Orange Beach and Elberta feeder pattern areas too, according to media reports.
Mayor Kant and most council members have indicated support for the referendum (letting people decide) but not if they personally would support it.
A special tax district is one of the four options recommended by the Akrobos consultants being considered by the EAC as well; about $600K more per year will be needed (to hire more substitute teachers), assuming all other funding remains constant.
The committee was to hold a special meeting last week for further discussions on the matter.
Comments
All I know is that we don't need Fairhope to run its own school system or start some special tax district. The city council should stick to what Fairhope does best - growing flowers and having parades.
sure, lets just live in the past and keep the status quo then ... more and more overcrowding on the horizon and less funding... with the education geniuses in Bay Minette at the helm! ... who made the mistakes (Newton School) that created the mess in the first place ... gulp .. .!
... and out of towners used to free handouts controlling us ... telling the real people of Fairhope what we ought to do .. or not to ...
anyone else?