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HomeMy WebLinkAbout02-01-2010 Regular MeetingCommittee: Date & Time: Place: Subject: Public Meeting Notice Fairhope School Feasibility Study Committee Monday, February 1, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Delchamps Room 161 North Section Street Fairhope School Feasibility Study Notice must be stamped, dated and initialed before posted on bulletin board. ~ DATE , ~{f_ tvlltrz~ SIGNATURE STATE OF ALABAMA COUNTY OF BALDWIN )( )( The School Feasibility Study Advisory Committee met at 2 :00 p .m ., City Hall, Delchamps Room , 161 North Section Street, Fairhope , Alabama 36532 , on Monday, 1 February 2010 . Present were: Debbie Quinn , Chairman Members : Mike Lucci, Amanda VanderHeyden and Terri Bishop , and Mayor Kant. Liaison Members : Lonnie Mixon, Gregg Mims , Lisa Hanks , Nancy Wilson , Chuck Zunk, and Bob Callahan. Debbie Quinn called the meeting to order at 2:00 p .m. All members were asked to give an introduction and state how he or she could help with this study . She introduced Dr. Ira Harvey who will be conducting the feasibility study for the City of Fairhope . Dr. Harvey gave a brief biography of his background and consultant company. He also mentioned other cities that had his company perform a feasibility study. It is a state law that every municipality reaching 5,000 shall become a separate school system. The study will be a City Council work product in a pdf format. Mayor Kant asked about districts and whether or not the districts would include the corporate limits or outside. Dr. Harvey replied there are no districts, just school systems in Alabama. There are two tax districts -district one and district two. The City of Fairhope 's munic ipality boundaries is the tax district. You must prepare a resolution forming a school system with a five member board . The boundaries are up to the board , not the City Council. The district's school ad valorem tax is based on the system tax district. There is a liability accepting more students other than the tax district. The City of Fairhope has a 12 mils ad valorem tax. If you have 10 percent of the kids, you get 10 percent of the tax . Mayor Kant mentioned having 2,000 versu s 4,000 children and he was w orried about the schools. Dr. Harvey replied the schools within the district after the separation are City assets along with the debt. The City would also be responsible for the employees and staff at the schools. The board will be responsib le for finances. If you are not happy with the separation or change your mind, there can be a resorption to the County per state law. Dr. Harvey stated he would need attendance records for the municipal boundaries ; residents attending other schools; from private schools that may show up; and home school. He asked; what school systems would you like to be like or be your model schools. What are your aspirations? School Feasibility Study Advisory Committee Monday, 1 February 2010 Page-2- Mayor Kant replied to look at the top 10 and the ones who make the best grades . We need to have dollars to keep schools at least as good as our schools now or better. Bob Callahan mentioned schools like Madison , Auburn, and Trussville would be a good model for Fairhope . Dr. Harvey asked; why could so many systems form . Jefferson County gets 30.1 mils , Saraland gets 20 plus mils , Vestavia gets 52.5 mils. We must also consider the cost of administration. Principals can wear multiple hats . We need a complete run down of all systems in the state. The Federal money depends on the number of students. Tax revenues per students compared to tax revenues for Baldwin County. The state money you have to have 10 mils of equivalent tax in your tax district. Mayor Kant questioned the Federal money for the system. Dr. Harvey replied that he doesn't mess with the Feds . We can only look at the state and what the state mandates . Federal money is in and out. Mayor Kant also questioned the tenure staff and the laws. Dr. Harvey replied the teachers cannot lose tenure . The state law protects tenure. This would be the board's problem, not the City Council. Mayor Kant asked Dr. Harvey about the costs after the final report is presented. Dr. Harvey replied that when the work draft was complete, it would be given to the City for review and to look at anything that appears incorrect. The final draft usually takes three months to complete. This will report on outcomes and what system will look at financially as well as recommendations , conclusions, and a separation agreement. He said if you have any questions feel free to call me at any time. Dr. Harvey also mentioned several taxes that could be reviewed by the City Council and they could do whatever they wish regarding the taxes, i.e. excise, franchise , and privilege taxes for example. Baldwin County is the fifth richest school system in the state . Debbie Quinn asked; where do we go from here. Dr. Harvey replied; who do I send formal requests for the Committee. He said City boundaries are needed in a pdf file from the Planning Department. The City should consider annexations which makes it legally responsible for the kids. Baldwin County School sites outside municipal limits ; if possible, the City should annex now . State facility records will be used in preparation of the study. Lonnie Mixon said the City Administrator would be the contact for information. Mayor Kant mentioned we need to know over the past 10 years if we are increasing or decreasing in children and to make sure the City 's children are growing. Bob Callahan mentioned the growth is east and south of town. The feeder pattern of schools and corporate limits can be looked at. School Feasibility Study Advisory Committee Monday, 1 February 2010 Page -3- Terri Bishop asked about annexations; if you annexation the school and the students are not in the municipal limits , what happens to the students. Dr. Harvey replied this is a City Council decision. They could annex the property for City tax benefit. Two years down the road the issue regarding the children outside the limits would be the board 's decision. The City has a legal entitlement to that piece of property because it was annexed prior to forming the school system. The board would decide whether inside or outside limits would be part of the system. Dr. Harvey went on to say; if you want a good school system: 1) Better students ..... no control over. 2) Access very accessible commercial buildings (industrial and commercial buildings); no kids and more money. We also will look at anticipated student population by grade and site. Bob Callahan stated there are 50 percent inside the corporate limits and 50 percent outside the limits. Dr. Harvey said multiple stages will be needed to complete this study. Bob Callahan also mentioned there must be two districts in the County; one district is swamp and timber land. Debbie Quinn ended the meeting with asking Dr. Harvey to keep in touch with Gregg Mims, our City Administrator, for information. She then announced to all others present at the meeting who were not committee members , if you have questions please meet with a committee member and he or she will get the question to Dr. Harvey. There being no further business to come before the Schoo l Feasibility Study Advisory Committee, the meeting was duly adjourned at 3:07 p.m .