Birmingham City Schools President Wants Financial Plan Drafted
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: June 7, 2012
The drum beat of a possible state takeover of Birmingham City Schools is getting louder. After rejecting the state's plan to cut more than $12 million to comply with state law, the district hasn't drafted a financial fix, yet.
"I just can't see the state coming in and
taking over and I don't believe they have a right to do that," said
Birmingham Board of Education President Edward Maddox. "We have rules
and regulations, and I don't even feel like the state should be here."
Maddox wrote a letter to State
Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice this week asking for another meeting to
work through specifics of the state plan, which would eliminate almost
200 positions and close two schools. State law mandates a district to
have at least one month's operating expenses in its reserve fund. More
than 30 Alabama school districts have either complied with state law or
submitted plans to do so.
The board's president said he plans to meet
with Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon and other board members to
work towards developing a plan or working through parts of the state
plan.
Dr. Bice plans to announce plans of a possible intervention or takeover next Thursday.
