State Votes To Intervene In Birmingham Schools
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: June 14, 2012
The Alabama State Board of Education has approved the request of the State Superintendent of Education, Dr. Tommy Bice, to intervene into and assume all direct control of the fiscal operations of the Birmingham City Schools. A takeover would happen if the Birmingham City Schools Board of Education's financial plan is not approved and implemented by key dates.
On Tuesday, The Birmingham Board of Education passed a plan submitted by Superintendent Dr. Craig Witherspoon. The plan included modifications to the State Board of Education plan that was ultimately voted down. Witherspoon's plan calls for almost 200 job cuts and the closing of North Birmingham Elementary School.
The Alabama State Board of Education said it's primarily concerned about the timeline of the plan. If the Birmingham Board of Education doesn't have Witherspoon's plan implemented by June 26, the state will be prepared for a full takeover.
