School Board Responds To City Council Sniping

By: Chris Pollone/NBC 13 | Alabama's13.com
Published: May 13, 2008

BIRMINGHAM, Ala.-- The School Board never mentioned the 7.9 million dollars in city bond money during their meeting Tuesday.

But afterward, they seemed puzzled as to why the City Council would take away the cash.

It was earmarked in 2002 for sidewalk, access, and safety improvements around schools.

“They are the very ones who want nice schools in their districts, so why in the world would they take money back from it? It doesn't make sense,” Board member Phyllis Wyne said.

Board members say they did, indeed, get 350 million dollars in capital improvement money from the county's one-cent sales tax, but have more than 408 million dollars in upcoming school improvement costs.

Now having to pay for infrastructure improvements, which will benefit entire neighborhoods, will force some school improvements to the back burner.

“There is no way we can make the repairs and build new schools we need to build and do the sidewalks around it leading up to the schools which are really important for the safety for students,” Board member Virginia Volker said.

Board members also say the council shouldn't read anything into their choice of representative at Tuesday’s meeting.

Natalie Woodall handles all money between the city and school system, and was the only person who could break free on short notice Tuesday morning.

“We're not trying to be demeaning in what we do, because anybody we send, that's a representative of the city schools and we don't send anyone who can't speak for us,” Board President W.J. Maye said.

Board members insist all the goodwill generated in previous meetings between the groups still exists, but it's apparent some feelings have been hurt in this latest conflict.

“If they were offended, then I’m much more offended that they have voted to take money away from the children they're elected to serve,” Wyne stated.

Despite this, Board members vowed to continue working with the City Council to improve Birmingham’s educational system.

Board president W.J. Maye says the Mayor has asked the School Board for a breakfast meeting.

The meeting's purpose according to Maye is to re-establish some goodwill that has apparently been lost between City Hall and the School Board.

School Board Responds To City Council Sniping

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