Student growth, still means cuts in Shelby Co, Ala. district

The Shelby Co. school system still faces staff cuts through attrition as the school district continues to grow.

By: Linda White | Alabama's13.com
Published: September 14, 2009

Shelby County is now the 2nd largest district in the area, right behind Jefferson County. It moves ahead of Birmingham city schools.

Teacher asks, "How many leaves would fit lengthwise in a milliliter."

Shelby County's Chelsea High School, it's one of the county's 38 schools and this school year alone it has added one-hundred plus students.

Chelsea High School Principal, Jay Peoples said, "I think that's about a 14-15% growth in one year which is probably the largest in the county."

But with the state cutting 14 million dollars to the '08-'09 budget and another potential loss of 7 to 9 million beginning October first, Shelby County has it's challenges. The district's focus - getting instructional supplies through donations and grants.

Shelby County Schools, Superintendent Dr. Randy Fuller said, “Grants we can write, other things we can do, we try to center those on instructional supplies for the classroom. But we continue to have good plans, solid plans for instruction in the classroom. It's just impacted in those particular areas."

Even though it will cut teachers through retirement and resignations, there are larger class sizes and portable classrooms, Shelby County continues to attract families.

Dr. Fuller said, "But we're going to all work together as a team to provide quality instruction, in the classrooms we liked their support and their understanding and we'll get through this as a school system."

Due to the increase in enrollment, some students have had a wait on books and supplies however some corporate partners have helped in shortfalls.

While Shelby County is the second largest district in the area, it's the fourth largest district in the state.