By Hamilton Richardson
Elmore/Autauga News
Top Photo: Mayor Bill Gillespie speaks with members of the public at the Education Committee meeting Thursday.
Several vocal Prattville residents came forward Thursday evening to share their thoughts on the expenditure of education funds in the city’s school system with the Prattville City Council Education Committee.
The Education Committee consisted of Councilman Albert Striplin, Councilman Marcus Jackson and Councilman Robert Strichik. Jackson attended the meeting via Zoom while Striplin and Strichik were onsite.
Striplin began by explaining the purpose of the meeting.
“Our committee has been provided with a percentage of a specific one-cent sales tax to be used for educational purposes,” he stated. “This percentage is projected to be approximately $1.6 million. Because the revenue stream is generated by sales tax, which is not guaranteed nor evenly distributed during the fiscal year, the committee’s proposal will reference allocations as a percent of the total revenue.”
He went on to say, “For administrative purposes, grants, whether restricted or field of interest, will potentially be the most efficient method of distribution, however we invite your comments.”
The members of the public, numbering about 25, who had gathered to give their input on the funds, received a handout which highlighted three questions that the speakers could address to the committee.
The first question was, “How should these sales tax dollars allocated to education be spent?” The second of the three questions asked citizens their position on “enabling sales tax legislation restricting these dollars to be spent within the corporate limits, which excludes Prattville High School, Autauga County Technical Center and five other schools.”
Lastly on the list of questions, speakers were asked for their input on the process and procedures for the distribution of monies.
Jon Lee Finnegan approached the committee first for her three minutes and said, “I’m just curious about what you consider education. I mean is it for public schools, there’s talk about a children’s museum, is that considered education?”
Finnegan then went on to ask other related questions about the funding including who would make the decisions about where the money goes.
“My feeling is that education (funding) should strictly be for the public schools,” she said.
Strichik spoke up and said, “Nothing’s been determined. That’s what this is about. Social media is one thing. Reality is another. Nothing has been determined on a museum, schools in the school district or the PJ (Police Jurisdiction) as far as taxes, as far as charter schools.”
Jackson spoke up at one point and added, “I personally think that the money should probably go to the current school system that we have in place since we have so many needs.”
Kim Crockett spoke next and shared her thoughts with the members of the committee.
“I am currently running for the Board of Education District 2,” she stated. “In regards to agenda item number one, I reached out to over 25 educators, parents and admins who are currently employed by or are in vested in the Autauga County School System to find out from those on the frontlines just what our most pressing needs are.”
She went on to indicate the great need for improvements in infrastructure.
“Our schools are in desperate need of additional bandwidth,” she continued. “The data demand placed upon today’s connected classroom is more than our current bandwidth can support.”
The need for more electrical outlets and bathroom stalls were also on Crockett’s list of needed improvements as well as reducing the teacher-to-student ratio.
Crockett also shared her feelings about excluding some schools from the potential funding.
“As far as agenda item number two, considering whether these funds should be used in just the city limits or countywide,” Crockett said. “My opinion is based on my belief in the Bible. Galatians 6:10 says, ‘Therefore if we have the opportunity, let’s do good to everyone, especially to the family of faith.’ In this context I don’t believe we should categorically exclude our county schools from these funds, however it also makes sense to use a city tax to benefit schools in the city.”
Don Edgeworth, President of the Autauga County Heritage Association, spoke next and shared about the history of the area and the important work the ACHA has done in documenting and preserving historical items and the importance of sharing that information with others.
He also talked about his association’s desire for funding for a proposed museum.
“It would provide educational hands-on experience for attendees to learn of Prattville’s industrial leadership.”
Other speakers, including teachers with many years of experience, pointed to their desire for Prattville High School to be included in possible future funding.
Wayne Lambert, who is also running for a Board of Education seat, addressed the committee members about bringing the school system together.
“I believe in unity and not division,” Lambert said. “I don’t think we should isolate when we’re talking education. We should look at our whole county.”
Addressing the retention of teachers in the system, Jamie Jackson, also running for school board, said, “We need them to stay. I also think safety in our schools is really important and infrastructure but I also think that it should be strictly for the benefit of students that are part of the Autauga County Board of Education.”
After the last person spoke, Strichik said, referring to the decision-making process before the committee and the city, “This is a good problem to have.”
Councilman Johnson spoke up as well saying that he believed that having more aides in classrooms is important as well as increasing the pay for security officers in the schools.
Strichik said to the crowd as they were preparing the end the meeting, “We appreciate your thoughts. We’re writing everything down.”
He also praised the relationship the city council has had with Tim Tidmore, Superintendent of Autauga County schools, and the Board of Education.
Striplin let the residents know that there would be a plan formed in the coming weeks based on input from them as well as city leaders.
“With respect to the dollars needed for education, the city’s contribution is mere pennies,” the councilman said. “However, we desire to use these pennies for the greatest educational benefit.”
