Sarah Stephens
Elmore Autauga News
Top Photo: File photo of Supt. Lyman Woodfin
Autauga School Superintendent Lyman Woodfin addressed the Prattville City Council Tuesday, suggesting a partnership to help with funding for the future. Sixty percent of all students in the Autauga County School system are from Prattville.
“I hope I can point out some ideas for collaboration that can not only help the students and educators but also help drive economic development for all of Autauga County. I am very proud of the progress we are making in Autauga County Schools. I appreciate the partnership that you guys work with us every day to get things done. We have had to make very difficult decisions recently, but we are doing a little better financially. I feel like we are moving in the right direction, and I feel very good with our academic progress. We are doing a lot of great things.”
As far as discussions, he said there are two major facility issues the schools cannot solve by themselves. This concerns the condition of the school buildings in the City of Prattville, as well as the rapid growth being seen in the areas of Marbury and Pine Level.
Tuesday, he told the council he wanted to focus more on Prattville issues for this presentation but has been out for speaking engagements across the county focusing on separate issues.
He passed out information to each council member, saying he has some ideas he would like to present to the council.
“We have not had a board meeting (about these issues) or approved anything in this document. This is me being here all my life. I am a product of the system.”
Woodfin said he wanted to address the council and just put some of his ideas out on the heels of the board’s Criterion study to see how partnerships could solve some revenue issues.
When it comes to the current financial status and limitations, he said, “We have stabilized our day-to-day operations somewhat. There are a lot of hard decisions that have been made.” One of those is the closure of Autaugaville School.
There have been discussions about a bond issue that could help make repairs to school buildings, as well as building some new buildings for the Autauga County public education system.
Woodfin said that many people have asked why there is not a new high school for Prattville. He explained that for every $25 million the board borrows, it costs $1.6 million in a bond. If you take the estimate of a new high school, it is around $150 million. The bond as of today would be around $9.8 million. Woodfin said the Board has been able to have around a $2 million surplus on the budget, but that leaves a big gap of needed funds.
“That is why you don’t see a lot of new buildings, that is why you haven’t over the last several years. The same issues my board have are the same issues that we have had in the county for a long time.”
He presented ideas where the city and the board could partner together for solutions. He has also already reached out to the Autauga County Commission and the Town of Pine Level on these issues of a possible partnership.
“In the perfect world, the Autauga County Board of Education works with the City of Prattville, the Autauga County Commission, and the Town of Pine Level. Obviously the more you work together, you share some of the cost burden. You also honestly can get more of a bond at a lower rate. Obviously, that is what we would like to do if that is ever possible.”
Woodfin said that in 2029, the Board is expected to pay off some other bond issues. At that time, the board’s contribution could increase towards paying of a new bond.
In one scenario, the Board would offer $2 million annually, with an increase after 2029. In round numbers, he spoke of a bond payment and what a partnership could look like. Prattville could provide $8 to 10 million, the County Commission providing $1 to 3 million and Town of Pine Level also participating, but on what level it is not yet clear as they are a new town.
Woodfin said financial agreements like this are not unheard of across the state.
“It is prevalent…this is something that does occur,” Woodfin said. “The Autauga County Board of Education cannot build a new school in the city of Prattville until at least 2029. It is more like 2032-33 based off projections.”
Woodfin said over the last several years there has been a decline in enrollment throughout Prattville.
“Part of that is choice, another part is because if you ask our parents they will tell you, the dual feeder pattern causes problems sometimes if they have multiple kids, they want to go to Daniel Pratt. That is what we have seen in our in-district transfer applications. A lot of our parents in Prattville are leaving central zoned schools and going to Daniel Pratt because Mom works in Montgomery and they can drop off their kids there. It is nothing about the schools, it is just easier for them.”
He said school choice is now a reality, and the longer he waits to solve some of the issues parents have with facilities the more people the system could lose. With the loss of students comes the loss of teaching units. That is when a school board has to look at the possibility of consolidating schools.
“That is the reality of the Choose Act. That is the reality of education right now. That is why it is so important to try and solve what the parents say need to be solved.”
If the Board is able to build a new high school, Woodfin says it opens up some flexibility in terms of feeder patterns moving forward.
“More importantly, we talk a lot about economic development. We talk a lot about getting kids ready for life. The idea we have is if we could build a new high school, and tailor it to what our military families are asking for. This community was built many years ago on the backs of all of our families, but especially our military families coming in.”
Woodfin families are asking is “Do you have an international baccalaureate program? Do you have a way of preparing my kid for military? We do. We have a very strong ROTC program. But is there really a school in the state of Alabama that makes it one of their pillars of ‘We are going to have a military preparedness wing in the high school?’ That is what we would like to do…focus on that portion.”
If the Board is able to build a school, he said dual enrollment and career tech would funnel in as well. He said there is also the benefit of Central Alabama Community College.
“There are a lot of things we can do to work together. The time is now as far as economic development. If we can figure out a way to all partner together to make this happen, we start to change the dynamics of education in this city and in the county. There is a part of this as well…there is a pride factor here as well. I am taking a lot of pride in this, because this is home. I am never going to shy away from that. I am a product of the system; you are as well. This is our home. I think if we can solve the facility issues. I feel very good where we are headed and where we are going.”
Woodfin stressed he is not asking for immediate commitment from the city, but just that the council be receptive.
“After the Ad Valorem was defeated, I was tasked by all entities with ‘Hey, can you work with something else? Can you bring us something?’ There has been a lot of time and research with the packet you have.”
Councilman Robert Strichik complemented Woodfin on his passion. “Most everybody in this room and our community knows the dire situation we are in or headed toward. I have said in the past, this is a unique opportunity partnering with CACC, sharing staff and facilities. And military training…there wouldn’t be anything like this in the state of Alabama.”
Strichik said Prattville continues to grow. He said he believes it is incumbent upon the council to find a way to help education.
“We need to work together as a city, and a county to help you guys be as successful as you can. If you are successful, we are all more successful. We help with the military, economic strength, the whole ball of wax. We are at a crossroads in my opinion on which way we are going to go. Are we just going to be whatever we are or are we going to improve?”
Strichik said he is all in to find a way to improve the education system.
Woodfin said he wanted to clarify a possible partnering with CACC, saying there have been many discussions, but nothing is written in stone.
“This is a dream that Mr. Lynn and I have talked a lot about. But until I can solidify the funding side of it, there will never be an agreement. If it ever got to the point where we could do something on his campus, it does open up the door to a lot of possibilities. But I just want to make sure everyone understands, it is not a done deal or a guarantee. I can’t get to that point until I secure the funding.”
Whether or not an agreement between the board and CACC is in the future, Woodfin said the institution has been a game changer, and CACC has been very supportive. He praised the Council working with CACC that helped make the decision to locate in Prattville.
Councilman Marcus Jackson said that back in 2018, the council formed a committee to start research into better funding and help the school system locally.
Councilman Michael Whaley said there is a lot of talk in the community about city school systems.
“My number one response is that in the current climate we are in, residents of the city have had two opportunities to vote for an increase in Ad Valorem that would benefit the school system. Residents outside of the city have had one opportunity. But they have all been defeated. So, when asked in this capacity, what do I feel like as far as the city having a city school system, the people have got to prove they are willing to fund it. In my opinion, why would we want to take on the issues and challenges that you have now trying to provide an education. Knowing the people have spoken that said, ‘We don’t want an increase.’ I agree there are other funding mechanisms you have to look for, and property tax is probably not one of the avenues that we are looking at. We have a one-penny sales tax that was extended, and a portion of that the council provides for education.
“My biggest question is, if we were to decide to venture into a financial partnership with the Board of Education, that money is not utilized for paying teachers and salaries. It is strictly for the brick-and-mortar facility that we would venture into a partnership. So, those funds would be 100 percent used for the bond payment for just the facility?”
Woodfin agreed with Whaley and said he is just approaching government partners to settle the facility issues.
Councilman Strichik emphasized that when it comes to building upkeep, those funds are a local issue and do not come from the state.
Councilman Marcus Jackson said the city has a tremendous opportunity to work with the board for the future. Speaking to Woodfin, he said “I appreciate your effort, your board, what you guys have done. You were willing to step out and make a sacrifice that so many others before you were not willing to do. I think as a council we need to take that into consideration and look at what we need to do to help this. It doesn’t just benefit you guys; it benefits this entire community. You talk about economic development and workforce development. We are not going to be able to attract companies to the city if we do not have a workforce that is ready. I applaud what you are doing and the board.”
He asked Woodfin how quickly the board would need to know if the council can commit.
“The reality is if you break ground tomorrow you are talking about two to three years before you can enter the building. So, time is of an essence. If it can happen, we will take it as quickly as possible. If it doesn’t happen, I appreciate being able to come before you. I appreciate working with Mayor Gillespie and you guys every day. Regardless of the outcome of this, it will not change how we all continue to work together to find solutions.”
Woodfin said he knows what he is asking is a major commitment, and there is no definitive timeline on the table.
Mayor Gillespie said, “This is a very important topic, and it impacts so many people.”
Gillespie said that CACC is where the East Memorial Church was once located. If a future agreement can be made between the Board of Education and CACC, he said it is important to do a traffic study in that area.
“We need to make sure we have all the information on the table,” he asked the council to approve such a study as soon as possible.
In closing comments at the end of the meeting, councilors all said they are very serious about talking with the board to help find solutions. They thanked Woodfin for his presentation, and other school officials who attended the meeting.
Councilor Marcus Jackson said that he knows Woodfin is speaking to other agencies about possible help with funding a bond. He feels that whatever other entities may decide, the council should do all they can to help the Board of Education.
The EAN recommends you watch the entire Council meeting for more details on various subjects here – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ijjWNlXrUg
