Amanda Pevey
Elmore Autauga News
Few issues carry more weight for a community than the education of its children, and on Tuesday night, Prattville city leaders publicly acknowledged they are facing one of the most significant decisions in the city’s history.
During the June 16 Prattville City Council meeting, council members spent considerable time discussing the future of local education, weighing whether the city should financially support the Autauga County Board of Education’s plans for new school facilities or potentially pursue a standalone Prattville city school system.
The council voted to hold a work session June 22 at 5:15 p.m. in the council chambers at Prattville City Hall to continue discussions regarding the board’s funding request.
District 1 Councilman Wade Newman said he has spent months meeting with school officials, board members and state leaders while studying available data on school funding and governance.
While stressing that he remains open to multiple options, Newman said he currently leans toward establishing a city school system.
“I want us to drive our own boat,” Newman told fellow council members. “But it has to make sense mathematically.”
He compared the city’s choice to a homeowner deciding between renting and buying.
“The question comes down to simple business logic,” Newman said. “Does it make financial sense for Prattville to pay $6 million a year in rent to a landlord when we don’t own the property, or do we do our homework and see what it takes to buy our own house outright?”
At the same time, Newman acknowledged the city’s financial challenges.
“We have a tax and revenue issue that needs to be addressed,” he said. “The voters have rejected tax increases, and we have to figure out where the money would come from before we commit to anything.”
District 6 Councilman Robert Strichik said the city can no longer avoid making a decision.
“We are at a crossroads, and we’ve been there for a long time,” Strichik said.
Strichik expressed frustration that residents, parents and educators have waited months for answers while discussions continue.
“They deserve that much respect,” he said. “Either we’re in or we’re out. Either we’re going to help build new schools or we’re not. We need to tell these people something.”
One idea he floated was combining a future public library with a new high school campus, creating a shared resource for students and the community.
“We are in desperate need of a new public library,” he said. “Why not put a public library at a new high school? It would benefit students and the public.”
While Strichik said the projected costs are substantial, he believes the investment could have long-term benefits.
“This is one of the most important decisions I’ve had to make in the 10 years I’ve served on this council,” he said. “This is generational. Years from now, our children and grandchildren will live with the decisions we make today.”
Council President Michael Whaley said no one on the council questions the importance of strong schools.
“I firmly believe that strong, well-funded schools are essential to the long-term stability, growth and prosperity of the City of Prattville,” Whaley said.
A proposed contribution of approximately $6 million annually over 30 years would amount to roughly $180 million.
“That decision would have lasting consequences for future councils, taxpayers and city services,” Whaley said.
Whaley noted that Prattville voters have twice rejected proposals related to additional education funding and said council members must respect those outcomes while exploring potential solutions.
“Our residents have entrusted us with the stewardship of public funds,” he said. “We have to understand all the financial implications before making a commitment of this magnitude.”
Like Newman, Whaley pointed to the city’s unique geography as a challenge. While residential growth has largely occurred in Autauga County, significant commercial growth has occurred on the Elmore County side near Interstate 65.
As a result, educational funding generated by Prattville residents and businesses does not always flow back into schools serving Prattville students.
“The question before us is not whether education should be supported,” he said. “The question is how we can provide that support in a way that is responsible, sustainable and in the best interest of both our students and the citizens we serve.”
Although council members expressed differing opinions about the best path forward, there was broad agreement on one point: the future of education in Prattville will shape the city’s future for decades to come.
