Birmingham City Schools Released From State Takeover

Sherrel Stewart | June 12, 2015

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In 2012, The Birmingham City School System was in trouble. The local school board squabbled, even sometimes getting physical, and the board was often at odds with the superintendent. After financial mismanagement, their cash reserves dwindled to illegally low levels. One of State Superintendent Dr. Tommy Bice’s first actions as head of state public education was to take over the city school system.

The state school board on Thursday voted unanimously to return the reins to local leadership and offered praise for the system’s progress.

“I think this is one of those success stories for this board that you should be proud of,” Bice told the board in recommending Birmingham Schools be released from the state takeover.

In just over two years, Birmingham City Schools’ reserves grew from $2 million to $19 million, said Bice. He offered praise for the system’s financial management and governance, noting a change in leadership of the school system.

Only one of the members serving at the time of the takeover — April Williams — still holds her seat. The rest either stepped down or lost reelection.

Randall Woodfin is president of the Birmingham City School Board. He’s a local lawyer who attended city schools and is glad the school system is once again independent. Woodfin says he’s seen the system reach its financial goals, and says more growth is projected.

“We are pleased with the fact that we not only met the goals for our minimum fund balance but we have a little cushion,” says Woodfin. “This is a pivotal moment in our school system.”

Now another chapter of leadership begins for the school system.

The board has hired a new superintendent. Woodfin says Dr. Kelley Castlin-Gacutan starts her transition as superintendent next week, with an official start date of July 1.