Questions Remain Following Gardendale Schools Ruling

 ========= Old Image Removed =========Array
(
    [_wp_attached_file] => Array
        (
            [0] => 2016/12/GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101.jpg
        )

    [_wp_attachment_metadata] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:5:{s:5:"width";i:1920;s:6:"height";i:1280;s:4:"file";s:47:"2016/12/GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101.jpg";s:5:"sizes";a:13:{s:6:"medium";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-336x224.jpg";s:5:"width";i:336;s:6:"height";i:224;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:5:"large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-771x514.jpg";s:5:"width";i:771;s:6:"height";i:514;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-140x140.jpg";s:5:"width";i:140;s:6:"height";i:140;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:12:"medium_large";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-768x512.jpg";s:5:"width";i:768;s:6:"height";i:512;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"1536x1536";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:49:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-1536x1024.jpg";s:5:"width";i:1536;s:6:"height";i:1024;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:45:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-80x80.jpg";s:5:"width";i:80;s:6:"height";i:80;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-600x338.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:338;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-467x311.jpg";s:5:"width";i:467;s:6:"height";i:311;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-398x265.jpg";s:5:"width";i:398;s:6:"height";i:265;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:28:"ab-block-post-grid-landscape";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-600x400.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:400;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:25:"ab-block-post-grid-square";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-600x600.jpg";s:5:"width";i:600;s:6:"height";i:600;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:4:{s:4:"file";s:47:"GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101-125x125.jpg";s:5:"width";i:125;s:6:"height";i:125;s:9:"mime-type";s:10:"image/jpeg";}}s:10:"image_meta";a:12:{s:8:"aperture";s:1:"0";s:6:"credit";s:0:"";s:6:"camera";s:0:"";s:7:"caption";s:0:"";s:17:"created_timestamp";s:1:"0";s:9:"copyright";s:0:"";s:12:"focal_length";s:1:"0";s:3:"iso";s:1:"0";s:13:"shutter_speed";s:1:"0";s:5:"title";s:0:"";s:11:"orientation";s:1:"0";s:8:"keywords";a:0:{}}}
        )

    [_imagify_optimization_level] => Array
        (
            [0] => 1
        )

    [_imagify_data] => Array
        (
            [0] => a:2:{s:5:"stats";a:3:{s:13:"original_size";i:4433745;s:14:"optimized_size";i:684360;s:7:"percent";d:84.560000000000002;}s:5:"sizes";a:10:{s:4:"full";a:5:{s:7:"success";b:1;s:8:"file_url";s:75:"https://news.wbhm.org/media/2016/12/GARDENDALE_ALABAMA_SCHOOLS_-_000101.jpg";s:13:"original_size";i:4433745;s:14:"optimized_size";i:684360;s:7:"percent";d:84.560000000000002;}s:9:"thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:6:"medium";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:5:"large";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:9:"wbhm-icon";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:13:"wbhm-featured";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:20:"wbhm-featured-square";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:18:"wbhm-featured-home";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:22:"wbhm-featured-carousel";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}s:14:"post-thumbnail";a:2:{s:7:"success";b:0;s:5:"error";s:77:"WELL DONE. This image is already compressed, no further compression required.";}}}
        )

    [_imagify_status] => Array
        (
            [0] => success
        )

    [_media_credit] => Array
        (
            [0] => Mark Almond
        )

    [_navis_media_credit_org] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

    [_navis_media_can_distribute] => Array
        (
            [0] => 
        )

)
1664543086 
1493286964

The Gardendale Board of Education met Tuesday night, one day after a long-awaited order from a federal judge cleared the way for Gardendale to form its own school district apart from Jefferson County. But questions remain, like whether the growing city in north Jefferson County can afford to pull out.

The judge’s order allows Gardendale to run the two elementary schools within its city limits beginning in the fall. Both Snow Rogers Elementary and Gardendale Elementary currently are Jefferson County schools. If the new city school system shows it can operate the elementary schools and satisfy the court’s desegregation requirements within three years, Gardendale could have its own school system, including a middle and high school.

Federal courts have intervened in the city’s plans to start its own school system because of desegregation requirements.

According to the ruling, Gardendale must appoint an African-American to its school board and submit its desegregation plan to federal court within 60 days.

“You know I know there are a lot of questions, but I will say this, we are pleased with the pathway,” says Gardendale Superintendent Patrick Martin. “ We’ve been wanting a pathway for three years and through the federal court we’ve received that.”

The school board hired Martin three years ago after residents agreed to pay more property tax to fund an independent school system.  That tax brings in about $1.5 million annually, according to Mayor Stan Hogeland.

Gardendale, like any other school system, would also receive state funds. But the system would have to pay Jefferson County if it wants to keep Gardendale High School.  That school cost more than $50 million. It’s a tough situation, Hogeland says.

“They want this school system. But they don’t want me nor this council to make a decision that destroys us financially,” he says. “Is there some amount of money we can contribute? I think there is. What that amount is, I have no idea.”

Gardendale is mostly white. Black students from North Smithfield Manor are bused to Gardendale schools and will probably remain there. But the future is not certain for students in the most mostly white communities of Mt. Olive and Brookside who also attend Gardendale schools.

Craig Goolsby is a Mt. Olive parent who opposes the new Gardendale system. He had hoped the judge’s order would answer more questions.

“I think everybody was anticipating some type of end all, but that’s not what we are faced with,” Goolsby says. “There is still a lot to come out of this thing.”

Jefferson County schools, the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund and Gardendale schools all say they are studying this order and will decide whether to appeal.

 

Germany thrived in the first China Shock. But the next one could prove catastrophic.

The export-led industrial model that Germany has pursued for decades is now at a crossroads.

Memphis and Portland, Ore. brace for troops. Why Chicago might be next

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said the Department of Homeland Security has requested for 100 military personnel to help protect ICE agents and facilities in his state.

5 takeaways from the U.S. ceasefire proposal for Israel and Hamas

The leaders of the U.S. and Israel say they have agreed to a broad plan that could end Israel's war in Gaza. But substantial uncertainties remain.

The MLB postseason begins Tuesday. Who should you root for to win a World Series?

Twelve teams will enter October, but only one team will leave (with a ring). You can root for the three franchises that have never won a title before … or you can pull for the Yankees or Dodgers.

Government to shut down after midnight barring last minute breakthrough in Congress

Democrats and Republicans have been unable to resolve an impasse over federal healthcare spending. The government will shutdown at the end of the day on Tuesday barring a last-minute breakthrough.

Trump, Hegseth to headline a highly unusual gathering of top military officials

It is highly unusual to bring in military leaders from across the globe to one central location. The president said the meeting would discuss "esprit de corps."

More Education Coverage