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.