Fultondale High School Too Badly Damaged By Tornado To Use Again
The end came earlier than expected for the Fultondale High School facility.
After the school suffered heavy damage from this week’s EF-3 tornado, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin announced Friday that the building would no longer be used for in-school education.
“We have been assessing the damage since Monday night. At this point, it does not appear the building will be able to be occupied again. The damage is that extensive,” Gonsoulin said in a statement sent by email and Facebook to parents and staff.
Students will return to virtual learning on Monday and continue through Feb. 12 and possibly later, Gonsoulin said. For students who want to return to in-school learning, officials are trying to secure a replacement facility, but those plans are not complete.
The tornado destroyed the home stands at the football stadium and severely damaged the remainder of the main building.
Even before the tornado, the current Fultondale High building was seeing its last days. It was built in 1965 for Black students in the days of segregation as New Castle High School — the entrance lobby still has the letter “N” embedded in the floor, which is normally covered by carpet. The school became Fultondale High in 1972. It’s been threatened with closure in the past, with a proposal to split students between new schools at Gardendale and Center Point, but Fultondale residents vocally opposed the plan, and it was scuttled.
Construction of a new high school is slated to begin this fall on adjacent property. The old building was to be refurbished as the new home of the Jefferson County International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, but those plans are now in limbo.
Athletic programs continue despite the closure of the school. The Wildcats played boys basketball Thursday night at Gardendale High, defeating the Rockets 77-70.
Nonprofit erases millions in medical debt across Gulf South, says it’s ‘Band-Aid’ for real issue
Undue Medical Debt has paid off more than $299 million in medical debts in Alabama. Now, the nonprofit warns that the issue could soon get worse.
Roy Wood Jr. on his father, his son and his new book
Actor, comedian and writer Roy Wood Jr. is out with a new book -- "The Man of Many Fathers: Life Lessons Disguised as a Memoir." He writes about his experience growing up in Birmingham, losing his dad as a teenager and all the lessons he learned from various father figures throughout his career.
Auburn fires coach Hugh Freeze following 12th loss in his last 15 SEC games
The 56-year-old Freeze failed to fix Auburn’s offensive issues in three years on the Plains, scoring 24 or fewer points in 17 of his 22 league games. He also ended up on the wrong end of too many close matchups, including twice this season thanks partly to questionable calls.
In a ‘disheartening’ era, the nation’s former top mining regulator speaks out
Joe Pizarchik, who led the federal Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement from 2009 to 2017, says Alabama’s move in the wake of a fatal 2024 home explosion increases risks to residents living atop “gassy” coal mines.
‘It’s like feeling the arms of your creator just wrapped around you’: a visit to a special healing Shabbat
Members of Temple Emanu-El in Birmingham gathered recently for their traditional Friday Shabbat service. But this particular service was different, as could be seen by all the people dressed in their finest pink.
Space Command is coming to Huntsville. What might that mean for first-time homebuyers
While Huntsville has been a more affordable market than other growing cities, what’s it been like for those looking for their first home?
