Just more than a month after a half-cent sales tax promised the hope of improved school facilities, plans were halted with the Cullman County Commission’s surprising decision Tuesday to rescind its earlier decision.

Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette said he learned about the commission’s action via social media, but when he arrived at the courthouse less than a half-hour after the 2-0 vote, it was too late.

“Today hurt every student in the county and the city of Cullman,” Barnette said. “After the tax was passed, a lot of teachers and parents felt like our county commissioners cared about them, the students, the schools.

“I believe this, they all know there is need for our schools. County commissions and city councils across the state have the power to do this for education. I’m disappointed at what happened today.”

Associate Commissioner Garry Marchman and commission Chairman Kenneth Walker, who did not vote when the tax was approved, voted to rescind the half-cent sales tax. Associate Commissioner Kerry Watson, who in March voted for the tax, did not vote Tuesday and made no comments.

Barnette said plans were already in motion for new facilities at Good Hope Middle School, lunchroom expansions at other schools and many other projects.

He said architects were already hired and working on plans that would bring vast improvements to the school system’s 29 campuses.

Some safety equipment has also been ordered, but Barnette said no further purchases can be made since the commission revoked the tax, scheduled to go into effect May 1.

The county schools were projected to receive about $4 million annually and the Cullman City Schools around $1.2 million.

“I have not had the chance to speak to Commissioner Marchman, but I know he mentioned the lodging tax and the sports complex, but those were never a make or break deal in any of this,” Barnette said.

“The main plans were also to help our schools by improving the facilities and the safety, which is something parents and teachers have wanted. I would have appreciated it if the commissioners had asked to sit down and go over detailed plans, which I thought I had done.”

Although the half-cent sales tax increase was passed without public input, which the commission is allowed by law to do for education, Barnette said the public response has been positive about having funds to remedy long-standing problems.

“A lot of people have reached out today wanting to know why the commissioners don’t support the students and teachers and their communities,” Barnette said. “I think the people of Cullman County would be proud of what they were about to see. We were going to be accountable, transparent in everything spent for our schools.”

The Cullman County School Board will have the option to ask for a tax increase measure to be placed on the March 2020 ballot, although Barnette said he has not discussed this possible move with board members.

“That’s something, if we do, that will require a lot of planning,” Barnette said. “We’re back to square one at this point. I don’t know what to think of this.

“But I will say that I’m extremely proud of our teachers and students; we have the highest grades and test scores in the history of the school system. Everyone has been working hard and making tremendous progress for the sake of students and communities.

“I’m just disappointed that this has happened with the funding we needed so much.”