Local school officials receptive to Riley’s plan for surplus funds

Published 10:08 pm Tuesday, January 3, 2006

Cullman’s city and county school system superintendents expressed support for Gov. Bob Riley’s plan to spend $500 million on public school construction and improvements.

Riley and state Finance Director Jim Main said they expect a surplus in this year’s $5.16 billion education budget. Riley said it’s one-time money that should go for one-time tangible improvements in schools.

“Alabama’s only limiting factor is our ability to create a world-class education system,” Riley told The Birmingham News in an interview Friday. “There is a huge need out there for repair and maintenance. There’s a huge need for technology to be put into schools, particularly the rural schools.”

County Schools Superintendent Nancy Horton said Monday that many county schools are in need of physical improvements.

“If the money is allocated on a per-pupil basis, then I would certainly be in favor of that,” she said. “We could use all the construction or capital funds that are available.”

Horton cited roofing and heating-air conditioning units as common problem areas in local schools. Loud window units leave teachers straining to be heard, she recalled from her own time in the classroom.

“We always have roofs that need repairs,” Horton said. “A lot of buildings need lighting retrofit, and we have some older electrical systems. At this point, what we need is to upgrade and modernize the facilities we have now.”

City Schools Superintendent Jan Harris agreed.

“I know there are always facilities needs across the state,” Harris said. “You look at some of the schools across the state, and it’s sad when you see the condition of some of the schools. … In Cullman City Schools, it’s needed. We have some older buildings, the primary schools is newer, but they all have definite needs.”

Riley is expected to release details on his plan in his State of the State address on Tuesday, the day lawmakers start the 2006 regular session.

Cullman County State Reps. Jeremy Oden and Neal Morrison both said they favor improving school facilities, but want to see if the surplus is as big as the governor claims before committing money.

“I support capital improvements in the education system, but you also have to look at some other aspects of the classroom and start to see what needs to be done there as well,” Oden, R-Vinemont, said. He said schools are also in need of funds for technology, among other things.

Morrison, D-Cullman, called himself somewhat “pessimistic” about the surplus.

“In theory, I’m in favor, but I’ve still got to have someone show that we’ve really got that kind of money coming in because the last time they said that, we had proration.”

Teacher lobbyist Paul Hubbert, executive secretary of the Alabama Education Association, said Riley’s proposal “sounds like an election-year proposal because politicians love bricks and mortar. They love to see their name on the sign outside the school.”

Hubbert said he would prefer any surplus go for teacher raises, additional teachers and operating expenses for school systems and employees who have lived through years of little budget growth.

Riley said his proposed budget for the next fiscal year will recommend five additional working days for teachers plus a pay raise. He declined to say how much of a raise he’ll recommend.

The proposal, according to a draft of the bill Riley intends to send to lawmakers, would divide $250 million among public K-12 school systems. The amount would be based on the system’s student population.

• The Associated Press contributed to this report.