The Cullman County School Board chairman said Tuesday the county’s recently-approved half-cent sales tax should be used in its entirety to upgrade school campuses, not diverting any portion to a proposed $30 million sports complex.

Heath Allbright, who represents Holly Pond schools and the Cullman Area Technology Academy, praised Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette for his leadership, but he said the half-cent sales tax is an opportunity to do more than patch problems on the system’s 29 campuses.

“I can’t speak for the entire board, but I believe there are too many questions that need to be answered about the project that has been proposed,” Allbright said. “I’ve traveled all across the county since I became chairman of the board and there are too many deficiencies everywhere on our campuses before we embark on something as large as a sports complex.”

Allbright said he is grateful the Cullman County Commission approved the education half-cent sales tax, which goes into effect May 1 and is projected to raise an average of $4 million annually for county schools. The remaining portion, because it is a countywide tax, will go to the Cullman City Schools system, amount to less than $1 million per year. The sales tax was made at the request of Cullman County Schools Superintendent Shane Barnette

Heath Allbright

‘Is the sports complex a bad idea at this time? My personal conviction is yes, at this time it is.’ — Heath Allbright

In March, Barnette announced what had been previously noted as Project X, which is the proposed complex to be built off Alabama 157 on land donated by local businessman Roy Drinkard. One day prior to Barnette’s announcement, Cullman Parks, Recreation & Sports Tourism Director Nathan Anderson made a presentation on a $18-$20 million sports complex to the Cullman City Council. City officials said the complex has been in the planning for nearly four years.

Allbright said the city’s plans to build a sports complex should not have a bearing on the county school board’s plans for students, teachers, facilities and safety.

“The city’s project should have no sway on what we do,” Allbright said. “My job is to try to do the best for every student and employee in our system. We’re responsible for about 9,500 students, 1,200 employees and all of theses campuses. I don’t feel like the school board need to be involved in a business. We need to be in the business of taking of students and teachers and our support staff.”

Allbright said under Barnette’s multiple roofs, paving projects and other maintenance have been done well, but the sports complex would take away about $1.2 million of the new money needed for more work on schools.

“I believe we can do more, not just patch up things, but finish some things that will last a long time,” Allbright said. “Is the sports complex a bad idea at this time? My personal conviction is yes, at this time it is.”

One other board member echoed Allbright’s comments Tuesday while another supported Barnette’s plan.

Wayne Myrex, who represents Cold Springs schools, said he believes Barnette’s proposal is good, even with 30 percent of the new tax going toward the project.

“You’re still talking about $2.8 million remaining each year for the schools,” Myrex said. “I think it would become profitable for all the schools. We’ll still be talking about this for a good while.”

Shane Rusk

‘We’re trying to keep up with needs on 29 campuses and we’re only able to bandage those right now. I think we should use the money and go all the way for the schools and do things we have been unable to do for so long.’ — Shane Rusk, Fairview/Parkside School Board Representative

Shane Rusk, who represents Fairview schools and Parkside Elementary School, is in agreement with Allbright.

“I would like to see improvements for our school campuses first,” Rusk said. “We’re trying to keep up with needs on 29 campuses and we’re only able to bandage those right now. I think we should use the money and go all the way for the schools and do things we have been unable to do for so long.”

Rusk said the idea of the sports complex can be revisited, but not until vast improvements are made for system’s schools.

Board member Kerry Neighbors representing the Good Hope schools said he’s confident the tax money will be spent on schools, but he didn’t say whether he supported the complex.

“One thing I will say is we are looking at the best ways of spending money for the campuses,” Neighbors said.

Neighbors referred additional questions to Allbright.

Board member Mike Graves of Vinemont declined comment and deferred questions to Barnette.

Efforts to reach Kenny Brockman of Hanceville and Gene Sullins of West Point were unsuccessful.

Barnette’s proposal includes multi-purpose facilities for sports and the arts, as well as football field and tennis courts. His plan is to use 30 percent of the half-cent sales tax, lodging tax money pledged by the Cullman Area Chamber of Commerce and a bond issue for construction.

Since last week, the Hanceville City Council and Baileyton Town Council passed resolutions opposing the proposed complex, and Good Hope Mayor Jerry Bartlett has said he is against the plan.

On Monday, two representatives of the Cullman hotel association denounced using the lodging tax money for the sports complex. The hoteliers said that money should be used for promoting events in the area.