Baldwin County’s public school system officially kicked off the construction project of two new schools in one of the fastest growing regions in Alabama.
Ceremonies, pictures and speeches marked the occasion for the schools located in Daphne and Fairhope. But the projects, while a celebration for school officials, signified steep challenges ahead in what appears to be a sensitive redistricting plan.
Superintendent Eddie Tyler acknowledged the potential for a lot of emotional days ahead.
“I know parents will get upset and that’s fine,” said Tyler.
The redistricting plan, which will apply for schools within the Eastern Shore area that includes Spanish Fort, Daphne and Fairhope, is expected to accommodate the new schools: A K-6 expansion project in Fairhope and a new elementary school in the Belforest area of Daphne.
“I’d rather have them go through this once with their child instead of having me move their child again in three years,” said Tyler. “We’re going to start the conversation this spring, and we’ll listen to parents. We understand they want answers, and some will be angry. Not all will be angry.”
Tyler said a series of public hearings will take place on the realigned schools this spring. He said a final proposal will be brought before the Baldwin County School Board before the end of the school year in May.
He said the rezoning won’t take effect until the summer of 2020, or in time for the 2020-2021 school year.
“We’re doing these things to coordinate the opening of our schools,” he said. “The rezoning is an effort to lessen the crowding in schools in existence now such as the 1,100 students and the growth going on at Daphne East Elementary. Rockwell (in Spanish Fort) is finishing its second addition and there are five portables at Rockwell. We’re not adding another wing. The growth … it’s never ending.”
Indeed, Baldwin County continues to remain the king of growth in Alabama, rising more than 16 percent in population since 2010. The growth of the Eastern Shore cities has been the most impressive between 2010 and 2017: Fairhope’s population has jumped more than 28 percent, Spanish Fort by 26 percent and Daphne by 20 percent.
“The growth is real,” Tyler said. “We’re trying to catch up.”
Baldwin County Schools, before approving a $60 million pay-as-you-go program in 2017, had not endorsed a school building program since 2009. A previous attempt to build new schools, through an increase in property taxes, failed to win voter support during a 2015 special election.
The new Belforest school and Fairhope addition were the fourth in a series of new school projects that includes previous groundbreakings in Orange Beach and Bay Minette.
A sign shows the rendering of the Belforest K-6 school at the site of the new school which is set to open in 2020. (photo courtesy of the Baldwin County School System).
Details are as follow:
- The Belforest School is a $19.8 million new school that will be 123,00-square-feet and feature 54 standard classrooms and a host of other facilities, that is for 1,200 students.
- The Fairhope Intermediate school addition is a $5.7 million project that will add 16 new classrooms and a new gymnasium, among other features.
Baldwin County schools officials are also awaiting a final decision this week by Alabama State Superintendent Eric Mackey over a split from the city of Gulf Shores from the county school system. The split, which is effective for the 2019-2020 school year, will be the first time a city in Baldwin County formed its own school district.