'It's time for Tuscaloosa to catch up': Leaders form group to boost school funding

A retired educator and a Tuscaloosa businesswoman have joined forces in a group that seeks to boost funding for Tuscaloosa City Schools.

Beth Curtis, who retired as Verner Elementary School’s principal in 2020, and Michele Coley, an Allstate Insurance agent, will lead Secure the Future Tuscaloosa, according to a Tuesday news release.

More: Vote set for this fall on property tax increase to benefit Tuscaloosa City Schools

The community-based organization’s formation comes in advance of a Sept. 24 referendum that would raise property taxes to fund $17.25 million in annual improvements for the school system starting in 2025.

“Our schools have made remarkable progress, but now we must build upon that success,” Curtis said in a Tuesday news release.

“With additional funding, we can expand pre-K, school security, art and music programs, summer learning, and dual enrollment programs. Most importantly, every school, every student, and every district wins when we vote ‘yes’ on September 24 ^th ,” said Curtis, who began her career with Tuscaloosa City Schools in 1970.

Right now, homeowners in Tuscaloosa pay 51.5 mills, of which the Tuscaloosa City Schools receive 15.5 mills.

If approved, the referendum would increase the millage rate that the Tuscaloosa City Schools receive by 11.5 mills ― about a 22% increase of the city's total millage rate. The amount each homeowner would pay would vary according to the home's appraised value.

The news release points out that Tuscaloosa City Schools’ share of the millage rate has not increased since 1986. Since then, inflation has increased 187% and school costs have increased 272%, according to the news release.

In terms of financial support, Tuscaloosa has been outpaced by Vestavia, Hoover, Auburn, Phenix City, Albertville, Boaz, Gadsden, Madison and several other school systems, the news release states.

Coley said the funding disparity hinders Tuscaloosa’s ability to lure businesses and young professionals.

“Strong schools create strong communities, and it's time for Tuscaloosa to catch up with other school systems,” said Coley, a former West Alabama Chamber of Commerce chairwoman and banker who has lived in Tuscaloosa for 33 years.

“The school funding referendum will provide the necessary funding to improve our schools and make Tuscaloosa a more attractive place to live and work,” Coley said.

Secure the Future Tuscaloosa organizers say passing the referendum would allow Tuscaloosa City Schools to:

• Provide bullet-resistant entrances at all schools.
• Place security officers throughout the school day in every school.
• Install security cameras, alarms, and stronger security systems at every school.
• Provide pre-kindergarten for every child.
• Provide art and music education in every elementary school year-round.
• Provide full-day summer learning for every child in every zone.
• Retain and recruit the best teachers.
• Keep class sizes small.
• Expand dual enrollment and career and technical programs.

Rejecting the referendum, according to Secure the Future Tuscaloosa, would result in:

• Cuts in the funding of athletics.
• Fewer reading intervention specialists.
• Larger class sizes.
• Less access to school nurses.
• Limits on the enhancement of security measures.
• Reduced access to career and technical programs.
• Cuts in access to summer learning programs will be cut.
• Scaled-back art and music programs.

To learn more, go to securethefuturetuscaloosa.com .

The Tuscaloosa City Schools system also has a website with more information about the referendum: www.tuscaloosacityschools.com/referendum .

Reach Ken Roberts at ken.roberts@tuscaloosanews.com .

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: 'It's time for Tuscaloosa to catch up': Leaders form group to boost school funding