Alabaster gets financial boost for new school system | News

BIRMINGHAM, AL (WBRC)- Alabaster is working to separate from the Shelby County School System and it is getting a big boost financially.

The city's 1 cent sales tax increase, implemented in 2011 for the city school system fund, has generated 4% more money than expected. This summer, the fund will reach $6.1-million.

Dr. Phil Hammonds, interim superintendent of the Alabaster Board of Education, says that money is greatly needed. He says the board needs to be financially sound before the new system is created.

Hammonds says forming a school system is a massive undertaking and there are a lot of expenses.

"We have to have a plan in place to build up a 1 month operating reserve, same time level of service to students, employees, parents, the community. We want to at least maintain and, as time goes by, exceed," said Hammonds.

Currently, the search is underway for the superintendent. That search goes on until April 1st.

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