By NEAL WAGNER / City Editor

The Shelby County School System will keep the Instructional Services Center on U.S. 31 in Alabaster after Alabama Superintendent of Education Dr. Tommy Bice recently issued a letter supporting the decision.

Future ownership of the building was called into question after the Alabaster City School System finalized its split from Shelby County Schools this summer, as both school systems expressed interest in the building.

After the two school systems were unable to reach an agreement on the Instructional Services Center, the decision went to Bice for a final determination.

“We are pleased with the decision,” said Shelby County School Superintendent Randy Fuller. “The Instructional Services Center is an annex of our central office, and it houses many departments that support our schools. It is centrally located in our school district as well.”

The building currently houses several Shelby County Schools departments, such as the health services department and the English as a second language department. The building also houses the county’s alternative school and is used regularly to host teacher development programs.

In his letter, Bice supported the Shelby County School System keeping the building as long as the school system uses it in its current capacity. Should the Shelby County School System decide to move out of the building, Alabaster City Schools will be given the first opportunity to purchase the property, said Alabaster School Superintendent Dr. Wayne Vickers.

“We do have the option of being the first ones to have it if something changes in the future,” Vickers said.

Vickers said the decision does not negatively impact the Alabaster City School System, and said he respected Bice’s decision.

“It really didn’t change anything on our end. We are doing some great things at the facilities we already have,” Vickers said. “(Bice) ruled what he thought was best in this situation.”