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By NOAH WORTHAM | Managing Editor

CALERA – The Calera City Council unanimously voted to not move forward with the formation of a city school system during a regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, March 3.

A resolution to consider a Calera City Board of Education was introduced to the council agenda at the request of Council member Kenneth Cost for the council’s meeting on March 3. After unanimous consent to vote on the resolution, Cost made a motion that the city not move forward with a city school system which was seconded by Council member Debbie Byers. The City Council unanimously voted against proceeding forward with a city school system.

“Our city is not ready to make this big move financially,” Cost said. “Now in the future, maybe, yes, but at this time, we’re not ready going forward.”

The city’s decision on the matter comes after an additional meeting that the City Council had with their consultant on the matter, Dr. Ira Harvey. According to Council member Calvin Morgan, Harvey did not introduce any new information during the meeting.

Cost said that he had numerous reviews with people from a range of ages and that they were not in favor of moving forward with a city school system.

“We’re moving forward with our city,” Cost said. “Our mayor’s done a great job. It’s just (I) feel like we’ve got a few more steps to accomplish before we can get to this city school system. In the future, we’ll look at it again.”

When asked about previous concerns from residents about the quality of services from Shelby County Schools, Cost spoke favorably of the school system and suggested the city partner with the board of education.

“I’ve been in numerous meetings with the board of education, and they’ve done a very good job,” Cost said. “They continue to do things for our schools. I think, one thing on the part of the city is, we need to partner with our school board and help fund it.”

Cost said that Calera held the feasibility study to measure where the city currently stands.

“I think the money spent for the feasibility study was great, and we are moving in the right direction. It just takes time,” Cost said.

Calera Parks and Recreation Director Seth Gandy first brought forward the idea of the city of Calera forming a school system during a meeting on Oct. 16, 2023. Gandy introduced the possibility after hearing about a number of issues from residents, including school performance, rankings and the need to appeal to new families.

In November 2023, the council approved a feasibility study to explore the possibility of Calera leaving Shelby County Schools and forming its own school system. The city then received the results compiled in a report in June 2024. The initial results indicated that the infrastructure of Calera schools were in favorable condition and that the city had favorable demographics but the formation of a Calera school system would place significant financial responsibility on the city.

The feasibility study suggested two possibilities for funding to make the Calera school system possible. One consideration was a 1 percent increase in sales tax from 9 percent to 10 percent. The other possibility would have been a 5 mil increase to the city’s property tax which is currently at 10 mils. An additional concern during the study was that any current debt that Shelby County Schools has in relation to Calera schools would be taken on by the new school system.

After the council’s vote during the meeting on March 3, Jennifer Burgett, a Calera resident and the parent of a special needs student, offered her support for the decision and said that she was “relieved.”

Burgett’s son is a third grader and attends the Linda Nolen Learning Center. Burgett was concerned that, as a Calera resident, if the city had formed its own school system, she would have to move to ensure her son received the same level of care.

Burgett said that she later learned from Finance Director Kelly Ellison, the feasibility study included plans to pay for students in similar situations to be able to attend.

“(I’m) very relieved to know that even if we do move forward, that he would be taken care of and be able to still attend the school that he’s at.”