GULF SHORES, Ala. — As the Baldwin County School Board Representative for this area, I think it is an important time to address some of the issues facing our schools.

As a parent of three children who are currently students in our system, I understand your concerns, your needs and your fears. 

First, the facts. As we all know, the Baldwin County School System has experienced a dramatic decrease in revenues over the past two years. These shortfalls are the result of a decrease in sales tax revenues, a decrease in ad valorem (property tax), and dramatic budget cuts from the state of Alabama.

In addition, in the fourth quarter of 2008, our system was told we should expect Gov. Riley to declare a 3 percent proration. In actuality (and to everyone’s surprise), a 12.5 percent proration was declared in December 2008. 

Only after some relief from the Rainy Day Fund was the number dropped to 9 percent (still a huge blow to the system).

The ability to cut expenses in certain areas is often hampered by tenure laws and state mandates, and with no way to raise revenues on its own, the system counts on these outside sources as its sole means of generating income.

In addition, the situation continues to worsen as the enormous burden of the 10 mill match looms ahead which will cost the system $45 million this year alone (which is $12 million more than what we expect to collect this year). 

When I joined the Board in November 2008, the first order of business was  to scour the budget in search of “fat”.

We worked with Dr. Hollinger and the staff  at length to cut $2.5 million from Central Office alone, and in the last round of cuts on Aug. 20, an additional 15 positions were cut from Central Office.

Overall, nearly 400 positions have been cut countywide, two schools have been closed, bus routes have been cut, programs have been cut, and the list goes on and on … all the while our county continues to grow and our student population increases daily. We truly have some great challenges to overcome. 

The Board and staff continue to explore additional cost saving methods, and have joined forces with County Commissioners and State Legislators in an effort to do so.

 All this being said, I’d like to focus on the good news. The good news is that in the midst of these challenges, we have managed to make some progress for our local schools in the past year.

These are things that we have accomplished through our partnerships with the Board of Education, community helpers, parents and principals.

In October 2008, with the help of Gates Builders, Baldwin EMC, and the BCBE staff, we worked to have working lights on the Gulf Shores High School practice field that is utilized by the high school and city league football teams.

Through the efforts of Mr. Phillip Fountain, principal of Gulf Shores Middle School and the BCBE Technology and Construction Department, we now have a new computer lab for our seventh and eighth graders.

Coach Mark Freeman came on board in January 2009 as our new head football coach/AD and has already brought our athletics program to new heights.

In February 2009, $50,000 was raised through the efforts of parents and teachers to install a new playground at Gulf Shores Elementary School for our fourth through sixth graders. With help from the Gulf Coast Education Foundation, $5,000 worth of books were purchased for the library, and with additional help from fundraisers and the Education Foundation, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Elementary schools have Promethean Boards in every classroom.

Kutter’s Landscaping has helped us to beautify our GSHS field house and our GSMS grounds. C & R Painting helped with murals and paint jobs. The list goes on and on. 

In addition, we started the new school year with a new sixth grade wing at Orange Beach Elementary, a new P.E. building at GSMS and will move into the new GSHS wing this fall.

Also, through the outstanding management of our principals, our band, chorus, art, and culinary programs are all in tact at all schools, and through no additional costs to the system, Dr. Rosado has managed to implement a new pre-engineering program for our high school students and is able to offer additional electives and subject choices through our Access Computer Lab.

I want the readers to know that your school board, while making some very difficult decisions, always has our children’s’ best interest at heart. It is often difficult to work within the confines of the laws and the financial complexities, and sometimes the restraints we are under seem to make little sense to the practical mind, but we do see the faces and hear the voices.

 While we continue to deal with shortfalls and challenges, it is important to know that our incredible teaching staff and school administrators have worked tirelessly to provide a quality education to our children. They continue to work harder and longer for less pay because they have a genuine love for our children. Simply, they care and will do whatever is necessary to insure their success. 

Although times may be difficult, I have faith that we will survive it. I have faith in our leaders and most importantly, I have faith in our local communities. I believe our communities, particularly our Gulf Coast communities have a unique resilience. We’ve weathered real storms. We know what it’s like to lose more than jobs. We’ve pulled ourselves up by the bootstraps and have worked together as a community to make ourselves whole. We know how to be thankful for what we have and to help others in need.

Questions, concerns, and suggestions can be sent to me personally at SwigerRep@yahoo.com.

Angie Swiger,

Baldwin County Board of Education Representative,

District 5