SPANISH FORT – The Spanish Fort City Council appointed the first nine members of the board that will oversee the distribution of money collected in the city’s new property tax for local schools.
The council voted Feb. 3 to establish the Public School Commission and appoint its first members.
Under the resolution, three members will serve one year, three will serve two years and three will serve three years. Once terms expire, members will be appointed to those positions for three-year terms to allow for an annual rotation.
The resolution creating the commission requires one member to be recommended by principals of each of the four schools in the Spanish Fort district. One member will be from the City Council. One member will be recommended by the county commissioner representing District 2 – the district that includes Spanish Fort. Three members will also be appointed by the City Council.
April Bradley was appointed for a three-year term after being recommended by County Commissioner Joe Davis.
Carl Gustafson Jr. was appointed for three years after being recommended by the Spanish Fort High School principal.
Kaysha Clark was appointed for a three-year term after being recommended by the City Council.
Randi Stewart was appointed for two years after being recommended by the Spanish Fort Elementary School principal.
Randy White was appointed for a two-year term after being recommended by the Spanish Fort Middle School principal.
Kristi Bush was appointed for two years after being recommended by City Council.
Ryan Shirley was appointed for one year after being recommended by the Rockwell Elementary School principal.
Tommy Hallmark was appointed for one year after being recommended by the City Council.
Councilwoman Mary Brabner was appointed for one year to represent the City Council.
Spanish Fort voters approved a referendum in September to increase property taxes by three mills. Money from that tax will go to the four schools in the Spanish Fort attendance zone. The tax will bring in at least $800,000 a year, according to school system estimates.
The commission will work with local schools and the Baldwin County Board of Education to determine how the money from the tax will be distributed.
