Alabama School Board Clashes Over Unfinished Repairs Weeks Before Students Return

A Bessemer City Schools meeting turned contentious Tuesday evening as board members delayed key construction projects just weeks before the start of the school year.

The school district, which enrolls about 3,000 students, is under the scrutiny of state officials who warned the board earlier this month of a potential state takeover if issues with governance, staffing, and finances are not resolved.

Last week, board members indicated progress on an action plan and were working to hire a new finance officer after the previous one left this summer.

However, during Tuesday evening's board meeting, members voted down the appointment of an architect to oversee school roofing and HVAC repairs, casting doubt on whether the district will be ready for the new school year starting on August 8.

“This is a time-sensitive matter,” Board President Lee Jones stated after the vote. “What are we going to do to rectify this?”

Three members, including Jones and the board’s vice president, voted to proceed with the recommended firm. Anthony Williams voted against the proposal, Remeka Thompson recused herself, and Renna Scott abstained, citing inconsistencies with board procedure.

“If we stick to what we need to stick to, and follow that process, then it should never be a problem,” Scott said. “We are willing to move forward because we know we have to, but at the same time, I think the citizens will want us to know what we’re voting on.”

Typically, school boards require companies to submit bids for construction projects and other services, which are then voted on publicly.

In an effort to improve local policies, Bessemer board members recently agreed to ensure that the board is notified when bids are open. Some felt blindsided by Tuesday's recommendation, which featured only one of two firms previously presented to the board.

Superintendent Dana Arreola stated that she and a separate leadership team selected the firm after posting a letter of intent. She pledged to issue new bids immediately, which the board will vote on together.

Erika Hughes, president of the Central Alabama chapter of the American Federation of Teachers, has been advocating for state intervention for months. The frequent disagreements among board members, she said, are just one of many problems needing resolution.

“I do not think facilities will be prepared and ready,” Hughes remarked. “Unfortunately, yes, school is going to start, but I feel like the staff at Bessemer City Schools and the students are going to suffer.”

She emphasized the necessity of repairs but questioned the district's quick decision to hire a new firm instead of working with current contractors when issues were identified.

Board members also addressed two grievances from employees whom Hughes claimed had never received pay or were paid according to an inaccurate salary schedule.

“Right now Bessemer policy is not being followed, and that’s not fair to the employees that are in the trenches every day fighting and teaching these students and actually doing the work,” Hughes said. “And if they aren’t being taken care of, this district isn’t being taken care of.”

After the meeting, Arreola declined to answer further questions about construction delays or personnel issues.

Jones, after waving off repeated requests for comment, confirmed that some schools have had roofing and HVAC repairs in recent years but did not specify why current repairs were necessary.