When you walk into Byrd First Class Early Learning Center you can’t help but feel joy. There is just something special about the excitement of children learning and playing together as we prepare them to be scholars.  Early learning or Pre-K is important.

Selma City School values early learning and will always strive to have high-quality Pre-K classes.  Will those classes always be at the current Byrd site?  A better question is should our classes be at the current Byrd site.

Over the last year, a team has been working to determine how Selma City Schools can decrease our geographic footprint.  Or simply put, close schools and right size our district.  This is not a new discussion.

In May of 2010, it was recommended the we “discontinue use of Byrd Elementary School and assign the students to possibly Clark and/or Knox.”  Also, that we “monitor the student population at Knox and if the population continues to decline, the District may consider closing it in 3-5 years.”

These recommendations were a part of a feasibility study.  Closing the School of Discovery was also recommended.  The study cited that “there are no indicators of potential future growth in the school district enrollment.  The cost of continual operation of so many under-utilized schools has and will continue to place a financial burden on the school district.  Continued use of under-utilized facilities will require funds needed for instructional purposes to be spent on unnecessary building upkeep.”

As predicted by the study, our enrollment and population have continued to decline.  According to AL.com Selma is “the fastest shrinking city in the state.”

Nearly nine years after the study was presented, we have still not taken heed to these recommendations.

Because we love Byrd. 

I love our children more than a building and more than a program.  Currently, our children are being taught in a building where we have documented structural and environmental concerns.  With dilapidated floor joists, mold and roof leaks the building needs costly repairs.

As superintendent, I emphasize putting Students First.  This applies to how we spend money.  It would be wiser to invest the millions of dollars into our classrooms rather than in building repairs. 

Educating our future citizens is a worthwhile investment and must be a priority.

If you want to hear more about why we need to close schools, please join me for a Community Meeting on tonight at 5 p.m. at Edgewood Elementary School.  We invite you to be a part of the process.  Your voice is needed.

For more information, email me at avis.williams@selmacityschools.org.