What Do You Do With $23 Million?

Alabama Mobile Mobile County School Board members are talking about how to spend federal stimulus money.

by Steve Alexander

Published: Tue, September 22, 2009 - 9:29 pm CST Last Updated: Tue, September 22, 2009 - 10:14 pm CST

MOBILE, Alabama - How would you like to see the Mobile County School Board spend $23 million in federal stimulus money?
Its a question board members are trying to answer.
The Mobile County School System has the money and must spend it, and they must spend it on construction.
One idea high on the list: building a new home for Red Raider students.
School Board Member Levon Manzie said, "I wholeheartedly would like to see this money spent on a brand new B.C. Rain High School. This school is in deplorable condition."
Superintendent Dr. Roy Nichols said, "My number one felt need is B.C Rain High School needs to be replaced."
Other ideas include building a new Scarborough Middle School, a new Augusta Evans School, or a new school in west Mobile so existing schools won't have to have portable classrooms.
School Board Member Bill Meredith said, "What I'm going to do is see if I can get the most benefits to the most children, and that's what I'm looking for."
But school board members are quick to remind you the $23 million in stimulus money is an interest-free loan that has to be paid back in about 15 years.
So, what might happen next year when another $23 million in stimulus money is offered?
Nichols said, "We know that we have enough revenue to pay back the first $23 million. I'm not certain that we'll have enough revenue to pay back the second $23 million, therefore we're a little hesitant to make a commitment to borrow it at this point."
When asked if he's really considering not asking for the second $23 million, Meredith said, "Oh, if you can't get pay it back, you can't get it."
But as for spending this year's stimulus money, the superintendent hopes board members will come up with a recommendation by October 12.
In less than 24 hours Tuesday, school system officials learned they were getting an extra $5 million dollars.
Almost $2 million comes from the City of Mobile because of annexation.
More than $1 million comes from the sale of timber on land the school system owns.
Also, a new performing arts center will be built on the campus of Theodore High School thanks to a state grant.

WKRG.com » News Stream » Alabama

Video
Photo

Embed:

WKRG.com Related

Data –› College Navigator

News –› Alabama

News –› Mobile

Discuss this in the forum

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

Download Video

rmseek1234 Says:

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 12:09 pm

I agree about not borrowing the money,but it looks like it is a done deal with the first 23 million. That being said-PLEASE build a new B.C. Rain-it was in poor shape back in the 80’s when my husband and his sister went there, and I can only imagine how much worse it is now. Maybe it’ll even make people want to move back to that part of town, and stay out of the County.

shrimpfire Says:

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 6:17 am

GET RID OF SCHOOL BOARD AND PUT BACK LIN HANDS OF PRINCIPALS AND LET THEM RUN THE SCHOOLS.

ronald t Says:

Thu, Sep 24, 2009 at 1:47 am

if you dont have it dont spend it,that is what got this country in the mess it is now,open your eyes mobile.

bhutch Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 9:23 am

I agree with southfan1981, don’t borrow the money. It’s just another way for the feds to get a stronger hold on our schools and our children.

If they decided to accept the money (and we all know they will) then use the money to repair and update existing schools. Why build a new school when so many things need fixed and repaired. It’s like buying a new car because your headlight went out. But as Forrest Gump says, “Stupid is as stupid does.”

mob1 Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 5:13 am

My vote, is that the money will be squandered and wasted on something stupid.

Sirk Says:

Wed, Sep 23, 2009 at 4:56 am

You can bet they will squander it like they have everything else and then have to close schools and lay off teachers, etc., to repay this money.

They have not learned how to manage money before now so what makes them think they can manage $23 million.