State takes over Bessemer City Schools
It鈥檚 official: the State School Superintendent is now in charge of the Bessemer School District. The State Board of Education voted Thursday to approve State Superintendent Eric Mackey's recommendation to take over the Bessemer system after the state found issues with how the local board and superintendent are running the system.
In a quick vote at the state school board meeting, members decided to take over the Bessemer School System. State Superintendent Mackey said work to turn that district around started immediately after the state board approval.
鈥淣ow, as state superintendent, after the board vote, I can approve those construction contracts, housekeeping contracts, you know, all those things myself," Mackey said.
First, Mackey says they'll focus on the infrastructure in Bessemer, where some schools lack proper air conditioning, and many are dilapidated and in need of major repair or total replacement. He says they'll start signing off on those projects immediately. Next, they'll try to correct financial issues in the Bessemer District.
鈥淭he examiners should not undercover anything that looks like it's fraudulent or abusive," Mackey said. "It's simply some mismanagement, not meeting timelines, not getting things done.鈥�
Mackey said the goal is to give Bessemer students the best possible education. He says getting to that point won't happen overnight.
鈥淲e probably are going to be in there for a couple of years," he said. "Could be longer than that, but long enough that we feel confident in turning it back over to the local community. Everybody needs to feel confident that they are ready to guide their own schools again before we withdraw.鈥�
Mackey referred to the Bessemer Board as dysfunctional, saying they must learn how to disagree agreeably. The state will be offering Bessemer leaders training to help them become more effective.