This week, the Alabama state superintendent announced formal financial intervention. A chief financial officer has been appointed to work with our finance and administrative staff. Collaboratively, we will implement the financial recovery plan developed to assist our district in building the $17 million reserve that we, by law, are required to maintain. Throughout this process, I will remain the chief executive officer of the district.

The financial recovery plan, which can be viewed in its entirety on by clicking here, is comprised of several elements and several phases. The reduction in force is the element of this plan that you have most likely heard the most about.

Because of past and present circumstances, we are at the point that we must implement such measures; however, since personnel costs represent approximately 80 percent of the district's overall expenditures, cuts in this area are the only way that the district can meet its lawful obligation.

Despite these circumstances, we are working to protect the classroom to the greatest extent possible, focusing our resources on our core business of teaching and learning. Many aspects of the plan call for reductions at the central office level. Because of laws and policies certain individuals may be able to "roll back" or bump others that may be at the school level. Know that, if and when that occurs, the needs of students will, indeed, be met, as outlined by an Individual Education Plan (IEP), medical need or special circumstances and needs.

Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools