Numbers improve, but work still ahead
Numbers are very important for school system administrators. We must balance budgets, provide the correct number of teachers, buy the things our students need and keep the district running. Of course, this is all based on the number of students we have. So I have been relieved since school started Aug. 20 to see enrollment numbers that indicate the loss of enrollment the Birmingham City School System has experienced in recent years has slowed down. As of Thursday, our enrollment was 24,402, which was 362 fewer students than the corresponding day of school in 2011. While that is not great news regarding the loss, it is better than expected. The annual official enrollment count begins Tuesday, Sept. 4, and continues for 20 school days. The state bases funding for the next school year on ADM, which is the average number of students enrolled during those 20 days. So I encourage parents who have not enrolled their children yet to do so as soon as possible. Waiting longer not only hurts children's educational success but costs the district money that we cannot afford to lose. The numbers also tell us that we still have work to do. We have made a great deal of progress, including the opening of career academies at six high schools this month. The good news is there is more to come. Each high school is in the planning stage for one or more additional academies that will open in 2013. We are working strengthen the culture for learning at all schools and provide parents and students with more choices as well within the school system. International Baccalaureate curriculum has begun at Phillips Academy and Ramsay High School, which are in their second year of IB candidacy. We continue looking at the idea of creating themed elementary and middle schools that could have focuses on areas like math and science, fine arts or even the military. There also is interest in creating a Montessori school. When we examine data from the 2011-2012 state tests, we found that many of our schools had made significant strides in student achievement. We plan to continue making improvements at all schools so that our children realize their potential. We appreciate the continued support that our parents and other stakeholders give us. Sincerely, Craig Witherspoon
Superintendent
Birmingham City Schools | 
