CALERA, Ala. — In November 2023, students and parents from Shelby County Schools in Calera urged the city council to consider separating from the county school system. A student expressed frustration, saying, “If we email a concern they don’t answer and there’s nothing we can do about it. Can’t get in contact can’t do anything about it so this study needs to happen for us to have a change because there’s nothing happening.”
More than a year later, the results of a feasibility study are here, indicating that an independent school district for Calera is financially possible with careful planning. However, the city council decided not to proceed with the separation.
SEE ALSO: Calera city council decides against leaving Shelby County Schools
SEE ALSO: Calera to discuss forming independent school system at Monday council meeting
“Our city’s not ready to make this big move financially,” said Kenneth Cost, a member of the Calera City Council. Cost explained that after evaluating the study, the council believes the city is not prepared to move away from Shelby County Schools. He added, “They’ve done a very good job. Our grade averages are up a considerable amount from where we were in COVID. They continue to do things for our schools.”
Despite the decision not to establish a Calera school board, Cost emphasized that the money spent on the feasibility study was not wasted. “We wanted to do the feasibility study to see where we actually stood to whether we could move forward or how long it would be before we do need to move forward so I think the money spent for the feasibility study was great and we are moving in the right direction it will just take some time,” he said.
While the city has decided against forming an independent school district for now, the possibility remains open for the future.