Over the last 10 ½ years, I have worked with various city council members from all areas of the City to balance budgets, fund projects, and make difficult decisions on priorities to continue to move this city forward. During most of that time, the council votes have been unanimous. When they have not, we have accepted that vote, because they are elected officials as well, and have moved on to the next issue. This is the way that elected government must work. Some have questioned me and the council about our commitment to the school system. Since the development of Gadsden City High School, the City has partnered with the school board to invest more than $36 million in new facilities. During my time in office, the city council and I have allocated an additional $10.5 million in both discretionary and outside agency funding for the Gadsden City School System, which affirms our unwavering support for the schools, and more importantly for our students.
We all want the Gadsden City Schools to do well, and in many areas, they have experienced success. When they have not, new solutions to problems must be identified and implemented. It takes school administrators, school board members, teachers, students, parents, and the community all working together to make a school system excel. At this point in time, the school board members have a difference of opinion on solutions to existing problems, and apparently, they also differ as to the leadership needed to solve those problems.
In my capacity as Mayor of the City of Gadsden, I have reached out to both the Board of Education and Superintendent Miller. I am asking that the parties work together to solve these issues, whether it be through the implementation of new policies or the selection of new leadership, or some combination of both. It’s past time to put aside any personal agendas that have the potential to divide us all. Cooperation is the only way to give the students of the Gadsden City Schools the quality education that they deserve!
Mayor Sherman Guyton
