Huntsville South

Community Meeting about Haysland Development

5/9/2019

Join the SHBA as we learn about the new Hays Farm development and the new Haysland Square!
May 30, 2019 at 6:00pm Grissom High School Auditorium.

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Exciting Haysland Development!

5/9/2019

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https://t.e2ma.net/webview/wagz4c/f93308e3134c414de7937dda061cce69

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Notes from Informational Meeting on the Huntsville City Schools Desegregation Order sponsored by Huntsville South Civic Association

4/11/2019

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Notes from Informational Meeting on the Huntsville City Schools Desegregation Order sponsored by Huntsville South Civic Association
March 25, 2019

HSV South Civic Assn sponsored meeting with intent to provide transparency in cost, objectives, implementation in Desegregation Order so that ALL students can succeed. Our City can not tout success unless our students have an opportunity to learn and become a part of the high-tech industry.
All HSV City School Board representatives, HSV City Council members, Mayor Battle, Superintendent Findley and Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne PC attorneys were invited.
Format: Public was encouraged to write questions on index cards which were posed to invitees for responses.
Invitees in Attendance:
- Mayor Battle (in audience)
- Dr. Robinson District 3 City Council
- Beth Wilder/Elissa Ferrell/Walker McGinnis School Board representatives, Superintendent Findley, Mr. Tim Scott/Chief Academic Officer, Tina Hancock/ CFO HSV City Schools
- JR Brooks/Chris Pape from Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne PC
Chris Pape had Powerpoint presentation and made the following comments:
- HSV City Schools Strategic Plan:
  - Intense Focus on Student Outcomes
  - Ensure Safe Learning Environment
  - Focus on Building Teacher Network
  - Ensure Efficient & Effective Operations
  - Focus on Community Connectedness

- Unitary status to be decided solely by Judge Haikala based on implementation of desegregation orders in good faith and maintain for a reasonable time.
- Gardendale AL didn’t succeed in achieving unitary status. One factor was due to social media posts reviewed by Judge Haikala.
- Madison City and Madison County have not requested unitary status (they don’t have a desegregation lawsuit)
- Tuscaloosa AL achieved unitary status and national media disputed this result.
- Legal fees from March 2011-March 2019: $3,569,856.43 for 21,128.8 hours
- Hogan Lovells Law firm charged $1,509,964.43 from 2012-2017
How much money has been spent by HCS on the desegregation order attorney’s fees since inception? And the last three years?

How many attorneys and staff are currently assigned to work on the Desegregation Order?

Can the legal fees be broken down by federal funds as compared to taxpayer dollars?

Legal fees from March 2011-March 2019: $3,569,856.43 for 21,128.8 hours
Hogan Lovells Law firm charged $1,509,964.43 from 2012-2017. C.Pape

Questions: There are (5) green factors in the order to be reached, can you tell us how many of those have been achieved and an estimate of when the others will be achieved? Speak to the three-year fact gathering period? Student assignment; Faculty and staff assignment, facilities, extracurricular activities, transportation.
The judge declared that the HCS and DOJ would "work together" to come up with recommendations to her. Yet not one green factor has been mutually addressed to date. Why?

Has there been a proposed schedule to submit and mutually agree on these green factors for the judge's approval?

When was the unitary status procedure started? On average how long does the process take to be resolved? Is there an oversight period by DOJ once the status has been achieved?

To meet the student assignment requirement, HCS rezoned districts, re-aligned feeder patterns, opened magnet schools and increased majority-to-minority transfers. How close of HCS to meeting this factor?

There’s been no unitary status on the any of the green factors (objectives). DOJ is reviewing Transportation (HSV schools spent $11M on Apple Bus contract this year). C.Pape
Facilities and Extracurricular activities have become more equitable. C.Pape
Superintendent and E. Ferrell stated that they are provided legal fees and green factor status at every work session.
Who developed the redistricting lines for the schools?
Changes in zoning plans such as Hampton Cove growth, decrease in other areas would require DOJ and Court approval which School system tries to minimize. C.Pape
One comment that seems to be recurring is the opinion that there is a lack of discipline and respect overall in our schools with little consequences, many place blame on the discipline policy and say the policy is required by the desegregation order. Please address.
Teachers have started inputting discipline into BLOOM database. There are problem-solving teams in every school. School system doesn’t want to kick students out of school. C.Pape
Who writes the Behavior Learning guide?
Behavioral Learning Guide (BLG) which lists discipline issue and consequences is developed with Donna Clark (lead), teachers and then attorneys. Want to avoid discrimination in discipline. Superintendent Findley
Does HCS still provide an alternative school for students who need a different learning environment? What is provided in the school? How many students attend?
Alternative School (ACE) is for 7-12 grades. Students stay 90-180 days, then return to their school. System tries to solve discipline issue and assist with graduation. Superintendent Findley
Are any African-American attorneys are involved in this case locally?
No. C. Pape
What is the diversity enrollment of the four magnet programs that were designed to combat the withdrawals from the HCS?
Magnet schools are helping to desegregate schools. C.Pape
Student ratio: 40% Caucasian, 40% African-American, 20% Other. Delta +/-15%. C. Pape

It appears that DAC meetings have been poorly attended by parents, citizens, etc. Are they effective in providing input to DOJ and HCS?
Desegregation Advisory Community (DAC) is volunteer group which includes 10 parents, 6 students. The meeting notes are provided to the judge. C.Pape
Is HCS really an equal partner in this process as directed by the judge?
Yes. C. Pape
What are differences between security contractors and HSV Police in the school?
Security contractors can’t arrest like SRO’s which is the primary difference. C.Pape
Is there a status posted to HSC website to keep public informed of the progress and monies spent? If no, can that be implemented?
Superintendent stated that they would provide transparency on legal costs and green factor (goals) status in the future. W. McGinnis wants this information provided at every Board meeting. How/when will this be addressed?
When the Desg Order process began in 2015, there were meetings and a HCS board member told the audience it would take 10 years to get out from under the DOJ. Fast forward to 2019 and at the last DAC meeting on March 12th, it was stated that only one area “Transportation” was close to being completed as Unitary Status. At this rate it will take 25 years. Does HSC have the budget to gain Unitary Status given the current $5-$8M deficit?
What can the public do to enhance this process? The monies spent on legal fees has been born by the HCS...money that can be spent on students' educations. Our street has 12 homes on it and in the last 2 years, 7 of those homes have sold to younger families. But only 2 of those families have placed their children in HCS. There appears to be a lack of resources due to budgetary constraints due to the monies being spent on the deseg order? Is that true?
Superintendent stated that HSV schools has relationship with Army ARMDEC and Auburn University..
Superintendent: Classrooms are a priority in dealing with the deficit.
Speakers Provided Opportunity to Provide Comments Before Meeting Ends:
Superintendent: Public is invited to visit schools and volunteer.
JR Brooks: Judge makes ultimate decision on unitary status
E. Ferrell stated that there are too many rumors and the system needs good things stated.
B. Wilder said that many students need a champion.
J. Robinson said that in the long run unitary status will save money and improve schools.
Mayor said to right-size the number of schools to save money.
Action Item: Keith Ward stated that he would provide HSV South a copy of charts presented by attorneys. No response at this time.

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South Huntsville Consumer Survey.

2/22/2019

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/sohunt?fbclid=IwAR3Gl66uM6TtRPDyvOv6tPgKhA8rZytwKef5kV13wYFkUTuioPbd2aBax7g

Informational Meeting on the HCS Desegregation Order- Hosted by Huntsville South Civic Association

2/18/2019

Tire Discounters Variance Meeting moved to March

2/18/2019

The Tire Discounters Variance request hearing has been moved to the March Board of Zoning Adjustment meeting. A meeting for the general public will be held on March 7 at 6PM at the Tire Discounters store on the South Parkway. The public is invited to come and share their concerns at this meeting before the Board of Zoning Adjustments meeting in March.

Neighborhood Meeting regarding variance for Tire Discounters on Bailey Cove Rd next to Sonic.

2/8/2019

UPDATE:The Variance was denied by the Board of Adjusters.

A neighborhood meeting hosted by Leesman Engineering will be held regarding building a Tire Discounters Store on Bailey Cove Rd (next to Sonic) prior to the Board of Adjustment meeting on Feb. 19th. The neighborhood meeting will be held at the existing Tire Discounters store located at 11920 S Memorial Parkway, Huntsville, AL on February 11, 2019 at 6pm. The purpose of this meeting is to meet the surrounding neighbors and introduce the proposed development. At this meeting, we will be reviewing the proposed site design with all attendees. Leesman Engineering and Tire Discounters are submitted to the Board of Adjustments for the February 19th Meeting at 6pm. This meeting will be held to discuss and vote on the Stores use to be allowed in the existing C1 zoning District. The Board of Adjusters Meeting is open to the public.

SOUTH HUNTSVILLE CLEAN-UP DAY

2/7/2019

Save the Date - District 3 Cleanup
On April 13, 2019 we will have our annual District 3 cleanup. Save the date on your calendars. More details to come. In the meantime, remember you can volunteer with Operation Green Team throughout the year to keep your neighborhoods and the broader South Huntsville community sparkling.

FREE trash bags, gloves and litter pick up sticks are always available at Operation Green Team 3242 Leeman Ferry Rd.

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Community Meeting about Haysland Development

Exciting Haysland Development!

Grissom Tiger Tale Newsletter

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/#inbox/FMfcgxwCgVNqghfpXTdnmmzgMCblfBCR

Notes from Informational Meeting on the Huntsville City Schools Desegregation Order sponsored by Huntsville South Civic Association

Rummage Sale

South Huntsville Consumer Survey.

Informational Meeting on the HCS Desegregation Order- Hosted by Huntsville South Civic Association

Tire Discounters Variance Meeting moved to March

Neighborhood Meeting regarding variance for Tire Discounters on Bailey Cove Rd next to Sonic.

SOUTH HUNTSVILLE CLEAN-UP DAY

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