Core Notes

Dear TCS Families,

We again want to thank you for your patience in the last two weeks as we navigated through the recent weather challenges. The safety of our students and faculty/staff remains our top priority, guiding every decision we make. We are thankful to local meteorologists, the National Weather Service, and partners like the Tuscaloosa Department of Transportation and the Tuscaloosa Police Department for helping us be informed when it comes to weather and road conditions.

Fortunately, the severe weather forecasted for Friday, Jan. 12th did not unfold as initially predicted. We then had to cancel due to winter weather on Tuesday last week. In all of these cases, we aim to use the most current predictions to make informed decisions.

As we are in the season of unpredictable weather, it's crucial to inform you about our preparedness. We have designated weather make-up days built into our schedule for February and April.

We kindly request you to earmark the following days as potential weather make-up days in case of additional school closures this semester:

February 20

April 4

These dates are currently listed as "staff planning days" where students do not attend school. They will not be used as make-up days unless we have additional closures due to severe weather.

Thank you for your cooperation and continued support.

Mike Daria, Ed. D.

TCS Superintendent

The Tuscaloosa Board of Education members do so much for our school system, that words can't express our gratitude for their leadership. January is National School Board Appreciation Month. During the Tuscaloosa Board of Education meeting Tuesday, schools from across the district hung banners signed by school children expressing our thanks. Check out the video below to see how thankful our administrators, teachers and students are for our elected leaders.

Congratulations to Northridge High School student Elizabeth Rosenstiel, who became the first female state champion in wrestling for the Tuscaloosa City Schools! She took the championship title at the competition in Birmingham last weekend.

The Central High School Marching band is hoping to go to Washington, D.C. April 4-7, when they are scheduled to give a performance on the U.S. National Mall.

But, it depends on whether the band can raise additional funds to make the trip happen. If it comes to fruition, it would be the band's second trip to perform out of state in the last eight years- possibly longer.

"These kinds of experiences are vitally important, to get them out of this area, to experience something very different from Tuscaloosa," said Central High School band director Michael Maxton. "The students can see through performance how their hard work is appreciated not only here, but in other places as well."

Also, the bonding between the band on trips such as these is important to the student experience, Maxton said.

Ideally, Central High School is hoping to take 45-50 band members on the trip. But, that would take approximately $50,000, Maxton said, at a rate of $1,000 per student.

In the fall, the band members sold items from a popcorn catalog and also sold a calendar, which raised approximately about $3,300 for the trip. Additional fundraisers are being planned to help as many people to go as possible. But, currently only about 13 band members have been able to make monthly payments to go on the trip.

This week, state Sen. Bobby Singleton announced plans to give $15,000 in legislative funding toward the band's effort, and the band is likely to get another $5,000 in legislative appropriations through state Sen. Gerald Allen. That helps the group get almost halfway toward their fundraising goal.

"I can't express how much we appreciate the senators' support in helping make this experience happen for our students," Maxton said. "Our band members have worked so hard for so long, I know this will be a memorable experience for them."

The school is hoping to receive some additional donations towards their effort, from community organizations, local leaders, or Central High School alumni, so that the entire band can go.

"This is such an important experience for our students, many of whom have never visited the nation's Capitol before," Maxton said. "Any donations would go a long way to ensure our students get the experience."

CHS Drum Major Caleb Boyd has never been to D.C., but is looking forward to the trip and wants to see the White House.

"It means a lot to have opportunities like these in school because we get to travel and experience the country," Boyd said. "Some of us get to achieve our goals and do things that we dreamed of. It also means a lot to us because we got to share ourselves with a variety of people all around the country. Plus, what's better than making memories with your friends?"

For more information about the trip or to assist in their fundraising effort, contact CHS Band Director Michael Maxton at mmaxton@tusc.k12.al.us.

Elementary students from across the Tuscaloosa City School System gathered at TCTA this week to display their gifted class projects, from robotics to science projects growing seeds to creating their version of a Mars colony. The event was part of the annual TCS Gifted Showcase. Great job, students!

Have you seen the "mannequin" challenge videos on social media? Well now the Saban Center is getting in on the action and we'd like as many of our TCS students to participating!

The Challenge: Saban Center believes that STEM and the arts are the future, and we want you to show just how fun STEM can be! Do you remember the mannequin challenge? Well, now we have the Saban STEM Stop, and your class, friends or family to join the challenge. We encourage you to be as creative as possible with their poses/formations.

Step 1 – Create a pose or formation with the class, friends or family and hold the pose as if you are frozen in time. The pose must be STEM- or arts-related. Some examples can be a ball floating in midair, students building a tower, youth performing a theatrical production or simply a human pyramid. Remember to have fun!

Step 2 – While the participants are “frozen,” slowly walk through the formation recording the pose.

Step 3 – Once you are finished recording, add the following trending audio – “Still Standing” by Taron Egerton from the movie “Sing” – to the video.

Step 4 – Write a caption for the video that includes a @SabanCenter tag and the following hashtags: #SetTheFoundation, #StemChallenge, #STEMStop, #SabanSTEMstop, #SabanCenter, #STEMchallenge and #ScienceChallenge.

Step 5 – Upload the video to your favorite social platform (Instagram, Facebook and/or TikTok). We’ll be sure to re-share and create a compilation of all of the videos!

Post Date: Begin posting the week of January 29, 2024! See below for an example of a Saban Stop video!

UPCOMING DEADLINE! Apply to one of the TCS specialty schools by Wednesday, January 31 at 3:00pm.

These schools include Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Elementary, Tuscaloosa Magnet School - Middle, the Alberta School of Performing Arts, the IB Programme at Central High School, and the Tuscaloosa Fine Arts Academy at Paul W. Bryant High School.

Apply here: https://tcs-specialty-program.lfdmypick.com/application/5

Congrats to the Tuscaloosa City Schools Special Olympics Volleyball team, who brought home the silver medal from the state competition in December! The athletes were recognized by the Tuscaloosa Board of Education during their meeting Jan. 23.

Have you heard about the planned tax referendum in 2024 that, if approved, would bring TCS needed additional revenue and set the school system for the future? Check out this Q&A below to get the facts.

Q: Why is TCS engaged in this planning process?

A: While the Tuscaloosa City Schools has served generations of our community’s children, we must continue to ensure we meet the needs of our current and future students. The costs of operating the school district have risen significantly in recent years, leading to an average deficit of about $2 million annually. The district has needed to leverage its reserve to provide the same level of programs and services to our students.

While TCS continues to have a healthy reserve, additional revenue will be necessary to avoid budget cuts and the reduction of programs and services in the future. Federal pandemic relief funding (ESSER) has been helpful in addressing budget shortfalls over the past several years. However, these funds will expire at the end of 2024.

The time has come for a long-term solution to the district’s needs.

Q: What priorities for TCS did community members identify through the input sessions?

A: Through a series of input sessions that took place in 2023, parents and guardians, educators, staff, and community members provided their input and helped set goals and priorities for TCS. Our community identified three top priorities for our district:

• Educator Excellence: Recruitment, retention, compensation, development and support for all staff members.

• Premier Student Programs & Services: Optimize positive student outcomes and opportunities.

• School Safety & Security: Prioritize the well-being and safety of students and staff members.

In developing these priorities, community members considered two areas of funding:

1. Continuation: What will it take financially to continue to fund these priorities identified as important by the community?

2. Enhancement: What will it take, in terms of cost, to expand or enhance the priorities identified as important by the community?

A total of 2,697 participated in the input sessions, while another 500 people took a survey.

Read the full report from the input sessions.

Q: How much additional funding would TCS need to meet these priorities?

A: Completely funding the continuation and enhancement of the three identified priorities would require $17.25 million. Here is how the funding would break down:

• Educator Excellence: $7.5 million ($3.5 million to continue, $4 million to enhance)

• Student Programs & Services: $6 million ($3 million to continue, $3 million to enhance)

• School Safety & Security: $3.75 million ($1.5 million to continue, $2.25 million to enhance)

The total annual cost for continuing existing efforts within the three priorities would be $8 million. The total annual cost for enhancing efforts would be $9.25 million.

Q: What solution is the district and board considering to meet these priorities?

To completely fund the continuation and enhancement of the three priorities would require an ad valorem tax of 11.5 mills. This would represent a 22% increase in property taxes for the city of Tuscaloosa.

Below is how the allocation of mills would break down:

• Educator Excellence: 5 mills

• Student Programs & Services: 4 mills

• School Safety & Security: 2.5 mills

One millage point is equal to about $1.5 million in funding for TCS.

Q: What would additional funding support for TCS students?

A: If voters approve a referendum question for an 11.5-mill tax rate increase, the district would fund the continuation and enhancement of various programs and services under the three top priorities our community developed.

Q: What happens if the referendum is not approved by voters?

A: If the referendum is not approved, the Tuscaloosa City Schools will not have the funding necessary to continue and enhance the programs and services available within the community-identified priorities of Educator Excellence, Student Programs & Services, and School Safety & Security.

The district will also be forced to reduce some programs, services, and staffing to balance its budget in the future. In recent years, TCS has been running about a $2 million deficit per year, and federal COVID relief funds (ESSER) will expire in 2024.

The bottom line is that additional revenue is needed to continue and enhance programs and services while avoiding budget cuts.

Q: Does the district have a spending problem?

A: No. While the district has had roughly $2 million deficits in recent years, those deficits were strategically planned to ensure TCS offered the same level of programs and services to students, despite rising costs. Federal COVID relief funds (ESSER) were also helpful, but will soon expire in 2024.

The fact is that rapidly increasing expenses means that more revenue is necessary to continue providing programs and services for our students at the level our community deserves.

The Alabama State Department of Education advises school systems not to have administrative costs of more than 5.1 percent of their total operational budget. The administrative costs of the Tuscaloosa City Schools is currently 4.1 percent, well under that threshold. TCS also underwent a reorganization of its Central Office in early 2024, which resulted in a $250,000 savings for the system.

Q: Could the funds from the tax increase go toward other things?

A: No. The revenue from the increased ad valorem tax would only go toward the areas of student programs, educator excellence and school safety.

These funds would be dedicated solely for the Tuscaloosa City Schools and could not be used by any other entity. No roads, no bridges.

TCS also commits to undergoing an annual audit that will be made public so that taxpayers know exactly how the funds are being used.

Q: What is an ad valorem tax?

A: An ad valorem tax is a tax that is based on the value of an item, such as real estate, personal property, or goods being imported. This is a Latin phrase that means “according to value.” This is the method used to calculate property taxes in the city of Tuscaloosa and most other jurisdictions in Alabama and nationwide.

When looking at ad valorem rates that support school systems across Alabama, Tuscaloosa falls below many leading school systems.

Q: What is the current property tax rate in the city of Tuscaloosa?

A: The current property tax rate in the city of Tuscaloosa is 51.5 mill. Of that, the Tuscaloosa City Schools receives 15.5 mill. An approved 11.5-mill increase would mean TCS receives a total of 27 mill.

Q: How would a mill increase affect my property taxes?

A: If voters approve an 11.5-mill increase for TCS, it would be a 22 percent increase on residential and commercial property taxes, and car tags. For a home with an appraised value of $200,000, that is an increase of $19.17 per month. For a home with a $400,000 appraised value, that is an increase of $38.32 a month.

Q: When was the last time the property tax millage rate was increased for TCS?

A: The last time the TCS millage rate was increased was 1986. In 2015, Tuscaloosa residents voted to continue the millage rate set in 1986 and make it permanent.

Q: Will there be future opportunities for community members to provide input?

A: Yes, TCS will host a number of community input sessions and other engagement opportunities for community members to ask questions and provide feedback. We encourage all community members to take part in these opportunities, learn about the district’s needs and potential solutions, and make your voices heard.

Q: What are the next steps in the process?

A: The TCS Board of Education has approved a referendum question for an 11.5-mill tax rate increase. In December, the Tuscaloosa City Council voted to allow a public referendum on the issue. This spring, the issue will go to the state legislature. If the question is approved by both bodies, it can appear as a ballot measure for voters’ consideration in August 2024.

Q: Will community members get to vote on the proposed solution?

A: Yes. A mill rate increase will require the approval of a majority of voters in the city of Tuscaloosa. The Board of Education has approved a referendum question for an 11.5-mill tax rate increase and the Tuscaloosa City Council voted to allow a public referendum. If the state legislature also approves the referendum question, then voters will be able to go to the polls on Aug. 27, 2024.

Q: Want us to come speak about the issue?

A: It is important that we help educate as many people as possible about the details of this referendum. Whether it's a community organization, church group, neighborhood association or a small group of friends, we are willing to come to you to discuss and answer questions. Click HERE to email us about setting up a meeting.

Check out our referendum page on the new website by clicking HERE.

Katrina Harris, a teacher at The Alberta School of Performing Arts, was recently recognized for going beyond the classroom to show love and support for her students. Mrs. Harris was the recipient of an "Everyday Amazing" shout out from parents who appreciate her support of their child:

"Mrs. Harris goes above and beyond to make sure my son is learning the things he needs. My son switched schools, and it was a lot that he didn’t know. Mrs. Harris took time out and helped him, sent schoolwork home for practice and she kept communication open! She shows that her passion is for helping children, and just for that alone we are forever grateful for her. She’s definitely the best." - submitted by parent Jazlyn Wells.

Submit your own "Everyday Amazing" shoutout about a TCS employee making a positive impact: https://survey.k12insight.com/r/everydayamazing

The Northridge High School Jazz Ensemble gave a free concert Tuesday, Jan. 23 at Moody Music Building at The University of Alabama - along with an opening performance by the UA Faculty Jazz Combo. Alabama Jazz Hall of Fame musician Mart Avant and UA saxophone professor Dr. Jon Noffsinger were also guest artists.

Originally the NHS Jazz Ensemble was going to perform at the Alabama Music Educators' Conference in Huntsville last week, where several performing groups throughout the state are invited to perform. It is considered an honor to be invited, as the groups are selected based off recordings send to the selections committee, said NHS band director John Cain.

The NHS Jazz Ensemble prepared for months for the performance. However, due to winter weather in North Alabama last week, their performance as cancelled. But, the show will go on, this time as a free concert on The University of Alabama campus.

"I've never had a group work harder to prepare for a concert and I am very thankful that they will have the opportunity to perform their program for the Tuscaloosa community," Cain said.

Reminder: TCS will be closed on Feb. 19 for President's Day. Students will also not come to school on Feb. 20 due to a teacher planning day. Plans could change for Feb. 20, only if severe weather calls for additional school closures between now and then.

Congratulations to Señor Andrew MacLean on being named the Alabama World Language Association's Promising New Teacher for 2024!! He teaches Spanish at Tuscaloosa Magnet Schools - Middle.

Curious about what will happen in case of severe weather? There may be times that the Tuscaloosa City Schools may have to close due to inclement weather. TCS administrators keep a close watch on weather forecasts with constant updates from the national weather service. When school closures are needed, that decision is made following discussions with local meteorologists and often in coordination with the Tuscaloosa County School System.

Student safety, including during severe weather, is a always a top priority. Unfortunately, severe weather is an occurrence that picks up in the winter and spring, especially in Alabama. Please stay weather aware.

School closure announcements will be made via social media, phone and email when schools have to close. However, we will make up instructional time in-person if a full day of school is missed.

Check out our weather policies and terminology here: News / Emergency Communications (tuscaloosacityschools.com)

Attendance is critical to future success. Please make sure your child is at school, on time, each and every day!

BSN Sports has set up online "swag stores" for our schools where any student, faculty or parent can buy school branded gear. This was a desire that was expressed by students during the Superintendent's student advisory meetings at the high schools last school year.

The "swag" on these sites include a variety of price points, brands, and are in men's, women's and children's sizes, plus they have cups and other items as well. On the main page, they also have gear per sport.

There is also branded gear for the elementary and middle schools, too! To see the middle school and elementary options, on the desktop website, once you have clicked on the type of item to browse, you can go to the sidebar where it says "campus" and then select feeder school, where the items will pop up with other school names. Select the school that you want.

Each feeder zone will receive 10% back of all purchases in the form of a store credit/rebate that can be used for future branded purchases by the school(s). So, support your school and show school pride!

Northridge feeder zone store: NORTHRIDGE HIGH SCHOOL JAGUARS - TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Sideline Store - BSN Sports

Central feeder zone store: CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL FALCONS - TUSCALOOSA, Alabama - Sideline Store - BSN Sports

Bryant feeder zone store: PAUL W BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL STAMPEDE - COTTONDALE, Alabama - Sideline Store - BSN Sports

It is important to remember that if you or your child see or hear something concerning, please report it to your school's principal. It can be the first step to saving a situation from becoming dangerous. Again, "See Something, Say Something!"