[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6532251,"mediaKeyId","3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22","parentId",3411708,"title","Tuscaloosa school board approves agenda, minutes, tech platform, community leases, academic guide and student code of conduct","audioSeconds",297,"startMs",2132000,"endMs",2429000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22&start=2132&end=2429","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22/thumbnail_2132000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6532251/Alabama/Tuscaloosa-school-board-approves-agenda-minutes-tech-platform-community-leases-academic-guide-and-student-code-of-conduct","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532251-1b1ecf2ff54a78a757a509dcba2b6c47/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171279&Signature=VkWs0yRvo0IR5hCHOlsLnhQxg7UwrRTJVJSRQ6jwKBURCr47ckZ1QB2iXlgJ33JpDWCgyUftocQ0rHr6ihI5LoJoVxCmNRbwmgZAaEGX6U904yQV506WTBc2Wk~ewVXZgdu~dRrqqkHS07yj6-IR6quKeaEdnrJuPnpvHVt-exOcFvSaAfh0ugaiedh1Nx-to2LwEpnq220l-eXX5iEdDouUv4mt~Lrt1YyoBV3uu4~paN5NVTCt93SVKO6fgw~W-zQtZTJ6VciFNJuKaMpkKsyZw8r-eBCMBC4z4IFvMR2kYOroHcTj5fA973Dmi9H-Mn~j19pFbWH-3rFdLldfLg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscaloosa City Schools, Alabama","date","2025-05-20T00:00:00Z","article","The Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education voted to approve several routine and programmatic items at its May 20 meeting, including the meeting agenda and minutes, a software contract for student pathway surveys, renewed partner lease agreements, and key student guidance documents.

The board adopted the May 20 agenda by voice vote and approved the minutes of the May 6 regular meeting and the May 13 board orientation; the minutes passed with one abstention. The consent agenda (items 11a–e) was approved by voice vote.

In regular agenda items, the board approved a one‑year agreement for the Zello platform for grades 3–5, expanding a tool the district previously approved for grades 6–12 to allow younger students to record interests and college/career pathway preferences as part of college‑and‑career readiness work. Dr. Pope presented the recommendation and described the contract as covering the platform, data integration and implementation services.

Trustees also approved five leases and memorandums of understanding for community partners at the New Heights sites; superintendent staff described the partners as low‑cost providers that fill family and student needs the district cannot fully fund from K‑12 budgets. The board approved the second reading and adoption of the 2025–26 Tuscaloosa City Schools academic guide and the 2025–26 parent‑student code of conduct and resource guide. Board members noted the code of conduct and the state’s enroll/enlist/employ and CCRI (college‑and‑career readiness indicator) requirements were state driven and that the district had been preparing for implementation.

All of the above motions were approved by the board on voice votes, with no individual roll‑call tallies recorded in the transcript except for the minutes vote, which registered one abstention.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuscaloosa City Schools Regular Board Meeting - May 20, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","At its May 20 meeting the board approved the meeting agenda and minutes (with one abstention), a one‑year Zello agreement for grades 3–5, five leases/MOUs with New Heights partners, the 2025–26 academic guide and the parent‑student code of conduct.","taxTitle","Tuscaloosa City Schools, School Districts, Alabama","taxId",13593,"location","Alabama","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6532255,"Marvin Duane Lucas elected vice chair of Tuscaloosa school board by ballot",264,828000,1092000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22&start=828&end=1092","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22/thumbnail_828000.jpg","/articles/6532255/Alabama/Marvin-Duane-Lucas-elected-vice-chair-of-Tuscaloosa-school-board-by-ballot","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532255-6d7411589ea5695eaa5208fb5b054076/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171279&Signature=Hv~nSo2GVewNpbOLds-NmY9Utkd9H6dJxQjC-buIENxllzugY4rRzJHEoLadLHFFUnBHnkbH2Fo5meVhkEAWXKykTVUbK7dw3SVPLMrwAjiDuAJ4-NsIEmUQlYwRgJ7vFpa-3n9ei0oQxDfrVinPtVx48z0nyYScmw-JJMBlZI~uvBJ0d-Y1fWwcp8IveDm8VbqY7wp5mB39bYsOf3k5wTHd57Apwf8Nm~JIVAOO~yRWbU9kvgJXztxIuARmdAuFXPrpshG7Xu8w4hof-XjDFgv82r1yqk0A1x4aSq-PLlDR-hRETzmUp-A2KMjFE~2a4xDHJksypATI2NfyatoqoQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","At the May 20 meeting, the Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education elected Marvin Duane Lucas as vice chair for the board’s four‑year term.

The chair opened nominations and announced that a second was not required; nominations were closed and paper ballots were distributed. Board members were instructed to fold ballots and pass them forward; the chair said votes would be announced publicly to comply with the Open Meetings Act. Ballots recorded votes for Marvin Duane Lucas by multiple trustees. The chair announced the result: Marvin Duane Lucas had received the majority and was elected vice chair.

The board thanked Lucas and moved on to other business.","Trustees nominated and elected Marvin Duane Lucas as vice chair by paper ballot during the board's May 20 meeting; the chair publicly read each vote to comply with the Open Meetings Act.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6532258,"Tuscaloosa board approves personnel recommendations including nonrenewals; trustees, superintendent cite referendum loss as driver",750,1171000,1921000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22&start=1171&end=1921","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22/thumbnail_1171000.jpg","/articles/6532258/Alabama/Tuscaloosa-board-approves-personnel-recommendations-including-nonrenewals-trustees-superintendent-cite-referendum-loss-as-driver","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532258-13e8547a7b5c4bf57220fe12740a82b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171279&Signature=okLIFuG25JOrb27MZQbnp3XCLIYdzDE9JRL-jGyY-aazE9TCa-uozu3Z4ly77rg77bqemt3ktGBItP5ni0mLsHKUq48AAYkk~qPZqFxBoZ9w4S8CFl~ITpdaoVQhmMfDxv3rpYcD37V~C~jiNKo6O6eZ1NlrXJf9btXOzRmgcwxxE52iVgr1tE9pn7eke0Db3DYNHf3V5euwqa4C94Ra~-6mExTXmIpzyTOWVZzZ~Skfi563GSk0sasjEAB5D331dfN7twgIksX2ZdMKxT4b7vj0-6US2-GVDzlehbTarfmV0rhicjEBOyHM6I3s-WR~5SehqeHZmdU3EVMZfmnwiQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education on May 20 approved the superintendent’s recommended personnel actions, including resignations, reassignments, transfers and multiple nonrenewals, and heard extended discussion about how a failed local tax referendum and ongoing budget shortfall led to those decisions.

Superintendent Dr. Cameron presented the personnel packet, summarizing the lists. The recommendation included 11 resignations, five reassignments, one certified transfer, four part‑time extended‑day tutors, 18 nonrenewals of certified employees pursuant to the Students First Act, seven nonrenewals of classified employees pursuant to the Students First Act, several spring academic incentives and other items. The supplemental list included 10 resignations, two new certified hires, one support hire, one two‑year probationary principal contract pursuant to the Teacher Accountability Act, and additional contingent hires tied to student enrollment.

Board members described the decisions as difficult and linked them to the failed tax referendum. “It was not us mismanaging money,” Trustee Leslie Powell said during discussion; she and others stressed the board and administration had spent hours reviewing options before reaching the proposed nonrenewals. Powell said some nonrenewals reflect performance issues and those positions may be rehired, while others are reductions to reduce local‑fund expenditures.

Superintendent Cameron and staff said affected employees would be notified promptly. A staff speaker said notification to the employees would occur the day after the meeting; the district noted the last paycheck for affected employees will be July 31 and insurance coverage will continue through Aug. 31. Staff also said employees who lose positions may be eligible to reapply for posted openings.

The board moved and approved the personnel recommendations. Trustees emphasized their appreciation for staff work and said they will continue monitoring budget and staffing as additional revenue details are finalized.","Trustees approved the superintendent’s personnel recommendations—resignations, reassignments, transfers and numerous nonrenewals—and discussed how the failed tax referendum and budget gap shaped those decisions. Board members said affected employees will be notified imminently; last paychecks and insurance dates were given.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6532259,"Tuscaloosa City Schools audit finds no findings; CSFO warns of budget deficit, sales-tax dip and heavy bus costs",501,118000,619000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22&start=118&end=619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3411708-41c54109955ffe4e61b2bd2f574cff22/thumbnail_118000.jpg","/articles/6532259/Alabama/Tuscaloosa-City-Schools-audit-finds-no-findings-CSFO-warns-of-budget-deficit-sales-tax-dip-and-heavy-bus-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6532259-63a53ee0f01c79ed4fa592e3ddea8654/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171279&Signature=PVj3hUlkGqwdMKxfUx2qNNWI-Tjc5TfKsPSuhA8yZT5Owe3lH3eOGlp3f1iAx54tQk6pHZDgSr-7iqjBs68WhsXLuu4O8vhA7BEsgVPZ41rC~2iv-4mC~t3cXhBJ9~Dt4x0hJlYnHLfYxrMM8Uhseu2se11521sRfZ-MPaQ00lF9MeuW4v~29K-g4U5CDhfk41ahdV7EAblpFtPvWq8A0KOjjN7s2-BssuiV~CHsczLyfGe4kaPCcl8RZLfUMHXCPUtknfw8WZDourX~~jwilJdrmyvgGAG4lOHOcRZTG-Nw3GYgu6J2rs-qzwodGzrpsIqe5ODWaRVeYHvBD1MBAw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa City Schools Board of Education on May 20 received an external audit with no findings and heard a financial update that highlighted a multi‑million‑dollar operating deficit, a year‑over‑year sales‑tax decline and ongoing high costs for school buses.

Peter Fisher, the auditor presenting the report for the state examiners’ office, said the board’s 2023–24 financial statements and its major federal programs received unmodified opinions. “We’ve issued an unmodified report on the board’s financial statements for the year ended 09/30/2024,” Fisher said, and he named the Innovative Approaches to Literacy Grant and the COVID‑19 Educational Stabilization Fund as the major federal programs reviewed. He said the audit report, published April 18, 2025, is available at www.examiners.alabama.gov.

The board’s chief school financial officer, Jay Duke, told trustees the district is roughly 41–42% through the fiscal year but is operating with a multi‑million‑dollar budget deficit. “Keep in mind we’re operating at about a $7,000,000 deficit,” Duke said, later noting an $8,000,000 figure when describing the scale of the budget gap. He described the new RAISE Act funding as a partial mitigation—“about a $1,700,000 boost to the Tuscaloosa City Schools”—but said those funds will be earmarked for specific student populations.

Duke pointed to a decline in local sales tax receipts compared with the same period last year, calling it the first such drop in several years. “Sales tax . . . $10,405,000 is less than the same period last year,” he said, and added online sales flows (SSUTA dynamics) mean some taxable activity does not benefit the city/district. Duke also described major planned bus purchases, reporting the district is buying 49 buses and that bus procurement is an unusually large near‑term expense. He cautioned that state school‑bus funding lags local costs: “We get $75,000 for a school bus, but we have to pay $137,000 for a school bus,” a gap he said increases local pressure on the budget.

Duke said the district spends roughly 72% of its operating dollars in the classroom (instructional services and instructional support services) and that general administrative services are about 4% of expenditures—better than the state recommendation of 5%. He also noted the district pays about $10,000,000 per year in debt service.

The audit presentation cited the Code of Alabama 1975 and federal Uniform Guidance for audits of federal awards; Fisher invited questions and directed any follow‑ups to the examiners’ Montgomery office. Board members praised staff for achieving an audit with no findings.

Board members did not take formal board action on the audit other than to receive the report; financial figures and budgetary recommendations will remain part of ongoing fiscal planning.","The board received an unmodified audit covering Oct. 1, 2023–Sept. 30, 2024 and heard financial reports showing a multi-million-dollar operating deficit, a year-over-year drop in local sales tax, and high school-bus costs that outpace state funding.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Tuscaloosa school board approves agenda, minutes, tech platform, community leases, academic guide and student code of conduct

Marvin Duane Lucas elected vice chair of Tuscaloosa school board by ballot

Tuscaloosa board approves personnel recommendations including nonrenewals; trustees, superintendent cite referendum loss as driver

Tuscaloosa City Schools audit finds no findings; CSFO warns of budget deficit, sales-tax dip and heavy bus costs