[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,76,87,99],{"_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",6454480,"mediaKeyId","5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721","parentId",5860782,"title","Will Hewson family and Tuscaloosa Education Foundation donate to Reading Allies; $75,000 check presented","audioSeconds",233,"startMs",224800,"endMs",457860,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721&start=224&end=457","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721/thumbnail_224800.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6454480/Alabama/Will-Hewson-family-and-Tuscaloosa-Education-Foundation-donate-to-Reading-Allies-75000-check-presented","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454480-8de689afa82292b8c6c664dd59696983/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986673&Signature=J3QtKNDXWYz7DbyNuYV9-Qzp4RURcmu7C~7CeBXd0XKT9l3WPSGxTvxprK-exyJxV95ACSjbdi~BRvpBZn9nKBcbp0oQkbcJqquDSrc5bkmdwWybSEhLGL07sIcqyvWCSZ8gvHt~Xcq0ZlXbLXnSq4V4-OVhER2ZeWSbgHaV2R3eV4Czwd5USoUE812prizD2AwjXGVJJwTYXc2kxUF-9j4x1rqnjCoOvbtB38Z12nuTQDq1P7WEQwmNVdMfJ8UuFpMLnkBBwo4sGJ0BEueToUg1IJEUdyt4qt5LAjBgeY3~6yYrAZjjxIOo4YtMwKH0lUVzBhtV5eF7iycF4kP8qw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tuscaloosa City Schools, Alabama","date","2025-09-30T22:00:56Z","article","The Tuscaloosa City Schools board on Sept. 30 accepted a donation to support Reading Allies, the district’s volunteer literacy program.

Superintendent Dr. Darius and representatives from the Tuscaloosa Education Foundation and the Houston Family Foundation told trustees that Will Hewson and his family pledged a major gift to keep volunteers in schools and expand the Reading Allies effort. Caroline, a representative of the Education Foundation, presented the board with a first installment check for $75,000. The board recognized the Education Foundation and the Houston family for their continued support.

Dr. Darius praised community partners and cited several hundred volunteers who work with students across the district, saying that the program’s scale and reported outcomes reflected strong community investment. Caroline (representing the Education Foundation) said the Hewson family pledged $800,000 to the foundation to support Reading Allies; she described the $75,000 presented at the meeting as the first installment for the year and said the foundation will hold and steward the funds and meet with district leadership to determine annual allocations.

Will Hewson, speaking for his family, said the gift is intended to help put students “on a better trajectory” and emphasized the family’s interest in the volunteer-based program.

Board members thanked the donors and staff and accepted the donation at the meeting. There was no formal competitive bidding or contract described; the Education Foundation will manage the gift and coordinate with district officials on annual distributions and school-level priorities.

The presentation concluded with brief public thanks from the board and a photo opportunity.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tuscaloosa City Schools Regular Board Meeting - September 30, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Tuscaloosa City Schools board received a community donation to support Reading Allies, with a large family gift held by the Tuscaloosa Education Foundation and a first installment check of $75,000 presented at the Sept. 30 meeting.","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":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454468,"Board approves superintendent’s personnel recommendations; retirements, hires and supplemental positions recorded",0,1800000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721&start=1800&end=1800","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721/thumbnail_1800000.jpg","/articles/6454468/Alabama/Board-approves-superintendents-personnel-recommendations-retirements-hires-and-supplemental-positions-recorded","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454468-83f2bef4889c40b88fce770f52911625/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986673&Signature=cFsmedDsflLp7s4FD6z-TmWR57ovIz2q7PIONM7-G6o38FLzlYRiPJPAoeC0jYmm4GxjFXg0hoPs413onsBz0Tok1-E-21iDXC8YSVlM586qf4SSgUaOoEDVc~~Kws~AFyDaqTIdP9Z1mmyiG-I1ZW4KzLwAMitSJQnDsvVnechelbN3bj4YJtMccp~FARM52nbX1rx~HA8eJlvHcuzeTFl1PagishIcD5aW0Fetn8B1vljT3BENz~eVZUCgsvrg5uoa-3-vOg~9fZaFq8-iTzGEVYQgEKRz3GAwDHPzh5SftOHFq4hRJeraKe92SatGXUkdRTJc1X2ywH2YmueE~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The board voted to approve the superintendent’s recommendations regarding changes in personnel, as presented at the Sept. 30 meeting.

The package included retirements and resignations, new certified and classified hires, a classified transfer, contracted coaches for 2025–26, extended-day part-time tutors and a supplement to cover teaching during planning periods. The supplemental list included additional hires, reassignment and transfers, and volunteer and contracted coach listings for the 2025–26 school year.

Superintendent personnel reporting summarized counts: the main personnel packet (page one of the record) listed two retirements, two resignations, one new certified hire, one new classified hire, one classified transfer, four 2025–26 contracted coaches, six part-time extended-day tutors and one supplement for teaching during a planning period. The supplemental list identified a further retirement and resignation, three new classified personnel, one reassignment, one administrative transfer, 13 part-time extended-day tutors, three volunteer 25–26 coaches and two contracted 25–26 coaches.

Board members were given an opportunity to set aside items for separate votes and none were set aside. The board approved the full personnel package by majority vote. The actions were recorded as final adoption of the superintendent’s recommendations.","The board approved the superintendent’s recommended personnel actions including retirements, resignations, new hires, transfers and supplemental coaching and tutor assignments as presented in the Sept. 30 meeting.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454474,"Board approves pilot to pay tuition for current staff to certify as special-education teachers; two pathways outlined",60,1280300,1340810,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721&start=1280&end=1340","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721/thumbnail_1280300.jpg","/articles/6454474/Alabama/Board-approves-pilot-to-pay-tuition-for-current-staff-to-certify-as-special-education-teachers-two-pathways-outlined","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454474-67b1b7c1407a93c74d0052c6992313f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986673&Signature=T~EcYN~o5kq4wx2pJ~ujAYSodJBYWYv5slLBN3pIQLY~vU1pRATp3aevrUTOdIWl-zyIdcZpPRp0DMgWi7w1bvl7-wUrKN~~oaBAIju9~LRUiWDjvBdBo~Q~XySVbD58dcdcjo5Hc6EHLQXDkGpgp9B9Tc1kWpWOhna5q40CfKyMASRMsVYCb-UXDeQkj~BLNqxRYeOyCO0P6sUk7~vF-jFF6~Uv3EVomeVZy8ul9-OXeqK0bE3FYbbCH3Tlqfz8X~FSCYhcRqgJcDsxs0caAClHX69xWISgIZ0j7MkJEUtldVJgcLeesZ~fyMlnHoWfrDKqkTXz7-LH9BsKYplS5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tuscaloosa City Schools board approved a pilot program aimed at addressing special-education teacher shortages by funding tuition for current employees who pursue special-education certification.

Superintendent Dr. Darius described the plan as a targeted, short-term strategy to fill six current special-education vacancies and future openings. The proposal creates two primary pathways: a tuition-paid add-on (five-course add-on or master’s route) for paraprofessionals who already hold a bachelor’s degree and a longer-term partnership with Reach University to help paraprofessionals without a bachelor’s obtain a degree at low cost.

Under the proposal the district would pay tuition up front, enabling eligible staff to begin serving in certified special-education roles potentially as early as January 2026. Participants would sign a memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlining terms; district leaders described a likely expectation that participants remain in the district for a defined period (the meeting cited a three-year MOU as the likely arrangement), while acknowledging the program involves risk if participants leave before completing commitments.

Chief points provided by presenters:
- Priority for the initial phase is paraprofessionals with a bachelor’s degree already on staff; a five-course add-on was estimated at roughly $5,000 and full tuition up to about $10,000 depending on the pathway.
- If the district fills the six vacancies with eligible staff through this pilot, the cost to the district would be well under $100,000 in the initial cohort; the CSFO and presenters said they were budgeting in the roughly $100,000 range to cover potential uptake and course costs while measuring actual participation.
- For staff without a bachelor’s degree, the district is pursuing a Reach University partnership to provide an affordable route to a bachelor’s that the district could support under the pilot.

Board members asked about enforceable commitments and repayment. Presenters said participants would sign an MOU; while the agreement would include expectations, trustees were told the district already gains an advantage because paraprofessionals who move into teacher roles are people who know the schools and students. Presenters and trustees acknowledged the program carries risk but said the shortage of special-education teachers makes a proactive investment worthwhile.

After discussion, the board voted to approve the pilot plan.","The board approved a pilot program to fund tuition for current district employees to become certified special-education teachers, prioritizing paraprofessionals with bachelor's degrees and a Reach University pathway for employees without a bachelor’s degree. The district expects budget exposure under $100,000 in the initial phase.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6454478,"CSFO reports district on track: expenditures about 81% spent at July 31; utilities and debt highlighted",65,553790,619170,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721&start=553&end=619","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5860782-6c296f93409520dd6d41e346093cb721/thumbnail_553790.jpg","/articles/6454478/Alabama/CSFO-reports-district-on-track-expenditures-about-81-spent-at-July-31-utilities-and-debt-highlighted","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6454478-43b996dd76532c837cce814ad6b5ea02/orig.mp4?Expires=1770986673&Signature=dlyAcxspIz-~3chQbMLXXR1CBK3k07DNiDCD~ulTlUHrDL2g6StOkXW3hZGFaW2d-uPBrIVjweL00kFktfdrH1FEdvP-eC8Hg-7kJpCIvjEymbWK5gKT5mz5wnYn2xzqqW32v~kxfU7OYZxaKYmpdSg~uzpa61k6h4MqkROmIY-dXONxFPpIRYsSjp9DtDeSkGDzz3XW4ma6Bv7KIEqNGADur8jGd3miPgFx0qB3LtAP1hhpKFr3LyTQ4b1LY1cUlY0QBCMONbevYgihXyyr~5vvuc75WcgohS8ui4dHc1CGRqvaON2LvqVlTnfLqeCZMVr2W3p7OnPGHbbVQ94oqg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chief School Financial Officer J. Duke presented the district’s financial dashboard and monthly reports for the period through July 31, 2025.

Duke said the district is 10 months into the fiscal year (about 83% through the year) and reported that general-fund expenditures were at approximately 81.12% of budget, meaning the district had spent roughly 2 percentage points less than a straight-line projection. He noted that on a roughly $150 million general fund this two-point underrun amounts to an order of magnitude of about $2 million in underspending through July 31.

On revenues, Duke reported sales tax collections rose slightly in July (about $1.9 million, up from $1.8 million the prior month) and said the district expected to track toward meeting the year’s sales-tax budget. He said property-tax collections closed in June for the period covered by the report (noting a figure quoted in the meeting as “34 million 676”) and that property collections will resume being reported in October. Car-tag tax receipts were cited as up year-over-year (July $257,000 versus $225,000 prior-year July) and the CSFO said the district expects to meet a $3.1 million car-tag tax budget.

Duke also walked trustees through a seven-year trend in utilities (electricity, telephone, water and sewer). He said combined utilities were approaching $4 million year to date (he cited approximately $3.9 million through July) and emphasized electricity as the largest component. Duke noted debt-service outlays tied to the 2015 school bond issue total about $10 million annually (described in the meeting as the district’s note payment on buildings each year). He said, in short, that revenues and expenditures were tracking close to budget and the district remained in “good shape” but that utilities and debt-service remain meaningful recurring outlays to manage.

Duke answered questions from board members about revenue timing and the effect of an August advancement/technology payment that he said would push revenue percentages higher once posted. He recommended continued monitoring and said his staff would return with further details if requested.

The presentation was given as an informational report; no formal action was required.","Chief School Financial Officer J. Duke told the board the district is running two percentage points under expected expenditures for the fiscal year to date (81% vs 83%), with sales tax up slightly and utilities and debt-service costs notable line items.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Will Hewson family and Tuscaloosa Education Foundation donate to Reading Allies; $75,000 check presented

Board approves superintendent’s personnel recommendations; retirements, hires and supplemental positions recorded

Board approves pilot to pay tuition for current staff to certify as special-education teachers; two pathways outlined

CSFO reports district on track: expenditures about 81% spent at July 31; utilities and debt highlighted