When an EF-0 tornado damaged the Vina High School science lab/band building on December 18, 2016, there were immediate differences in opinion as to the severity of the damage.
After he took office in early January, Franklin County Superintendent of Education Greg Hamilton inspected the building and later had an engineer inspect it. Their result? The building was a total loss and structurally unsafe.
Additionally, there was severe damage to the Vina baseball field and gymnasium. The ball field and gym were repaired with new fencing and a new roof on the gym.
But the dispute with the Alabama Division of Risk Management raged on with the science lab/band hall. Adjusters with the state's insurance arm had a different opinion on the building, believing it could be repaired.
But Hamilton, supported by an independent engineer, held firm. He would not put students back into a building he wasn't 100 percent sure was safe.
The situation was shaping up into a potential legal battle that could have lingered for years in the court system.
But Franklin County Schools received good news Tuesday when the 2018-19 state education budget was approved and reported out of both the Alabama House and Senate with a line item for $750,000 to replace the science lab/band hall at Vina.
It was the end of a long battle that, without the assistance of Sen. Larry Stutts (R-Tuscumbia) and Rep. Johnny Mack Morrow (D-Red Bay), could have been much longer.
“I want to thank Senator Stutts and Representative Morrow. They were instrumental in getting this resolved,” Hamilton said. “What could have been a long drawn-out process with Risk Management was avoided. I know how important science is and we needed kids back in a safe building so we looked for other avenues,” Hamilton added.
The system won't receive the money until after October 1, 2018, when the new fiscal year begins, but Hamilton expects to bid the demolition of the existing building out and start that process later this year. Hamilton said there will be no local funds required on the project thanks to the line item inclusion in the education budget.
In January, Hamilton and Morrow addressed the House Ways and Means Committee to advocate for funding for the Vina project. It wasn't Hamilton's only trip to Montgomery relating to the dispute.
“After more trips to Montgomery than I can remember, and multiple phone calls and multiple portfolios, the great news has finally arrived. I want to thank Senator Stutts for all his hard work throughout this entire process,” Hamilton said.
“He was instrumental in securing additional funding after it passed from the House to the Senate as well as protecting it when it went to committee serving as a conferee. I want to thank Representative Bill Poole for allowing me to address the Ways and Means Committee and Representative Morrow for standing beside me as I addressed the committee.
“The Franklin County Board of Education has stood behind me entrusting me to do what is best for the students of Vina. It's been a long process but I would do it again without hesitation for any school in this county. It was the right thing to do,” Hamilton added.
Stutts, who was instrumental in increasing the line item amount to $750,000, said he committed to help once he was contacted by Hamilton.
“I was glad to be able to help. The county schools in Franklin County are seeing increased enrollment and they needed this building replaced,” Stutts said. “I gave Superintendent Hamilton my word that what came out of the Senate would have money for this project in it and that's what happened.
“We added an additional $450,000 in the Senate because that's what they needed for this project and I'm glad to have been able to help Vina.”
Morrow described the Vina High School line item funding as his “proudest accomplishment this legislative session.” Morrow said it was a joint effort from both House and Senate members.
“I am extremely proud to report to the citizens of Vina that working with fellow House members and Senators we have added $750,000 to the Education Budget,” Morrow said. “My friends in the Alabama Legislature, both House and Senate, responded very positively to my appeal for their help. I have helped them during the 28 years I have served in the Alabama Legislature and today they helped me by including this $750,000 in the Education Budget.”
