Northport Approves Facilities Feasibility Study For Proposed City School System

NORTHPORT, AL — The Northport City Council on Monday voted unanimously in favor of approving to move forward on a feasibility study relating to facilities and demographics as Northport considers the arduous and costly process of starting its own city school system.

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More specifically, the study will be conducted by Birmingham-based Criterion Consulting, LLC — a firm that has also done work with other municipalities in Alabama looking to break away from their respective county school systems.

City Administrator Glenda Webb explained that the study would involve a deeper look into the financials of the proposed endeavor, in addition to assessments and evaluations of facilities, demographic data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) data.

The feasibility study, she said, will also give provide more insight into how the city can factor in growth in relation to the impact on a new Northport school system.

"As we consider continued discussion of establishing our own school system, we've been requested to reach out for additional due diligence from another firm for financials and facility improvements ... you may be aware of them. They have assisted other school systems throughout the state."

The contract was approved unanimously and will not exceed $50,000.

"Some of this will be hourly based and we anticipate it being less than $50,000," Webb said.

Criterion is made up of former school administrators and educational professionals, with clients including, among others, the City of Chelsea in its push to leave the Shelby County School System.

The City of Alabaster, another Criterion client, who officially split from the Shelby County school system in 2014, represented another anecdote referenced by many who support Northport's own secession.

In the eyes of many, Northport's own push for independence draws parallels with the City of Chelsea. Looking at other connections to the Shelby County debate, Patch previously reported when the Northport City Council last September opted to hire Chelsea-based law firm Boardman, Carr, Petelos, Watkins & Ogle.

The firm, which is also handling the City of Chelsea's attempt at seceding from the Shelby County school system, was previously hired to with provide insight on a range of questions left unanswered by the update initial feasibility study, on topics relating to tax referendums and annexations.

In Northport's case, the temperature on the council leans overwhelmingly toward secession from TCSS, with city leaders citing its reasons, including rapid population growth and the need for more direct community input.

As Patch previously reported, the initial feasibility study ultimately concluded that Northport has the means to start and sustain its own school district, which would have an estimated annual operating budget of $54 million. The findings were received with mixed reactions from a skeptical community, with many detractors arguing that the city paid a firm to tell it what it wanted to hear, given the abundant vocal support for secession.

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