BESSEMER, Ala. ( WIAT ) — Bessemer City School’s parent and alumna Tiara Tompkin is one of several parents who say they feel a mix of emotions after learning that the Alabama State Board of Education voted unanimously to take over Bessemer City Schools.
“I am kind of excited, excited to see you know what will happen and how the system will grow, and as a parent I’m kind of in-between,” said Tompkins. “It kind of leaves several question marks, like you know just what if, or what is going on with the system.”
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According to Alabama State Superintendent of Education Dr. Eric Mackey, the unanimous vote on Aug. 8 to take over the Bessemer City Schools comes after months of discussions between
the state and the Bessemer School Board. Discussions of the takeover began after it was discovered there were discrepancies in a special audit that showed financial concerns.
“I actually sent in a special team to see, you know, what was going on in Bessemer and could we avoid a takeover,” said Dr. Mackey. “Were there things we could do to help them get back on track. We asked the state examiners to do a special audit.”