Local responsibility
Decisions closer to home
A Fairhope school board and leadership team will focus every long-range decision on the schools and families they serve here.
For students. For teachers. For Fairhope.
A brighter future.Built here.
Why Fairhope should have its own city schools
Fairhope’s children deserve a school system built around their future—not one where our community is only one voice in a countywide plan. A city system will allow Fairhope the scope to plan boldly, support teachers directly, and create more opportunity right here at home.
Community advocacy about a proposed system. Not an official City, school district, or PARCA website.
Our children.Our community.Our future.
Locally ManagedStronger schoolsGreater opportunities
Why city schools?
Fairhope should lead Fairhope schools.
Fairhope should shape a public school system around Fairhope students—and have local leaders who are from this community and understand this community.
Intentional growth
A plan built for Fairhope
Facilities, staffing, courses, and services will be planned around Fairhope’s growth instead of one countywide set of priorities.
Greater opportunity
More room to create
Local priorities will make room for stronger college preparation, career pathways, teacher support, and student services.
These opportunities will never be possible in the county system.
That is this campaign’s position.Local leadership that knows Fairhope. Having leaders who live in the community, understand the community, and stay connected to the families their decisions affect.
Fairhope Vision
Strong schools. Targeted Solutions.
Fairhope’s schools have a proud foundation, and the next generation deserves a system that plans specifically for this community’s growth, facilities, and ambitions.
Fairhope-specific leadership
Fairhope schools are currently governed as part of Baldwin County Public Schools. A city system will create a separate public system focused here.
Facilities that keep pace
Recent investments matter. The next question is whether Fairhope should own a long-range plan for academic, athletic, and campus needs as the community grows.
College and career reach
Families can ask for deeper college counseling, advanced coursework, university partnerships, and specialized pathways that help every student aim higher.
These supplied photos show familiar Fairhope High spaces; they are not a facilities-condition assessment.
What local leadership makes possible
Fairhope will be able to build around its students.
A future board and city school budget will set the final plan. Local governance gives Fairhope the authority to put these priorities at the center of that work.
College preparation
More advanced courses, dedicated college counseling, admissions and essay workshops, test preparation, and university partnerships.
Career pathways
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math), aviation, marine science, artificial intelligence, skilled trades, arts, internships, and industry-recognized credentials shaped around the Gulf Coast economy.
Teacher investment
Locally designed compensation, benefits, National Board Certified Teacher support, coaching, professional learning, and tools chosen with direct teacher input.
Early learning and support
More Pre-K capacity, mental-health and student-support services, smaller learning groups, summer programs, and stronger family connections.
A nearby example
Gulf Shores chose a new path.
Gulf Shores approved formation of a city system in 2017 and began operating it in 2019. Its experience shows the kinds of priorities a locally governed system can pursue through a mix of grants, state and local revenue, and initiatives requiring no additional funds.
Current Gulf Shores teacher investments
Gulf Shores invested in the people in its classrooms.
Gulf Shores’ current strategic plan reports tangible employee investments made by its own system. These are Gulf Shores choices—not promises for Fairhope—but they show what a local board can choose to prioritize.
- Teacher pay
- 6.15%
- approximately above the state minimum
- Teacher Empowerment
- Responsive Administration
- local cohort, mentoring, and supplemental pay
- Special-duty rates
- $40 / $250
- $40/hour program managers; $250/day summer literacy
- Staff wellness
- Teacher benefits
- Gym membership, Clinical psychologist on staff, Maternity and Paternity leave
Examples of what Gulf Shores is doing
Career pathways
- Aviation and aircraft construction
- Robotics, coding, and drone certification
College preparation
- ACT and National Merit preparation
- AP courses and expanded dual enrollment
Learning beyond the classroom
- Paid internships and career academies
- Coastal science and place-based learning
Student support
- Wellness and mentoring
- Expanded after-school and summer learning
Before and after local governance
Evidence of Improvement
Official records show how posted high-school scores and local investments changed across these periods. This is a practical comparison—not proof that governance alone caused every result.
Posted report-card scores
Before: 2018–19 GSHS86B grade
->After: 2021–25 GSHS90–93A grades
These are Gulf Shores High School’s published state report-card scores: 86 before the city-system transition and 90, 91, 91, and 93 in the four available city-system years. Alabama issued no report cards in 2019–20 or 2020–21. The trend does not by itself prove what caused the change.
Facilities and learning spaces
Before local governance
Local facility priorities had to compete with 7 other feeder patterns needs and the County's limited resources.
After local governance
Gulf Shores launched a $10.1 million modernization effort projected to reduce energy use by 33%, then opened a new high school with specialized labs, arts spaces, and athletic facilities.
Programs built around place
Before local governance
Programs were planned within one countywide system serving more than 30,000 students.
After local governance
Gulf Shores created local pathways including an aviation academy whose students built an FAA-approved aircraft that completed its first flight, alongside advanced coursework and university partnerships.
This is possible here, too.
Fairhope will choose its own path. Gulf Shores does not guarantee Fairhope’s outcome, but it demonstrates how a city system can pursue ambitious choices through mixed funding sources.
The financial picture
Let the numbers do the talking.
PARCA’s FY2024 model used public data and a BCBE fall-2023 projection of 2,835 students. It projected $40.137 million in first-year revenue. The model gives Fairhope a credible reason to keep planning.
Read the PARCA projection (PDF, opens in a new tab)Projected per student
Projection, not promisePARCA projected funding per student
Revenue before debt$14,158
-Annual debt service$2,587
=Available after debt$11,571
Baldwin County per student funding in Fairhope$8,530per student
→Projected city-system funds after debt$11,571per student
Projected planning difference+$3,041per student · $8.621M annually
PARCA compared $11,571 with $8,530, an inflation-adjusted 2018–2023 average of reported direct expenses at four Fairhope schools. That direct-expense figure excludes pooled system-wide costs. The difference would still need to cover central administration, shared services, and other system-wide costs; it is not an automatic surplus.
What any remaining difference could support
Put more of the plan behind students and teachers.
PARCA’s projected $3,041-per-student difference is not a guaranteed surplus. A new system would first have to fund central administration, transportation, shared services, and other system-wide costs. Any amount remaining could then be budgeted publicly around Fairhope priorities such as these.
Teachers
Compensation, benefits, coaching, professional learning, and hard-to-fill positions.
Classrooms
Additional teachers, smaller groups, updated materials, and space planned around enrollment.
Technology
Current devices, classroom tools, cybersecurity, and technical support.
Programs
College preparation, career pathways, arts, athletics, and student services.
Equipment
Industry-standard labs, athletic and arts equipment, and everyday instructional supplies.
Facilities
Renovations, new capacity, maintenance, safety, and campuses designed for future growth.
A responsible way forward
Change is hard. A clear plan makes it possible.
Fairhope can move forward confidently by turning the biggest concerns into measurable parts of the plan.
People
Leadership, staffing, students and a thoughtful transition.
Schools
Facilities, transportation, services, and attendance boundaries.
Accountability
Startup costs, annual budgets, public reporting, and measurable goals.
Important questions
Straight answers.
The strongest case for change is honest about what the evidence supports—and what a future board would still need to decide.
What is a city school system?
A city school is still public education. The difference is local governance: a separate public system with its own local board and leadership focused on Fairhope schools. Its creation and transition will follow Alabama law and a public separation process.
Can Fairhope afford a city school system?YES
PARCA’s model indicates YES. With the Federal, State, County and Local funding Fairhope is entitled to; Fairhope can definitely afford to operate a city school system. A projected $40.137 million in first-year revenue; leaves $11,571 available per student after projected debt service. Those figures support moving forward with a detailed public transition plan and operating budget; they remain projections rather than a final budget.
BCBE says Fairhope can’t afford a City School?FALSE
BCBE has publicly stated Fairhope can’t fund a city school system without raising taxes. That is absolutely incorrect and proven through the feasibility study. The truth is BCBE does not want to lose another school from their system (i.e. Gulf Shores, Orange Beach). Especially from a community that generates significant property tax revenue. Their arguments are same ones used against Orange Beach and Gulf Shores and proven incorrect.
Does the projection guarantee no new taxes?NO
No. The feasibility study presents that a system could be funded without a tax increase. However, depending on future growth and desire for new programs, facilities, and administrative support; taxes or a mix of other funding may be required.
Will our teachers lose their jobs and retirement?NO
As stated earlier, teachers will keep their retirement and benefits through RSA whether they remain part of the new city school or choose to work with another county school system.
Will this benefit me as a teacher?YES
Yes, a city system supports the teachers as well as the students. For example, Gulf Shores currently reports teacher pay about 6.15% above the state minimum, National Board certification earns a $10,000 bonus, special-duty pay, and staff wellness programs. A future Fairhope board and public budget will determine Fairhope’s compensation, benefits, staffing, and professional-learning plan.
Is this just an effort to eliminate certain neighborhoods in the Fairhope area?NO
Certainly not! As mentioned earlier, Fairhope is proud of it’s greater community; but due to continued growth and development on the Eastern Shore, our system and infrastructure are stressed by decisions out of the city’s control. People who live outside the city, don’t pay city taxes like city residents do. The city would welcome any and all residents from Montrose down to Point Clear that would like to annex into the city.
Is it true that the State encourages cities to create their own city school systems after reaching a certain population?YES
Title 16 of the Code of Alabama 1975 states “when a municipality under a county board's jurisdiction reaches a population of 5,000 or more, the schools within the city limits shall be vested in a city board of education.”
I’m retired. Why should I support a city school system?
Whether you retired here or moved here as a retiree, you should be very interested in a city school system. A strong school system maintains property values. It attracts health professionals because they want their kids to have the best. It also attracts business professionals who know they can hire quality workers who are products of the Fairhope City School system. And if you have children, they will likely want to live in an area where they can find a quality job and raise your grandchildren who can attend an exceptional school system.
What if my children live outside of Fairhope city limits?
The final decision for students living outside the city limits will be determined by the Alabama State Board of Education. Initially (legally) Fairhope can only accommodate students who live within the city limit. However, following precedents of other schools; students my grandfather in for a period of time; families may choose to annex into the city; a reasonable tuition may be assessed; or a family may qualify Choose Act funding to pay for city school tuition. This will all be determined through the transition process, the State and the new Fairhope City School Board.
What do you have against BCBE?
BCBE has a tremendous responsibility educating students across a county as large as Rhode Island!! Fairhope is fortunate that we have attained a population size and stability that allows us to follow the state constitution and create our own school system. This will actually lessen the burden on Baldwin County Board of Education allowing them to focus their efforts on the remaining 6 school systems throughout the County.
Why do we have so many private schools in the area?
Fairhope zip code actually has a higher percentage per capita of students in private school than any other city in Alabama. Families choose private schools for a number of reasons (religious, classroom size, athletics, targeted curriculums and course offerings, etc.) Being part of a county system limits a students classroom options. The County feels obligated to act as a “one size fits all” model. In Baldwin County,
What can I do to help make this happen?
Support the conversation, read the source material, and contact the mayor and City Council. Tell them your position and explain why you believe a Fairhope-focused public school system is the right choice for local students and teachers.
Our children. Our community. Our future.
Tell Fairhope leaders you support the conversation.
Write the mayor and City Council. Share your position, ask for a transparent plan, and explain why you believe Fairhope students deserve a system focused on Fairhope.
Documents and links
Read the source material.
See the supplied proposal, the financial methodology, Gulf Shores program examples, and the public sources behind this page.
Proposal draftPARCA (Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama) Complete Feasibility StudyThis is the official 56 page Fairhope City School feasibility study including supporting material. A majority of this data is from 2024 reporting in 2025. This study was provided to the city of Fairhope for review; leading to the city's commissioned study by Criterion. This was only meant as a reference guide.-> (PDF, opens in a new tab)Financial projectionPARCA revenue projection for a proposed systemTwo-page brief with assumptions and caveats-> (PDF, opens in a new tab)Program exampleGulf Shores City Schools added programsBrowser-friendly copy of the supplied Gulf Shores overview-> (PDF, opens in a new tab)Formation historyGulf Shores approves formation of city school systemAL.com coverage from October 2017-> (Web article, opens in a new tab)Teacher benefitsGulf Shores City Schools strategic planCurrent compensation and employee-benefit commitments-> (Web page, opens in a new tab)Growth planningBaldwin County subdivision regulationsCounty process for subdivisions in unincorporated areas-> (Web page, opens in a new tab)Early learningAlabama First Class Pre-KState grant program, enrollment, and waitlist process-> (Web page, opens in a new tab)Before-and-after evidenceAlabama Education Report Card portalSelect 2018–19 and Gulf Shores High School, then later years, to verify the published school scores-> (Web portal, opens in a new tab)Teacher compensationGulf Shores 2026–27 salary scheduleOfficial rates for National Board support, program management, summer literacy, and local travel-> (PDF, opens in a new tab)Facilities and programsGulf Shores’ new high schoolOfficial overview of specialized learning, arts, and athletic spaces-> (Web page, opens in a new tab)Facilities and efficiencyGulf Shores modernization projectProject-partner overview of HVAC, water, learning-space, energy, and savings improvements-> (Web page, opens in a new tab)Student opportunityGulf Shores Aviation AcademyOfficial record of the student-built, FAA-approved aircraft and certification pathway-> (Web page, opens in a new tab)
Important context
PARCA assessed financial feasibility using public data and stated assumptions. It does not recommend a course of action. Its per-student figures are communication measures; Alabama funding does not move dollar-for-dollar with each student. Gulf Shores examples are not promises of what Fairhope will adopt or achieve.