Jefferson County plans magnet school expansion that may halt plans for Irondale school system

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WBRC) - Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Dr. Walter Gonsoulin announced plans Monday to expand magnet schools within the district, a move that keeps all three public schools in the city of Irondale under county control.

The district operates under a federal desegregation order that required a federal judge to sign off on the academic expansion.

Gonsoulin added the federal ruling means the existing schools in Irondale must remain in the county system. This ruling would forced the city to start from scratch and build entirely new facilities if it chooses to establish an independent city school district.

Watch the News Conference About the Announcement

“This court order makes it clear,” Gonsoulin said. “Those Irondale schools that are magnet sites will continue to operate as a part of the Jefferson County School System for the foreseeable future.”

A federal judge approved the magnet program expansion last month. The phased rollout will includes Irondale Community School, Irondale Middle School and Shades Valley High School.

The decision creates a major roadblock for Irondale leaders who have spent months exploring a separation from the county system.

Gonsoulin said the district maintains a positive relationship with city leadership.

“We respect the city of Irondale’s right to explore these options,” Gonsoulin said. “This has never been personal. From my perspective, there is no bad blood between us and the city or between myself and Mayor Stewart. I believe I made that clear when I met with him earlier this month to discuss that court order. We stand ready to work with Irondale just as we do with all of our 20-plus municipalities.”

Irondale Mayor James Stewart was out of town Monday and unavailable for an interview. However, city officials said Stewart and Gonsoulin spoke Monday morning ahead of the school district’s public announcement.

City representatives also indicated that the city’s attorney may hold a different legal opinion regarding the federal judge’s ruling.

Leaders also shared that Irondale remains in the very early stages of the exploration process and does not plan to create an independent school system in the immediate future. The city recently completed a school system feasibility study and plans to present those findings to the public during a town hall meeting in September.

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