School Improvement Projects

January 25, 2023

All families, faculty, and staff in the Hillcrest High School feeder pattern are invited to an informational meeting on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at 6 pm at Hillcrest High School. The Hillcrest High feeder pattern includes Big Sandy Elementary, Duncanville Middle, Englewood Elementary, Hillcrest High, Hillcrest Middle, Maxwell Elementary, and Taylorville Primary.

The purpose of this meeting is to share information with you about proposed improvements for all students in the Tuscaloosa County School System, and proposed improvements specific to the Hillcrest High feeder pattern.

How would these improvements be funded?

Funds to support these improvements would be generated by an additional eight mills of property taxes in Tuscaloosa County. All registered voters in Tuscaloosa County will have the opportunity to vote on the eight mill property tax on Tuesday, February 14, 2023. The February 2 meeting is an opportunity for you to learn how these funds would be used to support students.

Currently, Tuscaloosa County ranks at the bottom of the state in millage rate for local school funding; however, TCSS is one of the largest school systems in the state. Out of 139 school systems in Alabama, TCSS is number one by geographic size and number nine in student population. TCSS serves approximately 19,000 students. The last time Tuscaloosa County voters approved a millage rate increase for local school funding was more than 100 years ago, in 1917.

Below is a brief summary of the proposed improvements for all TCSS schools.

Proposed improvements that would impact the entire district include:

• More school resource officers and building security improvements
• Pre-K available to all students
• Smaller class sizes
• More electives and career tech options
• Dual enrollment scholarships
• Art and music classes for elementary schools
• Increased mental health resources
• Construction of a centrally-located performing arts venue

The first round of proposed improvements for the Hillcrest High Attendance Zone includes:

• Classroom addition for Big Sandy Elementary
• Renovations for Englewood Elementary
• Expanded plans for Hillcrest High competition gym
• Upgrades for middle school athletics facilities

These are not all of the projects that would be completed in the Hillcrest High attendance zone, only the first round. Also, revenue generated by the eight mills would free up other funding to address additional projects across the attendance zone.

How much does eight mills equate to in dollars?

• If Tuscaloosa County voters approve the eight mill property tax, someone who owns a home or property with a $100,000 assessed value would pay about $75 per year in additional property tax.

• Someone who owns a home or property with a $200,000 assessed value, would pay about $150 per year in additional property tax.

• Someone who owns a home or property with a $300,000 assessed value, would pay about $225 per year in additional property tax.

The funds generated by the eight mills would provide approximately $15 million each year, to meet needs of TCSS schools, not addressed by current local, state, or federal funding.

This information and more will be presented at the meeting Thursday, February 2, at 6 pm at Hillcrest High School. You may also read more at our TCSS web site.