A change in the configuration of two Fairhope feeder pattern schools was the subject of discussion at a recent Fairhope City Council meeting, with council members entertaining discussion from parents and the Fairhope Educational Advisory Committee.

Local parent Elizabeth Hammock started a petition that has since gathered 521 signatures to turn the existing Fairhope Elementary and Fairhope Intermediate schools into two kindergarten through sixth grade schools.

“We’ve had conversations with principals, teachers, the superintendent and school board member Cecil Christenberry, and everyone seems very supportive of it,” Hammock said. “At this point, it’s really just a matter of making it a priority.”

Hammock told council members that while the decision was one to be made by the Baldwin County Board of Education, she felt a letter of support from the council would help.

“If the board saw the support from all of these different constituents, including the city council, it certainly might carry some more weight,” Hammock said.

Vickie Bailey, who served as a representative on the Community Task Force, said the transition was in line with what the Task Force recommended and could actually help boost teaching units at the schools.

“We’re allotted a certain number of teaching units by the state for our schools,” Bailey said. “Because of the larger grade span these newly aligned schools would have, it would give you more flexibility in dividing up those units and help you better manage student-teacher ratios. It really makes it more equitable throughout.”

Hammock said the only problem she could potentially see is where the dividing lines would be set up for the new school zones.

“That really seems to be the only concerns for some people – that one school is going to end up the good school and the other the bad school,” Hammock said. “but we don’t really see that happening. Curriculum development and resources are equitable throughout the schools, so that shouldn’t be an issue.”

City Council President Jack Burrell said he wanted to give the council time to look at the proposal, adding that he didn’t want to take any official action until the new council members and mayor took office next month. He added he personally felt the plan could be a good one.

“I don’t think anyone can make an argument that this isn’t the best solution for the system,” Burrell said. “It’s just a matter of the school board taking action and making sure they get input from our community on how best to handle this.”