By JOYANNA LOVE/ Senior Staff Writer

A special election for education funding is in the planning process for Chilton County Schools.

Attorney John Hollis Jackson explained the process during a work session of the Chilton County Board of Education on Sept. 26.

The vote would be to ensure the continuation of the millage rates of property taxes for the school system. The rate of 10 mills for education, which is a combination of countywide and district taxes, would remain the same.

The first step in holding the election is to gather 200 signatures calling for the special election. Jackson said the board would need to approve the dates for the election and then submit to it to the Board of Registrars.

Jackson recommended December and January, so it would be complete before a new probate judge, who oversees such elections, takes office.

Jackson said the current probate judge has experience with this kind of election and would help the election to go smoothly.

The board is expected to vote on when the election would be held at its next regularly-scheduled meeting.

“There is nothing in the world wrong with doing it later in the year, it just cuts it a little close,” Jackson said.

The taxes are set to expire in September 2020.

Legislation requires this vote to go to the people every 20 years.

State requirements added in the early 2000s, following a federal lawsuit claiming Alabama school systems were not adequately funded, required that 10 mills be dedicated to education. This meant an increase of 2 mills. These additional mills cannot have any “local expense deductions for collection” taken out, whereas the previously voted approved 8 mills can, according to Jackson.

The school system is prohibited from using Board of Education funding to campaign for the vote to be approved.

The board also discussed finding a replacement for Jackson, who has announced his resignation. Hiring the new board attorney will be done after the new school board members take office in November. Three school board candidates were present to look at resumes that have been received so far and hear about the process. Board president Lori Patterson said three resumes had been received. Only one was a local candidate. Another was from Birmingham, and one was from Montgomery.

A deadline for application for this contract position has not been set.

Potential stipulations for a contract with New Life Church to rent Clanton Middle School to hold services while their new facility is being built was discussed. School Superintendent Jason Griffin said he was not comfortable giving them access to classrooms, but using the cafeteria would be all right if the details of the contract could be worked out. Who would have a key to the building was also a concern.

A draft contract is expected to be reviewed by the board at a later date.