A push for ‘Modernizing’ school funding; Constellation’s big news; and a Culver comeback? all in this week’s OTR

Off The Record: The latest rumors and rumblings in North Alabama

‘Modernizing’ school funding

Expect a lot of discussion on updating Alabama’s school funding policies in the next legislative session. Heavyweights Sen. Arthur Orr, the chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance and Taxation Education, and House Education Budget Chair Danny Garrett will be playing a big role in the conversations that are already underway. It seems that more than 30 years have passed since Alabama’s policies for funding schools have been updated. Currently, the state uses a resource-based formula that calculates funding based on student enrollment, whereas the Every Child Alabama Coalition is advocating for a student-weighted formula that formulates funding based on the needs of the actual students in their schools. The effort seems to be gaining support, Alabama is one of only six states that funds schools based on enrollment.

Big news coming out of Constellation

We hear the Constellation development in downtown Huntsville has some big news. Details are being kept mum, but the mixed-use development has reportedly landed “a large national restaurant” that has yet to be announced. The three-acre site off the Heart of Huntsville Drive is already home to the luxury Constellation Apartments, and a Starbucks is set to open next month.

Culver comeback?

Rumors from local politicos say former Huntsville City Councilman Will Culver may be ready for a political comeback. Culver previously represented District 5 on the Huntsville City Council before he was upset by James Meredith in a 2020 runoff election. It now seems he is considering a return to city politics, but in a new position and District. Sources say Culver is mobilizing to run for the open Huntsville City School Board spot in District 1 that is currently held by Michelle Watkins. Meanwhile, longtime PTA Leader and community advocate Chaundra Jones has qualified to run for the position which includes most of Northwest Huntsville. Watkins has announced she will not run for re-election and will instead challenge District 1 City Councilman Devyn Keith in the August municipal elections.

Applause for the Bailor Group 

At a recent speaking engagement at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, a local business strategist reportedly made quite the impact. A speech by Sonya Bailor, CEO of Bailor Group, at the University of Alabama at Huntsville’s I2C building apparently led to endless lines for photo ops and extended Q&A sessions that went far after closing. Bailor, who has close ties with NFLA among others, is also rumored to be prepping for a big announcement in the coming weeks. 

Ringers for the win?

Armed Forces Week in Huntsville features the annual Redstone vs Community softball game that pits Redstone leadership against many local government officials. In previous years, Team Redstone has been dominant but this year the Community team – called the Rockets – won the Wednesday night game at Toyota Field by a score of 21-13. Observers noted that while several elected leaders like Madison Mayor Paul Finley, Madison County Commissioners Violet Edwards and Craig Hill played in the game and were coached by Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle and Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon, most of the heavy hitting was done by members of the Huntsville Fire and Police departments. Observers at the game predicted that the Redstone team may recruit a few more “ringers” for next year’s contest.