Huntsville chamber approves schools’ consent order

Dr. Casey Wardynski is superintendent of Huntsville City Schools. (CONTRIBUTED)

HUNTSVILLE – An influential voice in Huntsville community affairs has issued its support for a compromise agreement for Huntsville City Schools.

The Board of Directors with the Chamber of Commerce of Huntsville/Madison County has approved a position pertaining to the consent order, “Hereford & United States vs. Huntsville City Board of Education” between Huntsville City Schools and the U.S. Department of Justice.

In general terms, a consent order is an agreement that multiple parties have agreed upon concerning a dispute. The Huntsville consent order would resolve remaining issues and eventually end the school desegregation case.

“The chamber supports the compromise consent order between the Huntsville City Schools and the Department of Justice,” according to the chamber’s release.

“The order provides for equitable facilities and programs at all schools in the district while furthering the goals of integration and positions Huntsville City Schools to achieve unitary status. With unitary status, the local school board would regain accountability to provide the best education for our students and create the highest standard of living for our community,” the release stated.

For several months, Huntsville school administrators and attorneys have deliberated with the U.S. Department of Justice to write the consent order, solve questions and thus end the school desegregation case.

Federal District Court Judge Madeline Hughes Haikala will hold hearings on the rezoning case on March 11 starting at 9 a.m. at the Huntsville Federal Courthouse in the second-floor courtroom. Hearings will resume on March 12 before Judge Haikala rules on whether or not to accept the proposed consent order.

Located at 225 Church St., the Huntsville chamber represents more than 2,000 businesses and organizations in the Huntsville metro area. For more information, visit hsvchamber.org.

Dr. Casey Wardynski is superintendent of Huntsville City Schools. To access the consent order, visit ProposedConsentOrder.com. For more information, visit huntsvillecityschools.org.