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After pausing the consolidation case for nearly 10 months, the Chambers County School Board and new superintendent, Dr. Sharon Weldon, at last met with the federal judge presiding over the case, Judge Keith Watkins, to unpause the case on Tuesday morning. 

After Weldon gave her update, Watkins accepted the case’s resumption and said he would send out an order requiring the school board to provide more frequent and measurable progress updates. 

“I don’t have any intention to run your business,” Watkins said to the school board in the meeting. “… But I do have an intent to see my orders [done].”

Some of the most pressing questions the judge and plaintiffs, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), asked Weldon were about the financial status of the school board, the next steps in the process and whether Weldon has considered moving the school location based on financial feasibility.

The next steps in the process for Weldon are reestablishing relationships with HPM, the project managers for the school’s construction and going over financial options with her new underwriter, Joe Jolly who is based in Birmingham. 

Weldon said she has not considered moving the school location because, she said in court, the decision was made by the school board and she doesn’t “have the authority to go back and change minds.” 

When asked by a legal representative from the LDF if she would consider moving the location if it were to make the project more financially viable, she said that it would be up to the school board. 

Watkins asked Weldon if the DAC (Desegregation Advisory Committee) had been reestablished after former superintendent Casey Chambley’s exit. Weldon said that Assistant Superintendent David Owen is working to get it back up and running.

Watkins wrapped up the hearing by talking about the history of dual school systems and the ongoing desegregation orders in Alabama. He mentioned his own school system and how there was a shift in leadership during their consolidation process as well.

“It’s a crazy situation that’s lasted about a hundred years and it’s about time it ended,” Watkins said. 

He charged Weldon with seeing the project through in the first quarter. He said he expects her to “be a leader, not a follower.”

Initial reactions in the courtroom to the proceedings were mixed. 

“We’re looking forward to working with Dr. Weldon and seeing the new measurable progress that the judge indicates he will require,” said Amia Trigg of the Legal Defense Fund.

Stanley Gray, the private attorney working with the Legal Defense Fund, said the judge made his expectations for the new superintendent and school board clear on Tuesday. 

“Our work is — and the school board’s work is – about ensuring the students get the best education possible,” Gray said. 

Dr. Tee Smith, founder of the local nonprofit organization UNITE, which provides academic resources for high school students, said that he was “not shocked but kind of disappointed” by the proceedings. 

Smith and other community members have been vocal with concerns about how the students of LaFayette who will be disproportionately impacted by the Valley location, such as the bus commute. 

Though he said “campaign promises were not upheld,” Smith continued, “We’re going to figure out how we can best advocate for our students on the LaFayette side of the county.”

“Just because you critique the school board doesn’t mean we don’t support it,” Smith said, adding that true support means holding officials accountable while still supporting the school system.

“I will continue to support the school district financially, with time and talents, and continue to do what’s best for our students,” Smith said. 

Weldon said to the Valley Times-News, “I definitely heard what the judge said.” She said that she is committed to following out the judge’s order, “but I’m also focusing on making sure we’re taking care of the current needs of the school system and building equity.”