CULLMAN, Ala. – Sen. Garlan Gudger, R-Cullman, on Wednesday announced a major investment in rural Alabama schools following the Alabama Legislature’s full funding of school transportation for public schools.
“For years, school systems have been forced to use money intended for the classroom to cover the cost of getting students safely to and from school. With this year’s investment, rural school buses can operate without taking dollars away from teachers, students and classrooms,” Gudger’s office reported. “For the school systems in Senate District 4 alone, full transportation funding means freeing up more than $3 million in funding each year that can remain focused on educating students.”
Cullman County Schools Superintendent Dr. Shane Barnette shared what the investment means for Cullman County.
“I am very appreciative of Senator Gudger and our other local legislators, Heath Allbright, Cindy Myrex and Tim Wadsworth, for making the funding of school transportation a priority,” he said. “For decades, our school system, as well as many others, have operated in the red trying to provide buses for our students and families. While operating in the red, these additional funds have been pulled from limited local resources that could be used for other things. I am thankful that Senator Gudger and our delegation listened to our concerns and worked to help us in this area.”
“This didn’t happen by accident. It happened because we made rural Alabama a priority and worked together to get it done,” Gudger said.
Gudger expressed his appreciation to Governor Kay Ivey, State Superintendent Dr. Eric Mackey, Lt. Governor Will Ainsworth, Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, Senate Education Budget Chairman Senator Arthur Orr, House Education Budget Chairman Danny Garrett, House Rural Caucus Chairman David Standridge and his colleagues in the Alabama Senate and House for working together to reach this milestone.
“And we’re just getting started. We’re going to keep working, keep investing and keep moving rural Alabama forward,” Gudger said.
