Pelham City Council takes first step in establishing new school system

In September, the Pelham City Council voted to establish its own municipal board of education. This move is the city’s first step toward creating its own system outside of the Shelby County School District.

Students living in homes that fall within Pelham municipality lines could be required to attend Pelham schools once the system is in place. Pelham officials estimate implementing the city’s system could take two years. 

The change could mean a lengthy drive of over 14 miles to school for many residents that live near Chelsea schools. This summer, residents of the WindStone neighborhood delivered a petition to the council to be de-annexed from Pelham. If allowed, children in the effected areas could attend school closer to home, but Pelham would suffer a loss in annual tax revenue. 

Pelham is not the first city in the area to break away from its school district. Alabaster recently broke away from the Shelby County School System. 

Pelham City Council’s next step in the separation process will be to vote on a five-member board of education for the new system.