GULF SHORES — During the March council meeting, the Gulf Shores City Schools Board of Education approved Superintendent Matt Akin to execute a lease agreement with the City of Gulf Shores. The agreement is for the Cultural Center Auditorium, which the school system already uses.
"Our fine arts department uses it, we use it for institute, we use it for meetings," Akin said. "This lease is between the school system and the city, and the cost is no charge. We will be responsible for custodians in the buildings, which is a pretty good deal."
Akin said he and Assistant Superintendent Stephanie Harrison also looked at various locations within the building that could be used for the Gulf Shores Virtual School.
"I'm excited about the virtual learning opportunities there," said Harrison. "With the virtual school we'll have places where students can receive tutoring and collaborate on projects, and some quiet spaces. I think we'll be able to use that outside area for learning space as well for our virtual students, and then again for teacher professional development, and a performing arts space. It's really a fantastic facility."
The lease began April 1 and lasts for 19 months. The city and school system will discuss renewing the lease prior to the current lease's expiration.
Additionally, the lease states the school system will become the point of contact for reservations being made at the Cultural Center.
"As we evaluate the use of the Cultural Center Auditorium, the significant user is the school system," said Grant Brown, recreation and cultural affairs director, City of Gulf Shores. "It made better sense in our opinion for the school to really control the calendar, so that's what this is really about. Turning the calendar over to (the school system) that you can set things up in advance, use the building, be prepared and plan and know that you've got the use of it without having to call the city and always check with us. We don't mind doing it that way, but it just made so much better sense."
"We have already had great use of the Cultural Center to date, and this gives us the autonomy to be the primary calendar maker for that facility, but we will certainly be very cooperative with the city of Gulf Shores and their needs for it as well," said BoE President Kevin Corcoran.
Akin added the school system would work closely with the community and the city for use of the Cultural Center.