Originally published by WSFA 12 News Staff on Dec. 1, 2021 at 11:17 AM EST | Updated on Dec 1, 2021 at 7:16PM EST
Montgomery, Ala. (WSFA) – Montgomery Public Schools has officially been released from state intervention.
In June, the Alabama State Board of Education voted unanimously to release the school system. Wednesday marks the first official day the school system is no longer under state control.
MPS released a video acknowledging the release saying it plans to continue to “move forward together with a renewed energy and sense of purpose.”
MPS has been under state control since the state board of education voted to authorize an intervention in February 2017. The intervention came after concerns about the school system’s financial and academic performance.
The system’s accreditation also came into question. In 2018, MPS’s accreditation was placed “under review” by AdvancED, now called Cognia. The school system was required to show improvement in a number of specific categories.
In 2020, the review determined the school system was “in good standing,” meaning the school district had made improvements in all but three of the 31 school performance standards that needed to improve.
Montgomery Mayor Steven Reed said Wednesday’s milestone was made possible by not only students, educators and administrators but also the community.
“I am really excited for Montgomery Public Schools. I mean it is a personal kind of good feeling, but I am excited for the people I work for,” Moore added.
Moore said the school system has earned the right to be out from under intervention.
“It took a lot of hard work on the part of a lot of people,” Moore said.
Copyright 2021 WSFA 12 News. All rights reserved.