Gardendale is ending efforts to break away from the Jefferson County school system, officials revealed Wednesday. In a letter signed by Mayor Stan Hogeland and city school board president Michael Hogue, Gardendale informed the county board that it will not appeal a federal appeals court ruling denying the city's efforts to set up an independent school system. The 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the plan was racially motivated, a charge strongly denied by Gardendale officials. The letter also expressed a desire to work collaboratively with county school officials for the benefit of students, teachers, parents, and others with a vested interest in Gardendale schools.