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A few new businesses are trickling into Clayton County. At a time when much of the attention is focusing on problems in the school system, it’s refreshing to learn new jobs are being created. Read my latest blog entry on Wordpress
Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2008 > February
February 2008
Dear BOE: Resign or be recalled
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
These are the options, according to many residents who blogged that they want the entire school board gone, no exceptions.
The newly formed Clayton Students’ Coalition and The Clayton County Education Association (teachers union) have both called only for the resignations of Lois Baines-Hunter, Norreese Haynes, Rod Johnson and Sandra Scott.
On Saturday March 1, The Concerned Citizens Coalition (“CCC”) will sponsor a “March For Our Children”.
Marchers will meet at 8 a.m. at the Lake Harbin Plaza located on the corner of Lake Harbin Road and Maddox Road. The march will proceed at 8:30 a.m., heading 1.2 miles to the south side Peach Plaza on the corner of Lake Harbin Road and Hwy 42 in Rex. To volunteer or donate, call 866.257.0395.
All are welcomed and needed, regardless of race, creed, color, political affiliation or any county organization you belong to.
If you are not interested in the recall but would like to support the children, please march.
There will be district representatives available to collect recall signatures. If you wish to sign: -Know that if you are NOT a registered voter, your signature will not count. -Find out which district you are in (http://www.clayton.k12.ga.us/administration/boardofeducation/members.asp). -If you have a voter’s registration card, bring it with you (not a requirement). Each district needs 30% of it’s registered voters to sign the recall petition in order for it to be effective.
The CCC will ask for resignations at the March 3 school board meeting (CCPS Administrative Complex, 1058 Fifth Avenue, Jonesboro at 7:00pm). If resignations are not tendered, recall petitions will be turned in to the Board of Elections immediately or once enough signatures are obtained.
Keep in mind Mark Elgart of SACs has already stated that recalling school board members will not guarantee that accreditation will automatically be saved.
Permalink | Comments (96) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
SOS= Save our schools, Part II
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
On March 15, The Southern Association of Colleges & Schools will vote whether or not to revoke the accreditation of Clayton County Public Schools.
Our board of education would have until September 1 to make the necessary improvements.
Problem areas identified in the SACs report have absolutely nothing to do with the students who will be affected by their decision. Nor does it have anything to do with homeowners, whose property values are already not worth the paper the tax assessor wrote them on.
The problems (micromanaging; questionable hiring practices; altered attendance records; influence by outside interests; need for a full forensic financial audit, among many other things) rest with BOE members, and their inability or refusal to do their job ethically.
This is just the beginning, folks. How many tenured teachers will work in an unaccredited school system?
How many children’s futures are in jeopardy?
How many good residents will sell their homes at a loss just to get out of Dodge? And if they can’t, how many will simply rent out their unsellable homes to less than desirable tenants?
So, what should we do Clayton? Should we: (1) Seek out an alternative accreditation agency; (2) Join District 9 by recalling BOE members in our individual districts; (3) Wait out their elected terms in order to vote them out; or, (4) Ask BOE members to put Clayton County first and resign, as a show of good faith to SACs? (Especially since according to the report, some may not even live here anyway!)
The latter is unlikely. Past calls for resignation(s) have been completely ignored. But it is obvious something has to be done, and sooner rather than later. Any suggestions?
Paging Governor Sonny Perdue … STAT! Email: http://gov.georgia.gov/00/gov/contactus/0,2657,7800674994820188,00.html Snail Mail: The Office of the Governor, State of Georgia, 203 State Capitol, Atlanta, Georgia 30334 Telephone: 404.656.1776 Facsimile: 404.657.7332
Permalink | Comments (135) | Post your comment | Categories: Kimberly Allen
What’s love got to do with it?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
I guess I’m getting old, because I am starting to equate Valentine’s Day with other nonsensical holidays created to get us to spend money.
Like many, I’ve seen my fair share of Valentine’s Days and had no one to celebrate with. So while I am thankful for my soul mate, I’m just not feeling it this year.
My husband was surprised when I told him not to buy me anything. I suggested if he really wanted to get something, a card would be nice.
A co-worker overheard and asked how could I not want anything. I explained that I know my husband loves me and even if I was unsure of how he felt, candy, flowers or anything with Valentine’s Day written on it wouldn’t reassure me anyway.
Plus it is not like he doesn’t buy me any of those things at any other time. He’s pretty good at surprising me with a bouquet of flowers every now and then, and I love that.
But let’s face it, a dozen roses purchased for Valentine’s Day is equivalent to paying off a bill, maybe two depending on which bills you pay. Further, like for most Americans money is tight for us right now and it just feels like a waste of money.
I’m sure many feel this way about other holidays like Christmas, and although I would not compare the two that is a holiday we go all out for. Although bills come first at that time as well, and gifts are secondary.
Do you care about or celebrate Valentine’s Day? If so, what’s the best gift you have ever received?
Will you be upset if you don’t receive something from your loved one?
If you will celebrate, have a happy!
Permalink | Comments (15) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
Learn and earn in Clayton?
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Fulton County has instituted a privately funded, 15-week pilot program that will pay 40 students to learn. This concept is the brainchild of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich and his daughter, Jackie Cushman.
The eighth and 11th graders were selected based on attendance, grades, test scores and free or reduced lunch status.
Students will be paid $8/hour to study four hours per week after school.
Eighth-graders will receive a $75 bonus and 11th graders will get $125 if they improve their math and science grades to a B, and attain specific test scores. Eleventh graders could earn $605 per semester for doing what they should be doing anyway.
According to news reports, “The hope is that the bribes will boost students’ motivation to learn, attend class and get better grades.”
My first thought is this is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. Life just isn’t this simple, and we could be misleading our children to believe that it is.
However, those who support the program believe this will help poorer students who might choose to work at a minimum wage job over studying. They also contend that parents who can afford to do so have always rewarded their children in some way when they do well in school.
I would much prefer to see a learn and earn program similar to North Carolina’s. There, students attend high schools located on selected college campuses and in no more than five years earn their high school diploma. Students graduate with two years of college credit or earn an associate’s degree. All for free.
Would you want to see Learn and Earn happen in Clayton County Public Schools? Would you allow your child to participate?
Permalink | Comments (28) | Categories: Kimberly Allen
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