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Home > Clayton.Talk > Archives > 2008 > March > 31
Monday, March 31, 2008
SB 458 is not an option
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
A word change in Senate Bill 458 encouraged Fayette County residents (via 17,334 telephone calls to Governor Perdue and 1,500+ emails to it’s representatives) to ask for revisions to the single word that would force them to accept students from failing school systems.
According to Rep. Matt Ramsey (R-Peachtree City), the new version states that any county “… may refuse a student for any reason, and it is completely in the discretion of the school system that would accept or deny such student’s request to attend.”
The Fayette community is “making our jobs so easy” said Ramsey, by simply getting involved - making telephone calls and writing letters to give their representatives enough ammo to kill that portion of the bill. “We have responded to the call in this situation, we care about our children, this community and we have made that emphatically clear,” Ramsey said at a recent town hall meeting.
Last month’s school board meeting at the Clayton County Performing Arts Center was an excellent show of support for our students and community. It was also must see TV for non-residents, as well a plethora of media sound bites.
However, many citizens departed after the public comments ended. Sure it was great that some got an opportunity to vent during the one minute allotted. But by leaving, they missed the most important parts since major decisions weren’t discussed until after public comments.
Clayton residents have a part to play in keeping accreditation as well, since SACS recommended more parental and community involvement with CCPS overall. With three promised resignations and four seats up for reelection, we can change things for the better. We must carefully scrutinize any possible replacements (as well as candidates for other positions up for reelection in July) and pay attention to what they are doing or not doing for and in our communities.
After this year, few will be able to say that they did not have a hand in choosing our elected officials unless one just doesn’t vote. The wrong choices could make or break this county.
Clayton’s Board of Education will meet tonight to discuss choosing a corrective superintendent. The next school board meeting will be held on Monday, April 14. The next Board of Commissioners meeting is tomorrow, April 1.
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