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DEL.ICIO.USSandtown Annex Gets Ugly
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UPDATE: The Fulton district is rebuilding Westlake after all. Superintendent James Wilson said he doesn’t think the Atlanta annexation will succeed. Here’s Mary MacDonald’s story.
I was surprised to see the Westlake High School makeover project tabled. This school has been on the verge of some much-needed improvements it seems like forever. But now… the community’s interest in joining the Atlanta school district has prompted the Fulton district to put their awaited Westlake redo on hold. Here’s Mary MacDonald’s story.
Fulton officials say they are protecting their assets. Why would they build a school for another school system?
Sandtown residents looked into annexing thinking they can shed their step-child status. Instead their actions seem to have reinforced it.
You be the board member… Should Fulton County rebuild Westlake High School?
Comments
By catlady
August 17, 2006 10:51 AM | Link to this
If the Sandtown residents are petitioning to be included in Atlanta, the Fulton County school board would be foolish to spend any local money rennovating. Residents need to do what they think is right, knowing that there will be consequences, some good and some bad. School board members have to be good stewards of local money, and cannot count on APS to “repay” their investment in Westlake High(see the mess regarding public parks in the newly-formed Sandy Springs). Sometimes the right thing is not necessarily what the law demands.
By Ernest
August 17, 2006 12:33 PM | Link to this
I believe Superintendent Wilson is making a ‘fiscally responsible’ recommendation, given the uncertainty of the annexing situation. The Board members have an obligation to the Fulton county taxpayers, first and foremost.
To directly answer the question, the school probably does need to be rebuilt. The question is who should pay for it, given the current discussions.
By SET
August 17, 2006 01:56 PM | Link to this
All capital spending should cease until the rezoning is settled. You don’t buy a new car for a daughter preparing to elope. You let her new in-laws pay for it.
By MMM
August 17, 2006 02:14 PM | Link to this
Politics is rough, isn’t it? First you makes your choice, then you pays your money. Can’t expect someone else to pay the money when you are busy badmouthing them. Better not expect the new in-laws to buy that car either unless you are certain that they love you and have the resources to do so. They need a prenuptual agreement that gets them a school, or they need to consider if the wedding will really survive past the courtship with rose colored glasses.
By EW
August 17, 2006 03:09 PM | Link to this
I understand his position; however the real issue here is why did it take so long? Can we expect these students to excel in classrooms with no air? I bet my Sandy Springs students aren’t sitting in hot classrooms, now it is convenient to not start the project - one of the main reasons why these parents are trying g to get out of Fulton County.
This is really not fair to the students… Fulton County should be ashamed.