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DEL.ICIO.USThe Education Budget: Show Me The Money!
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Gov. Sonny Perdue gave his annual State of the State address today, where he outlined his legislative and budget priorities for the new year.
Perhaps not surprisingly, education was low on the list. Taxes, economic development, transportation, water and health care all took precedence in the governor’s remarks.
When Perdue did get around to education near the end of his speech, he maintained that this is his administration’s highest priority.
“Above all these issues … is our basic duty to our children,” he said. “Education is the best investment we can make in our future.”
So, in addition to the $14.3 million Perdue has set aside for the parent involvement program announced Tuesday, he promised to increase funding for Pre-K by $6.4 million and inject $65 million into public school systems for buses and classroom technology.
Although the governor called Georgia’s teachers the “best in the world” and mentioned they were the “highest paid in the Southeast,” he avoided talk of a teacher pay raise. He did, however, note that teachers will get another $100 gift card for classroom supplies.
UPDATE: In case you hadn’t noticed, the governor has decided to keep the annual “austerity cuts” in the state education budget next school year — although, interestingly, he doesn’t expect Georgia to be hit hard by a recession.
Comments
By JustMe
January 16, 2008 4:43 PM | Link to this
Perdue - what a joke!
He announced that teachers get a whopping 2.5% pay raise. Sorry Sonny, but that doesn’t even keep up with inflation….. translation is that teacher pay is falling behind in GA.
However, good old Sonny does want to spend over $14 million on this crazy addition called a “VIP recruiter” for schools? That is just plain stupid. Add another layer of administrators (and the cost) but short-change the people doing the actual work in the classrooms with the children!?!?!?!
Will someone please knock some sense into the GA politicans - and fast?
By .
January 16, 2008 5:00 PM | Link to this
Oh, yeah, and what about this not-so-great GREAT plan that’s going to rip our control over our schools and other public services right out of our hands?
By thomas
January 16, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
I thought about this very thing the other day.
We spat on former governor Roy Barnes because of his slurs against teachers. I admit it. I used to call him “Dummy” Roy Barnes.
Sonny Perdue cuts millions and millions from education and we love him. He gives us a $100 gift card and we love him. That amounts to $8.33 a month.
Guess the key is to smile, kiss babies, and give out a little trinket once a year.
Go figure.
By Janine
January 16, 2008 6:17 PM | Link to this
I’m with JustMe…Will someone please knock some sense into the GA politicans - and fast?
Unfortunately…I see no hope of that happening,…. do you JM???? We are in a real down hill spiral that seems to have no Terminal Station!!! Sorry, but I have lost all hope.
By JustMe
January 16, 2008 7:16 PM | Link to this
Sonny can take that $100 gift card and stick it where the “Sun don’t shine”!!!! I never liked it nor the idea. It always seemed like a poor attempt at a bribe to me.
My vote is worth more than that. I have never voted for that jerk and never will. The same goes for the Cox that is ‘in charge’ of the State Ed.
Yeah, I’ve given up on GA education. As soon as I can sell my house, I’m moving to another State. In the meantime, I’m doing my homework to find a State that gives a darn and makes at least common sense - Lord knows that ain’t GA!!!
Our politicans would rather create a new administration level in schools that simply doesn’t make sense than discuss a solution to the drought, etc. Go figure.
By Attn: Clayton Parents
January 16, 2008 11:32 PM | Link to this
Megan Matteucci has written yet another SACS story. Question: Has Megan asked SACS head Mark Elgart why he met privately with only Clayton board members Rod Johnson and Ericka Davis BEFORE he announced his “investigation”?
Clayton citizens need to know if this is an OBJECTIVE investigation, or did Elgart give a qiud pro quo to Johnson and Davis in exchange for doing a hatchet job on their political opponents?
If this sounds far fetched, ask yourself the following: Why would Rod Johnson call SACS when even the AJC has reported on his role in KNOWINGLY hiring an accused child molester to be a “bodyguard”?
Why would Rod Johnson call SACS knowing on Open Records request has CONFIRMED that his wife, State Rep. Celeste Johnson has been illegally double dipping from Clayton schools when the legislature is in session?
A very, and maybe the most plausible explanation is that he also KNOWS Elgart isn’t going to do a fair and impartial investigation, based on assurances he received from Elgart in their private meetings held shortly before Rod Johnson called SACS.
Voters in Clayton can have absolutely no assurance that this isn’t a political vendetta, the children of Clayton be damned until Elgart and Johnson are compelled to explain why these meetings took place. An objective investigation is absolutely essential for SACS’ credibility in this case, giving the very suspicious nature of the private audiences given to Rod Johnson and Ericka Davis before Johnson called SACS.
And speaking of objective investigations, does Megan have ANY excuse not to report on school board member Rod Johnson’s wife Celeste’s illegal double dipping when an Open Records request clearly shows it occured?
When Megan reported on Rod Johnson’s role in KNOWINGLY hiring an accused child molester, she allowed the reader to infer Johnson’s culpability by letting the readers know, despite repeated requests for comment Rod Johnson refused to talk about it.
Now readers have to ask the same question of Megan who, despited repeated requests has refused to address concerns that readers have on why she hasn’t reported on the double dipping of school board member Rod Johnson’s wife.
She hasn’t been banned from the Clayton Talk or Get Schooled blogs has she? I would think not, but I would also think if the AJC is really interested in fair and objective reporting (we expect editorial bias, reporting bias is simply unacceptable) Megan would be willing to come on this blog and explain this blatant, glaring omission in the AJC’s coverage.
Well?
Even if you don’t live in Clayton County, as a reader of Get Schooled you obviously have an interest in education issues. As such, I put forth that the case has been sufficently made that these are indeed legitimate questions concerning the AJC’s coverage of Clayton and SACS, and thus the readers deserve a response.
Well? :)
By jim d
January 17, 2008 6:39 AM | Link to this
JM,
Selling may be a bit slow right now since the housing market is in the toilet. However, should you succeed in moving it here’s a list to choose from
By JustMe
January 17, 2008 7:57 AM | Link to this
jd -
Thanks for the list. I’ve already checked it out. The problem with it is that the ranking is based only on certain things (how many AP classes taught, etc.). I am just as concerned with the politics of the State and the approach by the administrators.
My school is highly ranked on that list. But, I hate the GA education politics and do not agree with the school or school system administration approach.
By jim d
January 17, 2008 8:18 AM | Link to this
Lottsa luck!
Although it might mean a reduction in salary you may wish to consider a private school or watch for an opening to be posted here
By jim d
January 17, 2008 8:56 AM | Link to this
JM,
Table 5provides some intersting data for teachers considering a move.
By jim d
January 17, 2008 10:27 AM | Link to this
JM,
If it ain’t about the money, you might look here
By ironmaiden
January 17, 2008 5:54 PM | Link to this
As someone who teaches in the classroom trenches daily, I’m feeling ever more certain of a “class system” within education. Teachers are frequently “deferred” to, like mindless drones. As someone who has an Ed.S and a 26 year investment, I feel the need for a little credibility. The current admin/support services positions seem to have plenty of flexibility to take care of personal business during the school day, including long periods of inaccessibility to teachers/students. Important decisions are made for the “serfs” to deal with while no fallout seems to stray near their semi-secluded offices. Yea, we need more administrators in Georgia cause us teachurs is jus gettin’ stupider and stupider. And, consequently, we should be making less money every year. Isn’t that what this administration is trying to say??
I miss SET - Brave New World!
By Tony
January 17, 2008 9:07 PM | Link to this
“Show me the money” is right. Where I come from we say, “Put your money where your mouth is.” This governor implemented temporary austerity cuts in the crisis when he first took office. The “temporary” cuts are still in place. These cuts severely affect school systems statewide in their ability to pay teachers’ salaries and benefits. The cuts also affect materials and supplies for classrooms.
By Georgia Education Advocate
January 23, 2008 10:04 PM | Link to this
It has become common practice for schools to invite attorneys, legal representatives a/k/a educational consultants to school meetings. Parents beware, now you may have to agree or else…
There is no “lack of parental involvement”, unless we are talking about only the type of parental involvement the school is okay with. Stop wasting our tax dollars on programs that “sound” good, only to line the pockets of school attorneys, The “Very Important Parent” program may just be another way of funding and endorsing school systems to “BULLY” parents and their children into compliance or else…
The VIP program is nothing more than a way to BULLY parents into compliance or have a school person that will testify against parents and their children in the truancy hearings at the Dept. of Juvenile Justice. Start treating parents as if they have a real say in their children’s education and you will get parental involvement, stop sending lawyers and legal representatives to meetings and you will get parental involvement. Stop wasting our tax dollars on bullying parents by calling DFCS, arresting them for not sending their medically ill children to school and you will get parental involvement. Stop wasting $14 million and all the other tax dollars on EXCLUDING parents and sanctioning BULLYING of parents in Georgia public schools.
Give parents a REAL say in the educational decisions of their children and you will get parental involvement. Stop the Viciously Intimidating Parents Program. The Government does NOT own OUR children!