Get Schooled

By jim d

May 29, 2008 9:01 AM | Link to this

Yeah right Laura,

I live in Gwinnett and have addressed the BOE on more than a few occassions. To what avail? They don’t really listen anyway. We have one member that looks over his classes at an imaginary paper in front of him, one that doodles, one that sets and says—how nice, and another that hasn’t a clue.

BOE meetings in Gwinnett are public only because they are required to be by law, which I find surprising since the Board has historically defied Ga. sunshine laws by voting to spend tax dollars in executive session.

Voters in Gwinnett are so apathetic it is sickening. They have an opportunity again this year to replace 3 board members and I’m giving 3:1 they don’t replace any.

By Gwinnett Educator

May 29, 2008 9:49 AM | Link to this

jim d…I love reading your responses concerning Gwinnett. You are truly helping me to learn more about the county for which I work. After working 10 yrs in Dekalb, I KNEW that I didnt want my daughter to ever attend school in the county. I still live in Dekalb and have been setting sights on where I want to move so that when my daughter reaches school age, she will be in an area that I would be completely satisfied with.

I want to ask you for your very HONEST opinion. Would you recommend making Gwinnett my home for my daughter’s education or suggest that I look elsewhere. I am a single mom (not by choice) and I want the absolute BEST for her.

Disclaimer- I know that there arent any perfect school systems, etc. I am open to everything INCLUDING private schools.

By Ernest

May 29, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this

My perspective is based on how DeKalb handles meetings. How it compares to others, I’m not sure however I was surprised when I read how Clayton will handle it.

In DeKalb, one can make a request to speak during the ‘Citizens Comments’ section during the BoE Work session (typically the first Monday evening of the month) via email. I’ve heard that some may request immediately after the previous meeting to ensure they have one of the coveted 20 speaking slots.

The agenda for the meeting is posted online the Friday before the meeting and includes those signed up for citizens comment. The agenda is refreshed mid day Monday, the day of the meeting. There is also a sign up list available around 1 1/2 hours prior to the meeting at the meeting site (it rotates between schools in the county). If there are not 20 speakers, the opportunities are available on a ‘first come, first served basis’. The same applies if some of those that signed up are not there.

The BoE chair reads a prepared statement acknowledging Citizens Comments per Open Meetings, mentions it is not the opportunity for immediate responses, and requests not to verbally attack any school employee. Each speaker has 3 minutes. Time alloted is for up to 20 speakers or 60 minutes, whichever comes first. Citizens Comments is done at the beginning of the business meeting. A 15 minute break normally follows which enables speakers to sometimes have one on one conversations with BoE members and school officials. The meeting is broadcast live on a Comcast local channel and via webcast. It is repeated several times over the next week.

I believe there are also opportunities for citizens to comment at called meetings. Above is the result of changes over the past few years. Many citizens requested greater transparency and access with the process. Our BoE members responded thus I compliment them for that.

By jim d

May 29, 2008 11:06 AM | Link to this

Gwinnett Ed.

Sweetie, you are really putting me on the spot with that one.

I honestly believe my child got a good education DESPITE the system. Now we did put him in private school during the MS years, which turned out to be one of the wisest choices I’ve ever made. Note too that he has a relatively high IQ and has always been considered gifted, which I susepct worked against the system to his advantage as well.

To be quite frank dear, If you want the “ABSOLUTE BEST” do it yourself, if that isn’t an option for you, do as many other teachers (and our BOE memebrs) do and enroll your child in a private school. You may be surprised to discover there are actually many out there that are quite affordable. Since you apparently are a teacher, you may wish to consider the cost effectiveness of teaching at a private school that might offer some tuition incentives along with your salary.

BEST OF LUCK

By Gwinnett Educator

May 29, 2008 11:32 AM | Link to this

I appreciate the words jim d. I also apologize for putting you on the spot.

**Im already in the process of “putting money away” for her. I know that there is an answer out there for us.

By jim d

May 29, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this

Gwinnett Ed.

You’re quite welcome.

Gwinnett is a gresat place to live though.

So you may wish to start by looking here just click on a link to the schools websites and check out the employment opportunities available, most are currently accepting applications for teaching positions and you won’t want to wait too long before your child is to start before making aapplication for addmittance since some of these schools fill up and some even have waiting lists.

By Larry

May 29, 2008 12:07 PM | Link to this

Jim d – just make up some fantastic story about what happens at GCPS annual budget meetings. I won’t dispute anything you say and it’s not like any of the other half million citizens would know what happens.

I think you’re wrong about the BOE not listening to us. The official reasons for dumping the first half of the Gateway were exactly the reasons you gave for un-funding it at our annual Budget Bash a couple months before the announcement.

It’s difficult to tell if they listened to me, but they obviously heard what you said. That’s because Alvin always liked you best.

By jim d

May 29, 2008 12:23 PM | Link to this

Larry,

LOL, Yeah my friend we do go back aways. You gotta admit though that it is difficult not to at least recognize the truth when it is being presented. Acting on it by our little group in Gwinnett though is rare. Indeed they heard that speech and fortunately for taxpayers, they did take action, saving us millions of dollars over the years.

As for Napoalvin liking me best?? Yeah right! he still speaks to you. I think the last time he spoke to me was when I told him “WRONG ANSWER” at a public meeting and then proceeded to over-shadow other speakers with my squeaky magic marker. :-)

By catlady

May 29, 2008 5:07 PM | Link to this

I’ve spoken at two different counties’ boe meetings. Both required you to sign up in advance, and both limited the time you had to speak.

I think CCS must be rolling in money. They propose to spend a mint to put the board on the ground level. (Just put a table down on the floor and move the audience back a bit. Free.) They spend a mint to put a new attorney and new asst supt in place, and their new supt wants to hire three more additional executive level folks. Just what the place needs is MORE chiefs! Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and the parents and taxpayers are not seeming to DO anything while the board fiddles and Rome burns. You have about 90 more days! (And I note the new supt has revised his vision of the system being able to stay accredited. Note he now hopes not to be unaccredited for too long—quite a different tune from the promises before he was hired). The folks down in CC must be very wealthy to afford this savior and his posse.

By Lee

May 29, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this

Most school boards try to put impediments in place to limit the number of people who address them. Clayton’s requirement to submit your issue IN WRITING is just one example.

In my county, you have to sign up to speak before the board at least seven days prior to the meeting. You have to sign up IN PERSON. No phone calls. No emails.

For me, that would entail getting off work early and making a thirty mile round trip - just to put my name on the list.

On the evening of the meeting, I think my county will allow you ten minutes. All the while, most Board members twiddle their thumbs, roll their eyes, and make it evident they would rather be doing anything than to hear public comments.

You say your piece. The Board doesn’t comment. The chairman says “thank you Mr. Lee. Next speaker please.”

If the school boards valued public comment, they would have a time allotted to an open mike and there would be an actual DIALOGUE between the public and the board.

The ONLY time I have seen anyone get a response from our board is when the president of the high school athletic association showed up with about 50 angry parents in tow. When he finished his speech and returned to his seat, all 50 people stood up and clapped in a show of solidarity.

Yep, they got what they wanted.

By HS Teacher

May 29, 2008 10:14 PM | Link to this

Be realistic everyone. If any Board allowed for complete open meetings for all to attend and for all to comment with no restrictions, nothing would ever get done and the meetings would never end. Can’t we at least agree on that much?

I can see to a reasonable amount that the Clayton BOE needs some private time to get business done. Those records should be made public and without editing. But, there just has to be some time where business can be conducted.