Education letters 11/30

Responses to Metro stories, “Special fee doubled for college students,” Nov. 18, and “Cobb votes to lengthen school year,” Nov. 12.

Students pay for poor decisions by the state

In times of economic crisis, education in this state is always the first to suffer. The Board of Regents has doubled “special fees” for all students in the university system. On top of that, faculty and staff at all Georgia universities have been required to take multiple “furlough” days, further damaging Georgia university education.

At one point in time, this university system could have been looked upon with pride. No more. Nowadays, the students and the teachers are always the ones to bear the burden of poor decisions by our leaders.

I wonder, how many of the folks at the top of the pile were required to take furlough days, or write checks for $200 to cover their budget?

I wonder how the budget would benefit from putting an end to all the waste in seeking the death penalty? Perhaps if this state valued education the way it should there would be no need to kill people on the students’ dime.

Lawrence Korn, Marietta

Fund-raiser ignores dire economic situation

The “Boosterthon” has been used as a fund-raiser at Gwinnett schools for some years now. In the past, the children brought home sign-up sheets, where we promised a certain amount per lap that the child ran. We would typically go to our neighbors, who would contribute $5.

We would then put their name down for a dime a lap. This year the schools chose to do this online, where the minimum donation was set at a dollar. That meant that a parent would typically have to promise $30 or more.

To make matters worse, they were offering the children prizes for every sponsorship. These prizes were handed out in class, and there was a lot of pressure on the children to get sponsors.

I was appalled that the county would use this kind of sales tactic when the economy was doing so badly. This is not about the kids anymore; it’s about how much money they can bring in.

 Akila Nagarajan, Duluth

Student laments new shorter Cobb summer

Summer is already short without taking two weeks out of it. For the new balanced calendar, we start school the first week of August and get a week off in September and another in February.

This is unnecessary because it will only be a month after starting school that we get a break. Also, the break in February is not needed because we have enough time off in the spring semester.

Making this change is just drifting toward year-round school years, which is not for the better need of students in Cobb County.

Kristen Wierzbowski, Harrison High School

Cobb board ignores the opinions of parents

The Cobb County school board vote for a balanced calendar came as no surprise as the board members continue in the rich tradition of ignoring the children and community they were elected to serve. The push for this drastic change without a shred of evidence that it is a good choice for our children and community is outrageous.

Anyone can see the constant starting and stopping of school in the approved calendar will result in a lack of continuity for students and teachers.

Forcing our children onto buses with no air conditioning during the hottest month of the year borders on negligence and cruelty. I guarantee the school board treats their pets better during the month of August.

Lastly, the tactic of approving three years was an obvious attempt to counter any opposition and make the task of change seem daunting. What these officials have conveniently forgotten is that they work for us and they can easily be fired next time they are up for re-election.

I sense an increase in the Cobb County unemployment rate in the near future.

Bonnie Fishman, Marietta