Michelle Mikes, Cobb County School Superintendent Michael Hinojosa’s math supervisor for middle and high school students, sent out an e-mail to several math teachers that encouraged them to speak out at an upcoming board meeting. Here are Mikes' email and Hinojosa's response.
Email sent by Michelle Mikes, the district's supervisor of middle and high school math to several teachers:
Happy no students today!
Teachers did a great job transitioning to the CCGPS! I am sure if feels wonderful to get the first year out of the way — smoother roads ahead.
I am still receiving questions from administrators and teachers regarding when they will be receiving the new textbooks and workbook orders. Please make sure today that all administrators/teachers/parents understand the School Board voted 4-3 against adopting mathematics textbooks K-12 with SPLOST 3 funds. So, there will not be any new resources at all for at least the next 6 years. These funds may not be used for the general budget, so they are still sitting earmarked for resources under SPLOST — they could be reallocated to building a playground or something of that sort. The only way that this may be revisited is if one of the board members chooses to put it on the agenda & one of the four members changes their vote.
I mentioned how about 11 of your colleagues spoke to the board during public comment on May 16 to reconsider their actions regarding math resources. About 30 teachers also showed up to support the speakers. If you are wanting to encourage the board to reconsider their actions, then you have the chance to speak up as well. I have done everything in my power that I am able to, it is now up to you. There will be a board session on June 12 that allows public comment at 8:30 a.m. You have to show up by 8 a.m. to sign up for public comment — you get to speak to the board for 1-2 minutes (they can't ask questions/comment on anything that you say) and that is all it entails. Anyone is welcome to come & support the speakers. Anyone that is attending TLC on the 12th — and is interested, contact me. There is also a board meeting on June 27 at 7 p.m. You must sign up at 6:30 p.m. for public comment. The Board Chair asked for public comment at the April board session. You are welcome to email any of the board members with your concerns. Cobb County citizen's taxes paid for these resources through the SPLOST 3 funds-they voted on this years ago and they may not be used for the general budget.
Attached is suggested textbook alignment to the old adoptions. Also, attached are some technology ideas for your classroom.
2 days to go!
Michelle Mikes
6-12 Mathematics Supervisor
Email sent to staff members by Superintendent Michael Hinojosa:
Dear School District Staff:
On May 28, an email was sent to a group of mathematics supervisors and teachers. The email contained misinformation about a recent vote by the Board of Education to not purchase mathematics textbooks at this time. Because the email was forwarded widely and encouraged staff to contact Board members, I am sending this clarification to all staff to ensure that anyone who received the email will now have the facts on this matter. I regret that misinformation was conveyed, however, it is important that moving forward all employees have accurate information about an issue that has a critical impact on our district curriculum. The attached Frequently Asked Questions address the key points unless the School Board should take further action.
Respectfully,
Michael Hinojosa
Superintendent
