Opposing sides argue Cherokee school budget

Disagreements over school funding in Cherokee County were aired on Monday night between two leaders who have opposed each other's policies, but not often spoken to each other.

The personal contact between Dr. Frank Petruzielo, the superintendent of schools, and Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) came as they took questions in front of about 200 teachers and parents and did not smooth out their differences.

They talked a lot, agreed on little.

Those attending heard a lot of facts, but few solutions.

Rogers thinks property taxes as a main source of school funding are antiquated and don't work well.

Petruzielo said talking about taking away property tax income without knowing what will replace it gets the cart before the horse.

"I am waiting with bated breath to find out what the [alternate funding] plan is," he said.

Petruzielo complained about the shrinking amount of money from the state over the years.

Rogers pointed out that Cherokee is spending more per student now than it did in 2004 and that the state cut education spending less than nearly all other departments.

"You are entitled to your own opinion, but not to your own facts," Rogers shot at Petruzielo.

Rogers thinks school vouchers are a great idea for giving parents choice about where to send their children to school and said the limited vouchers he helped champion have been successful for the families who used them.

It is about supporting children, not about supporting systems, he said.

Petruzielo replied that voters in 35 states have turned down vouchers in statewide votes.

Legislators in Georgia should have enough courage to put the question on a referendum in Georgia, he challenged. Then legislators would know if they were enforcing the will of the people "or playing to a small special interest group of ideologues and folks who have their own opinion about what ought to happen in public education," Petruzielo said.

The crowd was quiet and polite as questions were submitted to and read by moderator Gerry Yandel, a local journalist.

Those listening stayed for two hours while Rogers and Petruzielo marshaled their facts and opinions.

The people came hoping to hear some answers, and gained some insight from the two mens' comments and facts, such as Petruzielo's comment that 191 staff members were paid for with federal recovery money, but the system would lose that money next year.

If people think things are difficult now, wait until the 2011-12 school year, he said.

Parents hoped for some answers but many left with frustrations.

Art Vaulk of Canton, a teacher and father of two boys, said, "What is going on in Cherokee County today is going to affect our kids for 10 years. And our kids are going to be the ones taking over when we stop doing it."

Dave Henson of Woodstock agreed.

"Education is the most important asset we have," he said.