Developer deals leave schools short
Referring to a key policy dispute over millions owed Atlanta’s public schools by the Atlanta Beltline as “bickering” trivializes a key policy dispute that has long-term implications for how governments use a key economic development tool (“Dispute with APS threatens Beltline,” News, July 6). While I do not aim to argue the substantive merits here, Errol Davis should be commended for bringing this issue to light and defending APS’ claim to agreed-upon funds. It has been a refreshing change to the “go-along-to-get-along” approach that is all too common in development circles in Atlanta.
Lack of fairness to school systems and existing city residents has long been a critical, overlooked issue in the design of tax-increment financing deals in Atlanta and elsewhere. There has been too little scrutiny of such subsidy packages. In fact, if the Great Recession had not occurred, and property values in the city had continued to rise through the late 2000s, the Beltline would likely have been sitting (way too) pretty, and APS would have seen very little of the resulting gains. To create a supposedly “successful” Beltline while leaving behind the most critical engine of economic health of the entire city — the public schools — would be extremely shortsighted.
DAN IMMERGLUCK, ATLANTA
Math concepts lack practical application
The high percentage of failures on math scores is not limited to ninth graders (“Math still a problem for Georgia students,” News, July 3). For students whose lot has fallen to trying to get a GED or pass entrance exams for a community college, the need for a tutor to reach that goal is unavoidable. That may well put college entrance out of reach for many. The question for me is, who devised these exams based on material that was not presented in a comprehensible way to students at any level? Further, of what value are math concepts that are so esoteric as to have no practical application? High-level educators need to re-examine the development of this concept of education and testing that is not in close touch with reality.
MARY ELIZABETH ETHERIDGE, ATLANTA
Action needed on farm immigrant bill
For a number of years, we’ve had a farm operation, Lewis Taylor Farms Inc. in Tifton. The letter writer of “Farm column skirts immigration reality” (Readers write, June 20) has no clue what it’s like to run an American farm or attract workers to work on a farm. The need for an adequate workforce is critical to Georgia farmers and fruit and vegetable growers. The U.S. Senate bill provides non-amnesty solutions that are sorely needed on my farm and thousands across our country. I hire hundreds of American workers every year at wages that are higher than many non-farm jobs, only to watch them walk off a few hours later. The reality is American farmers are, in many cases, desperate for workers. We need a viable labor solution, and we need it now.
WILLIAM L. BRIM, TIFTON
