EDUCATION
APS interim leader impressive at forum
I recently attended a community meeting at an elementary school at which Erroll Davis, the interim superintendent of Atlanta Public Schools, addressed questions from about 200 attendees.
He was extremely impressive. He was direct, sincere, candid and respectful of everyone’s questions and concerns. He did not shy away from any issue. In a measured tone, he spoke of his and the system’s obligation to the children. Though it occurred only a few times, he knows well how to inject humor and irony with a light touch.
APS and the city of Atlanta are fortunate to have the services of Davis.
Judy Bozarth, Atlanta
News stories don’t reflect all the assets in education
Public higher education is Georgia’s smartest investment in its future. The success of our state and residents is linked to the success of its 35 public colleges and universities.
As members of the University System of Georgia’s governing Board of Regents, we do have a stewardship responsibility for this tremendous asset that has such a positive influence on this state, and we take it very seriously. We welcome and encourage public scrutiny. We are committed to efforts that help us fulfill our mission more effectively.
We are not going to measure success — or failure — by the number of new buildings or by how many more students we enroll. We must measure success through our efforts to ensure the educational success of more and more Georgians as we prepare our future workforce for a world that demands more graduates from post-secondary education.
Thus, it is disappointing to read news articles that don’t acknowledge the hard work and dedication of our faculty and staff, the outstanding examples of student achievement, the efforts under way to help students succeed, or the value of the significant research and public service we create for Georgia’s benefit.
We have worked hard to earn the confidence and respect of the governor and General Assembly and the public. We will continue to act as good stewards. We will continue to provide Georgians the educational lifeline that leads to economic opportunity. BENJAMIN TARBUTTON III, CHAIRMAN, BOARD OF REGENTS
GOVERNMENT
Jobs for congressional staffs are far from safe
Bill Murphy wrote that “The salaries of the [congressional] staffs should be reduced by 25 percent until a law is passed. They are playing chicken with our futures, while their futures are safe” (Readers write, Opinion, July 22).
The reality is that the jobs of staffers for members of the House of Representatives are far from safe. They are subject to the whims and decisions of their members on deciding whether to run for re-election or to back an unpopular bill that will lead to defeat; the electorate who may choose to punish a member for the sins of his party, and the state legislatures. So the staffers’ employment is at risk every two years.
This attitude toward government workers exists in each of us until the day we need assistance that the private sector won’t address.
Jeff Fishman, Duluth
