public schools
It is unconscionable for Hall to keep money
Regarding “APS: Resign or be fired” (News, Feb. 24), it is encouraging to see Atlanta Public Schools pursue its promise regarding teachers proven to have falsified test results. However, little (if anything) is being done to recoup the unmerited bonuses received by former Superintendent Beverly Hall. It is generally acknowledged that her influence helped foster the environment encouraging teachers to cheat. For Hall to keep these ill-gotten monies is unconscionable.
Michael L. Shaw, Stone Mountain
There’s still time to defend education
Thank you for the article on SB 458 (“Committee passes bill banning illegal immigrants from Ga. public colleges,” ajc.com, Feb. 22). The Senate committee did act like “bullies.” Public outcry kept HB 59 from moving forward, so a vocal few maneuvered around discussion and pushed it via the otherwise-decent SB 458. Luckily, there is still time to defend education. Kudos to those who voted against this measure and to University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby, who spoke with reason and facts-based arguments. According to the data he presented, no qualified students are losing seats to anyone. Out-of-state and foreign students take seats, too. Are we going to ban them? We need to help all Georgians (especially returning veterans) prosper. SB 458 won’t achieve that.
Dana Bultman, Athens
Speculation drives up oil price for consumers
Regarding Glenn Foden’s cartoon (Opinion, Feb. 24), two of the four items on his list — opening public lands to drilling and approving the Keystone Pipeline — will do nothing to bring gas prices down for consumers. Americans are misled by the argument that ravaging public lands and destroying a large swath of the Midwest for a pipeline will bring down oil prices. Wall Street speculation drives up the price of oil. We need to regulate Wall Street speculation if we want more stability in oil prices, and to work toward conservation and high-miles-per-gallon averages for automobiles. These steps would offer a more effective long-term solution and would save our natural resources for future generations.
Lynn Ehrlicher, Decatur
Payroll tax cut likely will be approved
Who said this is a “do-nothing” Congress? It will likely approve a payroll tax cut. Did you notice that no one mentions what this means? Congress is cutting funding for Social Security, already in trouble. Can you say “irresponsible”? If they wanted to solve the Social Security problem, Congress would tax all income for Social Security purposes. It seems the only time Democrats and Republicans agree on legislation is when it benefits both politically — regardless of the long-term impact on the taxpayer or our nation.
Jack Bernard, Monticello
