Response to recent conversation
Commenters to the AJC Get Schooled blog reacted to last week’s APS school board elections, in which at least five of nine board members come fresh to the role after four incumbents didn’t seek re-election and one was defeated. Four contests, including two citywide at-large races, were so close, they will go to a runoff on Dec. 3. Here is a sampling of reader responses:
Chris: I am absolutely thrilled by the election results — so far. The at-large races will be very interesting, and a lot hinges on them.
Drew: Does anyone actually believe changing a few seats on the school board will produce any significant improvement at APS? APS, like all huge bureaucracies, is virtually immune to change. You could vote a whole new board in, and all you'd get is more of the same. Hate to sound cynical, but don't think these huge systems like APS can be "reformed." It would need to be blown up first and then rebuilt, and that simply ain't happening.
Commenter: The district needs to be broken up. The whole central office concept must go. School districts need to be under 5,000 students. School board positions should be elected, but volunteer. One or two meetings a month does not equate to an $18,000-a-year job. Parenthood of school-age children past or present should be required. I don't understand people running for school board who are childless. They have other motives and are not stakeholders.
About the Author
Maureen Downey has written editorials and opinion pieces about local, state and federal education policy since the 1990s.
