Photo by Daniel Varnado
Click to enlarge photos.By Jon Gillooly
Marietta Daily Journal Staff Writer
Cobb voters approved the $860 million SPLOST III in a special election Tuesday by a vote of 21,859, or 60.8 percent, to 14,130, or 39.3 percent, with 176 of 177 precincts reporting.
"For the 15 and a half years I've been here, this is a crowning moment," said Cobb Board of Education Chairwoman Betty Gray, who watched the returns at the Marietta Conference Center with other board members and SPLOST III supporters.
The five-year tax, which begins Jan. 1, 2009, is expected to collect $797.6 million for the Cobb School District and $59 million for Marietta's. The sales tax in Cobb is 6 percent, with 4 percent collected by the state, 1 percent collected by the county for transportation and public safety, and 1 percent for education, also known as SPLOST II, which ends Dec. 31.
Late Tuesday evening with two thirds of the precincts reporting, attorney Heath Garrett, who spearheaded the SPLOST III citizens committee, gathered together the crowd at the Conference Center to applaud the results. Garrett, who is U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson's former chief of staff, said he has visited all of Georgia's 181 school systems. The reason Cobb is a leader among them is because of supporters like those in attendance, he said.
"We have a lot to be proud of," Garrett said.
Cobb Schools Superintendent Fred Sanderson chatted with such SPLOST supporters as Chamber of Commerce Chairman Sam Kelly and former chamber chairmen Fred Bentley, Jr. and David Connell as he watched the returns at the Conference Center.
"First, I want to congratulate the students of the Cobb County School District because they're the real winners in this. I want to thank the citizens, parents, community, for supporting education like they always have in Cobb. Also, a lot of people were involved in this with the United for Kids citizens committee, I want to thank them for all of it. I'm just excited for the students of Cobb," Sanderson said.
Cobb Board of Commissioners Chairman Sam Olens spent the evening at the Cobb Elections Office to witness the returns come in. Olens said the staff and volunteers there were "very organized and efficient."
As for the outcome, Olens said, "The grassroots campaign was very effective. I am pleased for our two superintendents and our children."
The Marietta Board of Education spent Tuesday evening at one of its regularly scheduled board meetings, but that didn't mean there wasn't excitement among its members, such as board Chairwoman Jill Mutimer.
"I am thrilled that the voters of Marietta City and Cobb County have chosen to support SPLOST III for the benefit of our children. The initiatives outlined in Marietta's SPLOST III will have a direct impact on all students in our city and I can assure the taxpayers that we will act with a high degree of fiduciary responsibility given the confidence they have placed in us. This is a win for both the children and the taxpayers, given a large portion of the burden will be carried by non property owners," Mutimer said.
Meantime at the Conference Center party, United for Kids co-chairs Karen Hallacy and Don Johnson were in high spirits.
"I think the citizens of Cobb County value education and they're putting their heart and soul into education, and you saw it in the vote tonight," Hallacy said.
Kelly was equally enthusiastic.
"I think the percentages have shown that the people in Cobb County know that SPLOST, even though it is a continuation of an existing tax, is something that they want to keep to support our schools, so the strength is there. When we have a good strong school system, businesses want to relocate to Cobb County," Kelly said.
There was no gathering of SPLOST III opponents Tuesday night that the Journal could find.
SPLOST III critic Wanda Becker, a Walton High School mom, explained why.
"There is nothing celebratory about having to vote against a plan that was conceived in deceit and by felons and one that hurts our children and teachers. The fact that there are not any planned festivities by the so called anti-SPLOST people speaks to the fact that there are no conspiracies as we have been accused and that voters who voted no do not find a SPLOST defeat something to celebrate. It is a shame that this SPLOST did not have community buy in on the front end so we could have voted yes," Becker said.
While there was little to no opposition against the Marietta School District's SPLOST proposal, there was no shortage of criticism for the Cobb School District's SPLOST for reasons ranging from the earmarks for Astroturf, to the company that manages the SPLOST program for the district, the Facility Group, whose founder, along with two company executives, pleaded guilty in federal court to giving an illegal campaign contribution to gain the favor of a public official. Sanderson's leadership was also called into question for withholding from the school board the fact that Dr. Lawrence Bynum was under investigation for sexual harassment. Sanderson advised the board to promote Bynum as principal of North Cobb High School without telling the board about the investigation. The fact that the school board chose to hold the estimated $500,000 special election in September as opposed to the presidential election in November was also seen by many as an attempt to manipulate the vote in favor of SPLOST.
East Cobb businessman Pete Borden said he voted against the tax because he believes it to be a flawed plan with many illegal aspects.
"If the school board thinks they can breathe easy now, they are sadly mistaken. They are living in a fishbowl for the next five years. We will monitor their every move, starting with the legal action which will be filed in protest of the illegal items including artificial turf, right through their individual defeats in their next respective elections. Not a one of them will be on the board when this travesty known as SPLOST III expires. As promise after promise is broken, the people will see through them. Too bad it will be too late," Borden said.
Kell High mom Kathleen Angelucci said, "We've learned that by controlling an election, a handful of people can get whatever they want. A half a million dollars for one question that could have waited until November. Voting is the ultimate privilege in a democracy; the difference between democracy and tyranny - tyranny being the arbitrary use of power by a few."
But the SPLOST III proponents carried the day. Also at the Conference Center party was David Connell, regional manager for Georgia Power.
"I think there were a lot of people in this community that were pulling hard for this vote. I think a lot of us felt like this was important to the school system, it was important to our community, and we're just happy that the outcome turned out the way it did," Connell said.
Cobb has divided the $797.6 million it will collect in SPLOST III into $225.7 million for maintenance and renovation, $213.1 million for additions and modifications, $101.6 million on new and replacement facilities, $132.3 million on safety and support, $109.7 million on curriculum, instruction and technology, and $15 million on land. Under SPLOST III, Cobb will build a total of 223 new classrooms with a net increase of 85 at the elementary school level and an increase of 40 classrooms at the high school level, and replace three older elementary schools including Eastside, Mableton and an unnamed school in Smyrna. The proposal also will add a new ninth grade center in West Cobb, as well as ninth grade center additions at North Cobb and South Cobb high schools. The neighboring Marietta system has earmarked more than half of the $59 million it expects from SPLOST III to help retire its $40 million debt. Other revenues would go toward technology, construction and renovations, school security, buses, and driver's education cars, school officials say.
The first education SPLOST, approved in 1998, collected $529.9 million for Cobb and $38.8 million for Marietta. SPLOST II, approved in 2003, is expected to collect $636.5 million for Cobb and $47 million for Marietta.
The SPLOST II election also saw an overwhelming victory, with 36,078 or 77.8 percent vote in favor and 10,262 or 22.1 percent vote against, with turnout of 14.7 percent.
Precinct by precinct data was unavailable Tuesday night, according to the Cobb Board of Elections Office.
Cobb school board vice chairman Rev. Dr. John Crooks was clearly elated by the victory.
"I am a firm believer that this was all about the kids and their education in creating the proper environment and I am so proud of the citizens of Cobb who want the best in the future, and the future is our kids. People had a chance to voice their opinion and what a great country. You get to vote and it's 50 plus one and tonight the majority voted for the kids," Crooks said.
jgillooly@mdjonline.com
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Posted Comments
How absolutely disgusting. This was an inside job from the beginning. This is NOT my school board and NOT my district. I can't wait to see how excessively arrogant they become now. Shame on you Cobb voters. You have been completely hoodwinked again. My departure from Cobb is now confirmed, especially considering the foolish things the voters and the Commission have done in the last year. This is the end of it. Bye-bye. I'm taking my tax money with me.
It's sad that people in the supposedly educated area continue to let this school board wastefully spend money. I guess this means the tax increases proposed by Obama will pass easily too. It's a sad day in Mudville.
Yayyy! I'm glad. I thought it would be closer, but I guess there were lots of people who didn't want to crimp funding as the schools have so much to do. I mailed in my vote for splost, though the opposition had many good points. (unusual for my opposition ;) This said, I think that it will be good to have new board members, and I'm looking forward to seeing 2 more new board members, also. Anyone besides me love the new voting laws, where you can just mail it in?
Ok - now maybe they can fix the unnecessary, non-working (for months) message board in front of Sprayberry High and finally place a turn lane leading into the parking lot which will improve traffic flow and safety "for the children"...Oh, and maybe we can buy those laptop computers the school board once wanted...How soon the public forgets!
Poor, poor Becker, Borden, and Angelucci. I feel sorry for them having to sit by the wayside as real people (students, teachers, and parents) do real work to really improve education in Cobb County and the City of Marietta.
Out of 416,000 registered voters 35,989 decided on SPLOST. They call this a landslide and I call it sad. Why are you registered to vote if you don't show up at the polls? Very sad.
"There is nothing celebratory about having to vote against a plan that was conceived in deceit and by felons and one that hurts our children and teachers." Ridiculous! Just exactly who are the "felons" and how does 800 million hurt our kids and teachers? How angry are you? Were tired of your spoiled banter when things don't suit YOU. Move on or move out.
60 percent of a 10 percent voter turnout isn't something I'd apply the terim 'landslide' to.
was there ever any doubt?
Not "surprising" at all. This county cares for its children more than the whiners care to admit. You can take your slanted articles, you can take your Angeluccis and Bordens, you can take your dreams of turnouts in "biblical" proportions, you can take your informal polls and you can take all of the whiners and CCSD flagellants and crawl back into the hole you came from. See you in five years losers!!
I had to go to the "Atlanta Journal-Constitution" to find out that the turnout yesterday was only 9.5 pct. Why wasn't that worth noting by the "MDJ"? It looks to me like confirmation that the Cobb school board and bureaucracy succesfully gamed the election.
Ha! I'm enjoying the bitterness of the anti-SPLOST folks. No one probably agrees with every part of the SPLOST, but the truth is that the school district needs additional funds, and this is easily the best way to finance it. Read some their comments above - you'd think we were living in Paris before the French Revolution.
The only reason this tax passed--the people who gave birth to it arranged for election day in the middle of no-man's land. If this had been on the ballot in November, it would have been soundly defeated and its supporters know that. So now the people of Cobb County are burdened with yet another tax, one that's going to be used to astro turf the football fields and buy playground while the kids still have classes in the numerous trailers that litter every single school campus in the county. It's time to hold the school board accountable for their ridiculous spending habits--and run them out of office.
The only reason this tax passed--the people who gave birth to it arranged for election day in the middle of no-man's land. If this had been on the ballot in November, it would have been soundly defeated and its supporters know that. So now the people of Cobb County are burdened with yet another tax, one that's going to be used to astro turf the football fields and buy playgrounds while the kids still have classes in the numerous trailers that litter every single school campus in the county. It's time to hold the school board accountable for their ridiculous spending habits--and run them out of office.
The way this was implemented is a travesty. $500k for this and look at how few voters in Cobb County participated. What a joke? I cannot wait to get the heck out of Cobb County.
Now let's vote to shut down the MDJ and get a legitimate newspaper for Marietta!
On this SPLOST thing the people of Cobb County spoke on this matter and that is that. So let’s get on with the task of getting the children of Cobb County some help in trying to obtaining an education. I know for some out there this is some strange new idea but believe me this education thing can and does work.
I find it interesting that they pat themselves on the back for passing the SPLOST. The tax payers of Cobb County were robbed of $500k in tax money to pay for a special election because they knew this would not pass in the general election in November. Why else would you waste $500k on a special election 2 months before there is already going to be an election? Now they pat themselves on the back as though its a real comment on how much the people of Cobb wanted this? Please. They knew they couldn't pass this when there would be full voter turn out so they held a "special" election in hopes they could squeeze it in when almost no one would turn out to vote. Great job!
Congratulations on the win......Now don't disappointment me....Use the money correctly.
When John Crooks talks about "creating a proper environment", is he talking about all of the trailers that remain, and the poor environment these trailers creat for our kids? Oh but that is right, they are talking about getting "double wide's" to take care of this. Welcome to the Red Neck Riviera! He should be ashamed especially since many of these trailers are right in his backyard in Post 6! This wasn't for the kids, this was for big business and an arrogant board that would stop at nothing to win regardless of being wrong. Just because you got the vote, doesn't mean you are right or righteous!
Yippee! It is proven that SPLOST works. How exciting for Cobb County schools, students, teachers, parents, leaders. Bring on the fish bowl view, we might not all agree, but I would rather be here than there.
So why wasn't the entire community invited to the election result party at the conference center?? Who paid for that? SPLOST or other district money? I want astro turf for my yard and I guess I am paying for it and I have students at home, so does that qualify under the laws? I am now waiting for the 21st century bathroom for all schools. Self cleaning, self sanitizing, self deodorizing. Motion detecting lights, faucets and soap like the airport. Since it is the 21st century bathroom, we will need technology to help wipe the users as well and maybe have flat screen tv's in all the stalls and above the urinals and sinks so we can have educational shows on so the students can learn continuosly. We can also add smoke detectors so when a kid lights up, the room is sealed and alarms sound and they are hauled to the principals office. So many ways to add education and technology to the mix!
Thanks to the true supporters of our youth. WE will all benefit from the passing of SPLOST III. If you think EDUCATION is expensive, try igornance.
John Crooks says" ...all about kids and their education in creating the PROPER ENVIRONMENT." It is his Post that has the oldest schools, that is over capacity and has the largest number of trailers. And yet it is also his Post that got the fewest dollars allocated in this SPLOST to create a learning environment. What PROPER ENVIRONMENT is he talking about - if the back of a semi is proper for teaching then Dr. Crooks you need to go back to school - maybe in a 15 year old stinky semi trailer with a few windows.
Too bad safety wasn't a big concern. Why were schools open while voters (strangers) were free to roam the building and in some places the voting took place where the children were in the same room.
Maybe this shows that more people trust the BOE and CCSD than trust the MDJ and the ANTISPLOSTERS? Maybe it shows that no one reads the MDJ? Maybe it portends David Morgan to one term for opposing the SPLOST with no viable infrastructure alternatives? Regardless, all of us should be vigilant with the new School Board to insure that they give proper stewardship to these funds to the best advantage of our students and taxpayers. Still, it burns that the MDJ was willing to sacrifice needed funding for the CCSD and its beloved MCSD in its attempts to take down Mr. Sanderson and generally cast the CCSD in a bad light. Please return to journalism with a conscience.
Looks like the turf issue was not the downfall of SPLOST as some thought. In fact, when all the football, soccer, band, former players, booster clubs, etc voted, it may have contributed to the landslide. It looks like everyone in the metro Atlanta will play on Turf but the ole Mayretta boys. We all know where athletics rank in that system.
Yes, West Cobb Dad, the school board forcibly restrained all anti-Splostites at a central location. But so as not to be too harsh on them, they were tied in front of their Xboxes and video games, something they are used to at home. Those that could not be located, were sent a notice that the actual election is today. With the intelligence level of most of you people, they probably fell for it. Now, West Cobb Dad, the black helicopter is waiting to take you away. It is ably piloted by your friends Sheep and Patty. Put down your kleenex, put on the tin foil hat and fly away!
"'You get to vote and it's 50 plus one and tonight the majority voted for the kids,' Crooks said." Or 5.7 percent plus one. Whatever.
Did anyone ask the "WHY" question to the school board the reason for spending $1/2M to vote in Sep verses Nov? Only 10% of the the county's registered voters voted. Someone in a leadership position who watches over things is asleep at the switch or there is no Checks and Balances in Cobb County watching over our School Board.
It doesn't matter what the percentage was. Every voter in Cobb had the opportunity to vote and it seems that more care about the children than about their own selfishness. Kathleenn needs to get over her vendetta over the Kell personnel matter. Its also so refreshing to see that the perpetual whiners in the MDJ letters to the editor have so little influence on the Cobb population. You pretend to support democracy, but when you lose its because voters are "stupid". You can't have it both ways.
What a celebration you all had over there, at who's expense was that? I can not believe you all bought into the fact that our school district is broke. One Billion dollars of our property tax goes to the schools and then out of the pockets of the parents we are asked to pay for things such as books to pass the CRCT tests, supplies for the school and having various parent groups maintain the grounds because this district has no money and now you have given them additional money to waste away on astro turf, ABS clocks, furniture etc... sounds like this will improve a child's education. I beg this board and this school district to put as much time and effort and money behind improving our schools ACADEMIC achievement as you did with campaigning for SPLOST. Oh that's right , the campaigning part was illegal, the turf and sound and lighting was illegal - see you in court!! and we will be paying for that as well. This board is needs your money it is known as SPLOST crack and they will do anything to make sure they feed their addiction. Shame on you Crooks for not standing up for your Post and demanding better. I guess you are just way too busy trying to work deals to ensure that you will be the next Chair of this board. Good luck with that. I can not wait to have the next election when your seat is open.
Perhaps Cobb County Schools can better explain why artificial turf is preferred. Have you forgotten that there is a water shortage and the grass for sport fields cannot be maintained without water?
To all the "nay sayers".... Your school district keeps your home value up. If you don't believe that, look at those areas whose schools do not meet standards and watch as their home values and sales of those homes decrease rapidly. Although we may not always agree with the way our school districts spend money, I am thankful that the citizens of Cobb County realize there is a direct correlation between the investment in their home and their school district! Thank you for supporting our most valued possessions.
Why is it that CCSD can get 800m for "the children" and Osborne High School has to use ptsa funds to pay for a marquee outside the school to let people know it is there???? What a shame!
To all of you nimrods that seem to think that there is some grand conspiracy going on, maybe YOU need to go back to school and get a civics lesson. The decision for voters to go to the polls or not was made by each individual voter. The School district did not make that decision for them. If they did not choose to exercise that right, one way or the other, don't blame anyone but your neighbor for not getting out. No excuses. And hey - Checks and Balances - the check and balance watching over the board is YOU. Do something about it instead of complaining. Is this obivous to anyone but me?
As the saying goes, the voters got [more of] what they deserved.
This SPLOST is a farce as in, "History repeats itself, the first time as tragedy [illegal laptops for all], the second as farce [such as possibly illegal and/or unsafe unnecessary Astro-turf for all]." The first event was SPLOST I when when they misled the voters and said they'd get rid of virtually all trailors.
This is a great day for the kids of Cobb County. The MDJ, Angelucci, Borden, Becker, Chastain, et. al., also known as the Confederacy of Miserable, need to take their show somewhere else. This community is tired of their divisiveness, and this election is just the first sign of a backlash that has been building as a result of their incessant negativity. I'm proud that our community wasn't distracted by the nonsense, and I'm happy that our schools will get the funding they need and it will be paid for with a consumption tax and not property tax. The school board and administration will need to continue showing us that SPLOST is a good thing by managing our tax dollars the right way, but they have in the past and I believe they will continue to do so as long as the oversight is there (and I don't mean the MDJ). In the meantime, maybe the Confederacy of the Miserable will pack up and head for Clayton County. I think they could do some good down there.
Note to all schools that install astroturf with Splost funds: When my son and I are on that turf on Sunday afternoon playing and you try to run us off, be prepared to fight or call the police.
Less than 5% of registered voters in Cobb passed SPLOST III - not what I call a landslide on a non-partisan issue. While I feel it is the best way to provide funding to schools (much like I think the FairTax is the best answer), I voted against it because I think the school board looks at it like an open check book. Total up SPLOST I and II - over $1 billion dollars - and we are still talking about the same problems as 10 years ago - overcrowding, old technology, and now several Cobb schools on the needs improvement list.
I find it absolutely hilarious that the whiners and naysayers complain about kids in trailers and then want to vote against money for classrooms. How stupid is that? The first two SPLOST's built nearly 2000 additional classrooms, but the student population continues to grow. The class-size reduction mandated by the legislature required 400 additional teachers and 400 additional classrooms, right in the middle of these two construction programs. If they want to leave the county, I say "Go for it!", and take the Marietta Daily Journal staff with you. We can do a fundraiser to buy bus tickets for all of you.
Where will the details of actual fund receipts, cost analysis, vendor performance/political contribution funding history and relations with board members, selection, budget and actual expenditures be published? School board website; MDJ; other sources? Will the public be repsonsible for watching how the school board applies these funds or will they blindly delegate this responsibility to their school board rep and fade to black and go back to sleep?
Re CJ says: Exactly - very well stated. For the "why hold it now" crowd, because it allows uninterrupted tax base receipts instead of a gap if held in November. For the "10 percent isn't a landslide" whiners, it was 100 percent turnout for those that voted - nobody else matters. For the "gonna leave Cobb County" folks, today would be just fine.
Hey CJ, Did you actually look at any of the inforamtion? The numbers this year are down! Yes they did build extra classrooms with SPLOST II but they were built at schools that are/were UNDER CAPACITY leaving those OVER with trailers still. Do you realize that the problem with trailers is kids are exposed (and young ones)and some of them in the front of the schools on busy streets. I wonder if that was one of your kids that you would be this happy about it! Also before people call us Whiners remember that we support the CONCEPT OF SPLOST just not how the money was allocated. We can't change it once it is voted in. The board could have waited and corrected this but chose to push it through rather than creat a SPLOST that most people could get behind. That is where we are coming from. We are for the children - all of them!
M.A.Lynn What percentage of regisgtered voters in Cobb County voted in this election? The election was not very well publicized,which appears to have been planned to lessen the number of votes by the opposition. I would like to see some improvement in the education level of the graduates. With all this money to throw at the educational environment,why are so many of our graduates unable to spell,follow instructions,express their thoughts in written form, and do simple math? With no "extras" in the classroom or on the sports fields, I managed to learn these basics.Please point out to me the proven benefits of this spending.
I wonder if it would have passed if they waited and put it on the ballot in November.
I have read the SPLOST I and II budgeting reports and spending reports. Cobb comes in under budget and ahead of schedule. This is all in the best interest of the kids. Isn't that the most important thing?
To Enter Your Name, who wrote "Now let's vote to shut down the MDJ and get a legitimate newspaper for Marietta!" Go ahead. Big Mouth. This is a free country. Anybody can open a newspaper, and even print the words of fools like you.
To the supporters, and paticularly to those who are jubulantly throwing snide remarls and personal insults at those of us who opposed the SLOST (whatever happened to the idea that everyone was entitled to his opinion.)I have this to say. Don't celebrate too long and too loudly, or you might look around and find out that Sanderson's Scalawags have hoodwinked you again. Better keep and eye on them. The little people took down Redden and his boot licking accomplices on the board. We can do it again with Sanderson and this bucnh of the same, if we have to. There are still laws in this county and courts to see that they are upheld.
This is an undeniable legacy to Betty Gray. She should be given the keys to the county for her undying dedication to our students. She loves Cobb's children more than some of their parents. Thank God for people like her.
Ok fellow commenter’s let’s give all of this a break. After reading all of the comments on this page I will say that some are not too thrilled about the SPLOST vote passing, Well there are two things I will say One if you wanted it to pass and you when out and voted good for you and if you did not want it to pass and you stayed at home please stop whining you should have got up and voted as the rest of us did. I am not happy with this matter but I do know that this is the tax payers money and all the citizens of Cobb County has to do is look at how it is used at the board and make sure it is not being misused at any leavel.We know that the current board has a lot of problems in the way it handle the funds in the pass i. e. the Facilities Group and the Laptop problem but all one has to do is look and make sure that the elected officials, on the board, are using the taxpayers money in the correct manner. So to all of you if you wanted this not to pass and you did not vote you got what you paid for and if you did vote and now with the passage of the SPLOST you and the rest of Cobb County must make sure that the monies are used correctly.
Whether you voted for or against SPLOST anyone can see by reading these blogs how controversial this is. I agree with Pete Bordon to anyone throwing personal insults either way is wrong, we are all entitled to our opinion and mine is that if we all do not work together and our school board does not become more vigilant with our hard earned tax dollars this ship is going to sink. The children that everyone keeps talking about are the ones that are going to pay the huge price. Are they just the pawns in this vicious game?
Thank you to the voters of Cobb for restoring my faith in their intelligence and vision. Our family no longer has students in the school system, but we voted in favor and held our breath, fearful that the rest of the metro area would be laughing at us today! Many years ago, before our children were born, we moved here because of the schools and began our very successful business. We were considering moving with our business to a more progressive part of the Atlanta area if the voters had sent a negative message. Finally, in the next few days, check with the election office and we will find out that the $500,000 price tag made up by the MDJ will shrink to a small fraction of that number. Doc Holliday and Senator Obama will both find out that the truth is colorblind and the voters are smarter than they think!
Both sides of the SPLOST III were presented by a very reputable newspaper. The MDJ did a very fair job. The folks against "this" SPOLST III were smart and conscientious of how the money fiscally should be going for the children and education. And ONLY for the children and education. How can you people criticize that? They did an enormous favor to the citizens of Cobb by passing on how the budget had a lot of “room for improvement” for mandatory educational needs and not so much for the “comfort” of the administrators. Every step of the way, they firmly believed that SPLOST III was an appropriate way to support the students of Cobb. It was the wasteful line items in the SPLOST III budget that needed to be adjusted to give the students of Cobb what they truly deserve. Thank you for all their efforts in making us aware of how to best serve our children with SPLOST III money and how to hold the CCSB’s feet to the fire and police the wasteful spending. The students will never realize the luxury and comfort of the new Glover Street furnishings while they wait for the third week of school to get their books or while running in the rain to get to their next trailer class and staying wet ALL day. NOW it is up to the citizens of Cobb to hold the CCSD accountable to their favorite saying “for the children”. Personally I can’t wait to sit on the new furniture at Glover Street when I have to meet with CCSB, once again, for not meeting the needs of the children of Cobb.
Reputable newspaper? Ha, ha, ha! That's a good one!
I know there are many improvements needed County-wide and I am not opposed to funding these improvements through an additional sales tax. But working within the Cobb County School District I do see what I would term a misuse of funds when the needs of individual schools do not fit the model of particular projects. Employees at the local school level should have additional input since it is very difficult to know what is actually needed when there is so little or perhaps such poor communication between County and local schools. In addition, those spending the money are not taking the care that hopefully one would take if the money were coming directly out of their own pocket. I understand it is a huge undertaking to monitor individual expenditures but that is part of the job description. There will be benefits within the SPLOST spending but there will also be a tremendous amount of waste. There should be greater amenability within this wonderful endeavor.
For all of you folks talking about "a one penny tax", here is a clue: SPLOST III is a 1% sales tax. This means you will pay "one penny" for every dollar you spend...not just a mere penny, dear folks. Suggestion: wise up and stop talking stupid about how much we are being taxed. For educators...make sure your students know the difference between a "one penny sales tax" and a "1% sales tax" (because there is a big difference).
GET READY FOLKS! All you that think that there will not be SPLOST 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 etc. are just fooling yourselves. And to think that the portion of my $3,200 property tax bill I just sent in is not enough to fund education in this county. What a rip off... I don't even have children!!! I have an idea for SPLOST 3... USE IT TO LOWER MY PROPERTY TAXES!! As was said on the webcasts of the MDJ site (which by the way I watched every segment of) all Cobb County did on Tuesday was give government officials an 800 Million Dollar GIFT CARD to spend anyway they want to. Astro-turf for schools... give me a break! Congratulations to all those that voted for it. You'll be reminded of it EVERY SINGLE TIME you purchase goods and services in our county. HOW SAD!
Hey, Sheep, we will all chip in and buy you a moving van. To all debating landslide...take a math class. We almost made it though a blog without Pete Borden. Darn.
Wow, I just realized, I'm 2-0. I wrote four articles against the laptop program - it didn't fly plus Redden and, I think, all or most of the school board members supporting it are gone. Then, I wrote one article supporting SPLOST III and it passed and 12 out of 13 people thought my analogy made perfect sense. Woo-hoo! It's been a good week. Of course, I'm not really taking credit for the results, it's just fun to say "2-0". Hey, you think replacing $860M of our property taxes with a second penny sales tax the next go-around might be pushing my luck? (By the way, I'm for the Fair Tax and against TADs - they scare me.)
My comment is for "Marjorie", in your insane comment you referred to Ms Gray as, caring for Cobb's children more than their parents. Have you EVER been a child in one of Ms. Grays classroom? Well, I have had the displeasure! Believe me IF she loved we students more than our parents, we kids never saw any sign of it! She was a "sub" teacher for my years from 5th grade through about the 10th grade. I do not recall even one student who liked her! She was what we would call "mean". She had/has an arrogant attitude, this made a student/child feel inferior!And you would call that a great teacher? I think NOT. She last taught me over 35 years ago, and yet I still remember how badly she made all we students feel- GOOD RIDDANCE!
Although I understand the distaste to this being voted in a special election--which seems both cost-foolish and manipulative, I am still glad that SPLOST has passed. Regardless of whether every spending decision is a good one, all of the money is used specifically for the improvement of our schools and education for our children in some form or another. Unfortuneately, I think it is very easy to pass judgement when you don't have all of the facts. Has anyone ever considered that perhaps some of the "frivilous" spending might have been allocated based on maintenance costs savings, safety, spreading the money to benefit the most, etc.? People love to run their mouths based on speculation, without any substantial understanding of what's involved behind the scenes. If you don't like the decisions, get involved and try to make a change. I'm tired of complainers with no action for improvement.
When the deck is stacked, a winning hand comes as little suprise. I think the deck was stacked well in SPLOST's case.
At long last, the schools in the southern part of the county will finally get the much-needed improvements and additions that they deserve. All the money seems to go to the northern schools...