EDITOR'S NOTE: Below is a selection of responses shared by readers of MDJOnline.com in reaction to recent MDJ stories ...

Board should hold teachers to account on leave policy ...

Anonymous wrote - During the 30 years that I taught, I saw my doctor four to six times a year for various throat, sinus, or chest infections. In the five years that I've been retired, I've been no more than twice a year and most years not at all. Keep your sick kids home and help the teachers stay in the classroom.

School Advocate wrote -Qualifed and motivated teachers need to be in the classroom everyday of the school year, so Glover Street Gang, do whatever it takes! This record of absence needs to be investigated (substitutes vs. certified teachers) and sub-finder canned should be the starting point.

Sir George wrote - Sounds like several of the teacher bloggers should be working instead of blogging during the day. Also teachers, you need another profession. You have burned out. My employees are allowed 17 days of vacation and sick days for a 12-month job. Having that many days off, when you work nine months is awful, anyway you put it!

Spot on wrote - It is time that the truth about education be brought out. Parent involvement helps, but nothing can overcome the lack of good teaching. It's the teachers that have the most impact. Schools with involved parents demand good teachers and find out what is going on in class. You should see the parents beg and bargain for their child to be assigned to the best teachers in east Cobb schools. The bad teachers get hounded by parents calling the principal.

Reba MC wrote - There are also many times that a parent of a child in the class, who is also registered substitute, is substituting in my son's class. This is wrong and you are right on this one.

Teacher again wrote - How many days is the average student out of class? I bet it's more.

West Cobb Teacher wrote - Here we go again laying the blame for student failure on the teacher. Of course, it must be the teacher. Your child is always in class, always on task, and always spends enough time at home on his/her studies. I am positive that if you measure yourself (parent) to all the other parents at your school you will of course shine with a glowing report with days more time spent studying with your child. Hey, please make sure to have your child do his/her homework with all the nice distracting gadgets in his or her bedroom. Unsupervised, of course. Oh, and make sure that your student spends as much time on the band practice field or soccer field as possible and then write a note asking for more time to complete that two-week take-home assignment. I have found that families that study together will succeed together.

Better management wrote - Low morale equals high absenteeism. They need to create an atmosphere that is more employee-friendly, not less.

Get the facts wrote - It is time the board hold administration accountable for the number of days teachers are pulled from the classroom for collaboration. At my children's school, it is one day per month. That translates into seven days per year. And, yes, there are subs for those days. That is the reason for the extreme deviation from the national average, not mis-use by teachers. And, it is DOE that is demanding that schools find time for collaboration during school hours. Why does everyone blame teachers for everything they see or hear? Get educated, and get your facts.

Atlanta Beat inks deal with Kennesaw State University ...

KSU Watcher wrote - KSU has many, many needs as a university and this ain't one of them? Another bad deal for the students and their fees!

Beautiful Game wrote - As a soccer fan, I'm excited that the Beat will be right here in our backyard, playing at the highest level! Fans will get to watch world-class players like Marta, Lindsay Tarpley, Abby Wambach and Natasha Kai compete without having to drive inside the perimeter (or to Gwinnett).

Two MLS clubs and the WPS club in Los Angeles share the facility on the campus of Cal State, Dominguez Hills. It's not uncommon for these types of partnerships, which benefit the schools and the community.

Rwtrav@bellsouth.net wrote - I live off of Chastain Rd and think that this will not increase our property value. Instead it will reduce it because of increased traffic. I do not think that any university should be in liked up with professional sports teams. This came at me as a total surprise and not happy one.

MK wrote - Be proud, Kennesites! Your house values just went up!