Thanks to state Rep. Matt Dollar (R-east Cobb) for paying attention to the community he represents. His bill that would prevent early school start dates shows he sees that locally, some things are out of control. While education dollars are the tightest they have been in history, counties like Cobb, are approving early school start dates that waste precious tax dollars on higher cooling costs.
While research shows us the school calendar configuration does not impact academic performance, it does show a poorly configured school calendar can and does increase cooling costs and operational costs for school districts. Knowing school districts have a finite amount of taxpayer dollars to spend educating our children, deductive reasoning tells us when cooling costs and operational costs are decreased, more money will be available for teacher salaries and academic programming such as small group tutoring.
Most schools keep air conditioners or heating units on year round. It is unwise in most parts of the country to turn off such systems due to moisture and mold concerns. But as anyone who has hosted a party in their home knows, it takes much more energy to keep a room with 30 people cool than it does an empty or nearly empty room.
According to a Nov. 17, 2002, Tulsa World article, "Tulsa (Okla.) Public Schools saved nearly $500,000 by delaying the start of school until after Labor Day, the districts latest utility bills show." (The district previously had a school start date of Aug. 19.) Subsequent newspaper reports showed the later school start date had no impact on test scores. A district spokesperson said "state test scores stayed the same." He added that the school calendar didn't seem to make a difference academically.
The Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts estimated in her September 2004 special report "Saving Summer: Lessons Learned" that August school days were costing the state's schools a cumulative $2.9 million a day in increased school utilities. She also estimated each extra vacation day a school district added to the calendar cost $15.5 million statewide.
Knowing the calendar configuration does not impact academic success, but does take valuable financial resources away from our students academic needs and our teachers, eliminating August school days just makes sense. Imagine the money Cobb and other Georgia counties would have to put into educating our children simply by starting school three weeks later.
Lane Holt
Marietta
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You didn't come up with this $$ issue until after you were beaten.
Al is right - this is a county issue - not a state issue.
People are tired of being told what to do by "people who know better" - let people decide what is important to them. Let the local government work.
The main goal of the balanced calendar is strictly aimed at the teachers- not the children or the parents. Make the teachers happy so they will stick around and reduce turnover. If you have something to argue that point, please share what reports you can to show the benefits of the balanced calendar
"East Cobbers for longer summers" give it a break. The rest of Georgia don't want what you want. Leave us alone!!!
When many are looking at losing their homes and jobs and many other issues such as nationalize healthcare, you find having a longer summer so important. You live a charmed life and should thank God.
All you have to focus on is a longer summer? Boy are you living the sweet life -Hope it stays that way.
Not all of us can live in East Cobb an afford luxury vacations like you Lane. Quit living in your bubble and reach out to state.
Maybe some volunteering might help
Who are you to tell us in Cherokee county that we cannot have a school calendar that we love? How would you like it if our representative made a bill stating that all schools have to go year around?
Bottom line: THIS IS NOT A STATE ISSUE.