I thought the lesson might be learned and it would end there. However, Dollar is now introducing legislation that affects only Cobb. I am rather surprised. We are in an era of extremely unpopular, expanding government and a strong desire by citizens for limited government and local control. This is being fully debated on the internet and at Tea Parties in the most stringent of ways. His proposed legislation flies in the face of all this unprecedented public uprising and all basic Republican ideals of limited government and local control. Dollar was elected as a Republican.
In fact, many critics and supporters alike even believe the recent national health care bill is the Obama Administration's first step toward other federal takeovers. In fact, the New York Times recently suggested that the current administration should also attempt to control oil production and the public's "energy use" and to continue its increasing federal control over education, thereby making Dollar's own elected powers irrelevant. How ironic.
With all due respect, he seems to have a rather poor understanding of the public's desire of what it wishes from its government. State Sen. Chip Rogers (R-Woodstock) even stated, "I generally support local control of these matters." The worst part of all is that Dollar has given his own constituency a bit of a black eye. East Cobb is already fighting a reputation as selfish. I've encountered a strong belief that this legislation is desired only because East Cobbers are wealthy enough to afford long, luxurious vacations or summers at vacation homes and don't wish to give that up. Please note, this legislation is not being spearheaded, nor endorsed, by the majority of the East Cobb community, but rather just Dollar and a few individuals who believe strongly in their cause.
Yes the balanced calendar is a controversial subject and anyone reading my columns knows I am in favor of it because it increases academic retention.
I do understand a lot of people also want the long summer choice, including some of my own friends and neighbors.
However, when the state legislation was first introduced I asked them what they thought and they surprised me by being outraged. Even though it might get them the calendar they desired, they were offended at the tactics. They didn't believe in the "means to the ends" strategy.
Also, they felt going that way was a slippery slope. What would be next if we allow the state government to trump and micro-manage our elected school boards? Next would they override our county commissioners if a small constituency didn't like one thing or another? My neighbors made my points for me.
I don't wish for this to devolve into a discussion about the pros or cons of the individual school calendars. There are studies on both sides to quote, and that horse has been beaten to death.
Nor is this a column on the effectiveness of the individual school board members, there have been tons of columns on that. I only wish to point out that the dynamic between state legislators and school boards is not dissimilar to the one between our federal government and state governments and, we as a people, have to determine if we wish to consistently stand firm on local control.
JoEllen Smith is an education activist and freelance writer in east Cobb.
Follow us on Twitter!
I have never met an elected school representatiave with the smallest clue as to how to run a school district with fiscal constraints in mind. It costs far more to air condition schools in August of any given year than it does to air condition schools into early June. Only the fiscally-challenged and common-sense-impaired are ever elected to school board positions. As a taxpayer, I am appalled by the lack of business acumen each of our elected school boards has.
Matt Dollar makes sense financially when he suggests not starting school during the hottest and most humid month of the year in the Southeaster U.S. Your column is not filled with facts, just feelings. Herein lies your ignorance; businesses make decisions based upon facts -- like costs -- not feelings. Perhaps schools systems should start acting like businesses during this Great Recession.
One thing is for sure: If Cobb schools put another SPLOST on the ballot when the current one runs out, I'm going to vote it down. I have seen too much waste caused by bad decisions and lack of good judgment to even consider voting for a third school SPLOST. (Can anyone say "astroturf" or "student laptops"?) And, taxpayers already have it figured out that all the school administrators, teachers and staff are only to happy to vote themselves a raise by voting for the first two SPLOST votes.
I don't want big brother state government telling us what to do.
AP teacher - I think you are wrong about the number of weeks - count again!
students are "robbed" of a full week of instruction in February due to the Balanced Calendar as a result of the week off in February prior to AP Exams in early May. Of course, we get the week back AFTER the exams, but the damage has already been done. Don't make statements you know nothing about.
I am a Republican and I want the lowest level of government making the decisions. - and you cannot get much lower than our current school board.
i cannot believe that the Lane Holts of the world cannot give it a rest!
this isn't a job for the representative - it is a school board job - get rid of your school board member if you are not happy with the results. this is the way the democratic method works.
A calendar DOES NOT make a difference in academic achievement but a teacher does and class size does. A calendar however does affect the BUDGET. Please do your research and look at the cost to run school in the August. Also look at this calendar and note how yet again on the backs of teachers and our students how this calendar will give this district the ability to furlough teachers cutting into their prep time.
Stop attacking and produce hard facts!!!! Stop hiding behind all the propaganda that Sanderson et al put out there with regards to the achievement level using this calendar. They had no studies but used it only as a tool to cut teachers pay!!!!! Now THAT IMPACTS STUDENTS!!!!!