I've lived in Cobb for several years, and last year moved my daughters from private to public schools. As such, I've only recently begun to pay attention to Cobb school issues.
I was excited for my children to attend Cobb schools, especially my eldest, who would be attending brand-new Allatoona High, with its state-of-the-art facilities, college-campus like culture, and stellar facility and staff. And when I voted in favor of SPLOST it seemed like a good idea - something that would make an already fantastic school even better. And while none of the monies raised by SPLOST carried, as I recall, specific designations, the prospect of artificial turf on the football field also sounded like a good idea. Quite literally, the grass was indeed proving to be greener.
But now, as my honeymoon with the Cobb County School system cools and reveals a less "greener" reality, I'm left scratching my head. Does it make sense that despite the fact that the county plans to cut 579 teacher jobs, 68 central-office jobs, 34 graduation coaches, 31 alternative-education staffers and 21 school counselors, people still want to spend up to $11 million to install artificial turf in the county high schools? And does it make sense that the best argument many of these people can muster is, "Hey, we voted to spend the money this way!" Really, Cobb County? To me, that's the fiscal equivalent of your car running out of gas in your driveway but refusing to use the gallon of gas in the gas can because, "Hey, that gas was allocated solely for use in the lawnmower!" It's what I call the artificial turf/lawn mower paradox.
Forgoing the turf is the right thing to do, and the CCBOE needs to stand up and drive the effort. In the end, we'll still have our fields. Those aren't going anywhere. The only difference? Well, the grass just won't be as green.
Ben Kaiser
Kennesaw
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I will absolutely be investigating private school choices in Cobb County!
Please enlighten me on the reason behind the stands and turf at Allatoona. You imply that there is a good reason for installing artificial turf instead of stands to watch the games from, but failed to explain. Also, your inability to understand punctuation and the form of a proper sentence seems to suggest that you may be a product of the fine Cobb County School system.
Taxes are collected in Cobb and sent to the State for redistribution (QBE).
If splost funds are used for anything other than Capitol Improvements the State can and will lower the amount of funds (education and teacher salaries to Cobb).
The CCSB could go back and revote on what Captial
improvements the SPLOST monies could be spent on. That's about the only hope the anti-turf foes have.
An election is coming up in November, where the CCSB can add an ammendment (line item to vote)to re vote on the funds of splost and how they can be allocated for the next 1-4 years with adding new expenditures or rather new cost that it could cover. Such as a covering the QBE/austerity cuts. But of course the brainiacs we have running Cobb are too stupid to think this is worth the taxpayers vote.
My family and I were transferred to Georgia years ago and picked cobb due to the school system. We left an area up north paying well over 10k in taxes, 85% of those taxes went to the school system. The superintendant there now makes half of what Fred does. The district has a 100% graduation rate and 98% attend college. Not to mention all students are prepared for college whether they choose to go or not. We never questioned the taxes collected for our schools nor try to fight to have it lowered. It appears that the area where we once lived was filled with parents that put education first above all. Our superintendant and school board shared our thoughts and listened! Our kids played on dirt and little grass for all the sporting events and there was never any mention of improving atheletic fields rather then keeping up with the classrooms for academics. I would like to say, all of the schools had several graduates that went on to have full scholarships for sports and many even went pro. If I had to name all the pro players it would amaze you. My point is, that having these huge college like stadiums in a high school will not make a damn bit of difference for a child that has any talent in the sport he/she so chooses. Parents, peers and faculty for these kids will attend their games whether they bring their own chairs or are sitting on park like bleachers. Please please before it is too late get your priorities straight.
As for me we have already registered our children this coming fall for private school. Due to a bad economy to our surprise there was no waiting list. CCSB does not care about my children, therefore I have to take matters into my own hands.
Lastly, go ahead and raise the millage and hopefully that will be enough to save some jobs and hold on to a decent school system. But I do hope that all come out to vote this November and vote everyone of you out of office!
Using your logic, since your car and gas can are out of gas, you shouldn't use your diesel-fueled truck. Your neighbors' cars are out of gas, too. It wouldn't look right for you to drive in your neighborhood... that would be insensitive. Never mind that your employer (voters) gave you that diesel for a specific use.
SPLOST stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. It is a one-cent tax on all consumer goods that must be approved by voters in a referendum.
SPLOST RECEIPTS CAN ONLY BE USED FOR SCHOOL RELATED CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS.