BOE takes backhanded swipe at Amendment 1

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BOE takes backhanded swipe at Amendment 1

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Wednesday, October 24. 2012

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The Commerce Board of Education held a special called meeting on Monday night to pass a resolution “in support of quality public education.”

The resolution urges the Governor and state legislators to commit to adequately fund public school education for all K-12 students in Commerce City Schools and throughout Georgia.

While avoiding mentioning it by name, the resolution indicates the board’s opposition to Amendment 1 of the Georgia Constitution, which is on the Nov. 6 General Election ballot.

Approval of Amendment 1 by the voters would validate a state commission on charter schools that has the authority to create charter schools even in circumstances where the local board of education is in opposition.

The legislature passed the resolution putting the amendment on the ballot following a Georgia Supreme Court ruling that the Charter School Commission was unconstitutional.

Proponents of the measure argue that it will enhance school “choice,” while opponents say it is a move that will siphon funding from the current public schools.

The resolution also urges the state to acknowledge the success of public schools in the state and encourages the governor and legislators to cease efforts to erode local control of public schools.

The resolution was signed by superintendent James McCoy and board chair Rodney Gary.

The vote authorized the McCoy to transmit an official copy of the resolution to the governor, state representatives and senators, the State Board of Education and the Georgia Department of Education.

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#1 buck on 10/25/12 at 10:03 PM [Reply]

Also the public schools will get the same amount of money they get now, $2000 per child. That amount will not change so stop spreading lies. The main difference is parents wont have to send their kids to that school if they don't feel it is performing and the charter school has a better reputation. So if the BOE is doing such a great job and the best they can why would they be worried and apose this. One reason they know they are abusing the money coming in and will not be able to compete dollar for dollar and people will ask why couldn't you do this with x amount of money.

#1.1 Do the simple math on 10/26/12 at 08:52 AM [Reply]

With all due respect Buck. Please just think about this for one second. I hear what you are saying about Charter schools, but how do you think they will give public schools the same amount of money when they will have to help fund charter schools as well. There is already a shortage of funds. Where do these new funds come from?

#1.1.1 Buck on 10/29/12 at 09:56 AM [Reply]

They don't have to fund them on top of it they just give them the money per child. Just like they do the public school. Do you think someone will build a charter school in your area if people are happy with the school their kids are going to. It will be about a need for a better school, so with this being a factor the public school wont lose one penny if they compete.

#2 Common Cents on 10/26/12 at 09:20 AM [Reply]

I agree that the public schools, in particular, Commerce, have lagged. Football had a higher priority than education when I attended in the late 70s/early 80s. Football stars were given (stress given) passing grades. Coaches married students and no one seemed to notice. I sure hope things have gotten better. Do Charter Schools have football teams? A great answer would be "no". Then you'd have my vote.

#2.1 Walter H. Wilbanks on 10/31/12 at 08:37 AM [Reply]

I agree, if education held the same value as football, our students could actually count back change when power goes off at a cash register, or be able to tell you the larger ...7/16 or 9/16. Abolish texting completely, it's killing the English language.

#3 J.S on 10/27/12 at 07:14 AM [Reply]

The BOE ought to fear. They'll soon be put out of business. Public Education in Commerce and Jackson County in general is horrible. Maybe competition will up their game or toss them out all together.

#4 kc on 10/30/12 at 09:30 AM [Reply]

It's hard to believe that the Commerce BOE believes that competition is bad based on Commerce's history of competitive sports in the area. Perhaps the BOE should look at discontinuing all sports and fine arts competitive programs. This would save more money than they would ever lose from charter schools.

#5 Homeschooling Parent on 11/01/12 at 11:10 PM [Reply]

The fact is, if the schools in the area are good, parents will not want to form charter schools. Why anyone would think it is okay for the government to have a monopoly on free education is beyond me.

Georgia has one of the highest drop out rates in the country (41%) Nationally, 37% of high school seniors in the US can't read at an 8th grade level. Only 28% of Georgia 8th graders scored proficient in math and only 28% score proficient in reading.

Our public schools are failing our children!

Pumping more money into failing schools is not the answer. Georgia spends $9,685 per pupil. If you have a class of 20 students that is $193,700 per classroom. If you only have 28% of your students reading and doing math on grade level for that price, you have bigger problems than needing more money. (Plus more money won't end up going to the students or teachers-it will go to exorbitant overhead costs and be used to line the pockets of administrators-just watch the documentary 'The Cartel' which focuses on NJ public education, it shows more money isn't the answer)

Choice and actual reform are the answers.

#5.1 Idiocy on 11/06/12 at 02:01 PM [Reply]

I hope you learn something when you homeschool your kids on economics. Who else exactly is going to provide free education? More money may not be the answer, but neither is less money. In a county like ours, with three public systems, a quasi-private system siphoning off that money to pay for more, different overhead is not the answer. I support reform, but you already have a choice: public, private, or home. The constitution doesn't guaranty anything different.

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