UPDATE 7/29: Was the State Board right to approve furloughs?
UPDATE 7/29: Atlanta Public Schools joins several others districts in saying they wont furlough teachers. Read the story here.
UPDATE: As expected, state board members cleared the way for school districts to furlough teachers. Wait there’s more: the unanimous vote gives school districts the opportunity to use up to seven more furlough days.
The State Board of Education is meeting today to vote on amending rules so that any of Georgia’s 182 school districts could change the terms of the teachers’ contracts to allow for furloughs.
Last week, Gov. Sonny Perdue requested that public school districts furlough teachers for three days to save the state about $100 million.
State employees will be furloughed three days and state agencies must cut their budgets by 5 percent because of a $900 million hole in the budget.
Perdue can’t make the districts furlough teachers. But he told system leaders that the amount of money they receive from the state will be cut to reflect furloughs. If schools systems don’t want to furlough, they have to find other places to cut.
Of course, school districts have been slicing and dicing their budgets for years because of austerity cuts and other reductions in state funding.
Some school districts – such as Gwinnett, Forsyth and Cherokee – decided to furlough. Many other systems have done the same, cutting into teachers’ pre-planning time as they prepare for the new school year.
Other systems – such as Cobb and DeKalb – have found other places to cut.
Several systems that furloughed teachers told them not to come in yesterday or today. Teachers, are you still doing work from home?
It’s expected that the state board will approve the change to allow for furloughs. But what message would the board send if they voted it down?
NOTE: The State Board of Regents is expected to take up furloughs and budget cuts for Georgia’s public colleges and universities when it meets Aug. 11 and 12.
STORY HELP: Reporter Nancy Badertscher is looking to speak with private school parents who are using scholarships funded by the tax credit approved by the General Assembly in 2008. If you would like to participate in this story please contact Nancy at nbadertscher@ajc.com.
MORE STORY HELP: A co-worker is writing a back-to-school story looking at who is volunteering in schools. If your PTA or school has an interesting group — whether it be all fathers or all grandparents or employees from a local company — we want to hear from you. Send a note to gstaples@ajc.com if you’d like to participate.
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322 comments Add your comment
Maccadave
July 28th, 2009
2:29 pm
What the state needs to do is quit taking from the teachers and give them more. A furlough for educators is the most assanine thing I have ever heard of. There are other places to trim the fat within the Georgia budget. What needs to happen is you need to dig deeper in your pockets for the teachers who spend their hard earned money on their own students, and supply them with materials that they are never reimbursed for. How dare the State Of Georgia think about taking money out of the pockets of teachers. I am glad to see that my mother retired after 36 years in a challenged area escape with her pension, considering she didn’t get a raise during the Sonny “Buddah” Perdue administration for the 3 years she hoped for one prior to her retirement. Are you going to try to furlough the retired teachers from their retirement money next to make up for the shortfalls? You ought to furlough Sonny Perdue for the expense he has caused the state. Take away DOT funding, and quit paying David Doss to run his mouth in Atlanta. The roads are great there, and could probably survive without a few projects that are nothing but pork. Work on the ones that matter. Don’t take it out on teachers. There are other states that will embrace them a lot better than your joke of a state. I am so glad I moved from there.
HB
July 28th, 2009
2:30 pm
ScienceTeacher671, DuBose Porter recognized the problem and offered up and fought for solutions that the Republican leadership killed in committee. Please visit http://porterforgeorgia.blogspot.com/ to read more.
Its a joke.
July 28th, 2009
2:46 pm
So why did I bother signing a contract if the state can just step in and invalidate it? What rules are they going to change before the game starts? Kind of like playing baseball and deciding before the first pitch that 2 strikes and your out.
More importantly than the pay and salary, what message does this send to students in Georgia? Teachers are already thought of as the lowest class “profession” there is. How about someone who is in college who might think about being a teacher? This state already has low graduation rates, low standardized test scores, and a general negative view on education as it is. We really can’t raise the cigarette tax or alcohol tax, or streamline our system and allow counties to collect tax revenue instead of the state, which Alabama did and saved them millions.
I’m glad I am living in the south….where cigarettes are more important than education.
South Ga Teacher
July 28th, 2009
2:46 pm
flipper
July 28th, 2009
10:29 am
“Why not just cut the school year by two weeks and then cut out all the ridiculous indoctrination and fluff that takes up so much of the school day to make up for the first week and actually teach until the last day of school rather than having a week of parties and field days and just general chaos during the last week of school. Kids get more summer (my kids learn as much in one summer as they learn in a school year) – schools get more efficient. Teachers have a long enough summer to work on advanced degrees or get a summer job which would more than make up for two weeks of lost pay. Everyone wins.”
Hey Flipper-Teachers don’t get “long enough summers to work on advanced degrees or get a summer job”…I don’t know about the other teachers that have posted, but I know that from the time I walked out of the door in May to the time I walked back in the door to help move two schools and preparing/teaching camps was five weeks. Not exactly enough time to work on that advanced degree or to work a “summer” job. Mind you, that five weeks was unpaid…my salary, just like every other public school teacher in in this state, is divided into 12 checks that I receive at the end of each month. I’m back at school this year at school three weeks before classroom teachers, and work more hours than they do.
Who wants to go fishing in Perry? How many billions did that cost?
Nikole
July 28th, 2009
2:57 pm
@ Danielle—-I don’t have to shut up just b/c I continue to work in Dekalb. Leaving is easier said than done. No one wants to quit a job in the middle of a recession, with no guarantee of finding another. Contracts must be signed a month before most districts begin their hiring for the following year. I will be leaving after this year, but in the meantime, I will speak out when I feel that I am not being treated fairly, no matter what district I work in.
WBK
July 28th, 2009
3:02 pm
Who needs a high school diploma anyway!! Just get your GED and go to college using the HOPE and PELL. Employers want college grads right? Why waste your time with high school diplomas. It is that simple in GA.
No one needs a high school diploma in GA just a college degree.
ScienceTeacher671
July 28th, 2009
3:09 pm
HB, thank you! I found that while looking for Dubose Porter’s contact information, and also found that he is calling for a special session to address the budget problems and hopefully reconsider HB 356 – so I called with support instead!
I see that a special session would be expensive, but (1) the lawmakers could, if they wished, work without compensation for time and travel as they wish us to do, and (2) the session would more than pay for itself by the extra revenue that could be generated by implementing the point-of-sale proposal and higher tobacco taxes.
It is nice to know that there is at least one person in our state government actually showing some leadership.
Its a joke.
July 28th, 2009
3:11 pm
Actually I wouldn’t be surprised if the governor’s plan factored in the impending swine flu pandemic that is due to come this fall/winter to lower the school population across the state, and then he can balance the budget on the number of students who didn’t survive.
The other truly sad thing is that no one in GA, except for educators, seems to really care. If we where up North, you would have read editorials from the press, had marches on the state capital, had parent groups and business groups upset. GA seems to take it all in stride, and not really care. I saw more coverage of the upcoming Florida/Georgia football game, including the time of the game, how water maybe an issue, etc. than I have heard about education.
God how pathetic.
Legend of Len Barker
July 28th, 2009
3:13 pm
Though colleges going on the semester system is probably more enjoyable than the quarter system, it certainly knocked everyone’s school out of whack.
When the Legend was a mere schoolchild, the earliest school ever started for the kids was August 21. In previous years, it started around Labor Day because of the kids being farmhands. I know some north Georgia schools used to have weird summer schedules because it’s hard to grow string beans on the sides of mountains.
Remember when it used to be that a teacher’s favorite three months were June, July, & August? Now it’s part of June and most of July.
Furlough doesn’t bother me as much because they school system is already getting tons of unpaid hours out of its teachers. Really, what’s a few more? Just because this is a visible a slap in the face…
Coaches get minimal supplements for their sports (except football. especially Lowndes and Valdosta football). Regular classroom teachers get diddly squat for all the hours grading papers, filling out IEPs, sitting behind scorer’s tables, and waiting to see if Johnny’s mama shows up for that meeting she planned at an hour most inconvenient to you.
I personally think the loss of the $100 gift cards was a much bigger blow. Like Susie’s, Patsy’s, Kelly’s, or Bobby’s moms/guardians are going to contribute supplies to make up for that.
Concerned tax payer
July 28th, 2009
3:15 pm
Ironic that a week ago the headlines were about a graduation crisis in GA and the following week we are furloughing teachers. If we have such an education problem in GA why would be doing anything that has an adverse affect on the education system?
Bev
July 28th, 2009
3:18 pm
School Level Administrator- I wish I worked for you!
FLAWoodLayer
July 28th, 2009
3:19 pm
Teachers do not wok on a furlough day! It’s time everyone is held accountable for this mess. If parents see a room that is not ready, maybe that will make them think about the jokes they elect in office from the governor to the school board.
Teacher No More!
July 28th, 2009
3:48 pm
I went in today for pre-planning and they had us sitting in a 3 hour B.S. meeting even though we are furloughed this Friday with tons of work to do. When the meeting was over, 11:45, I used one of the computers in the media center, typed my registration, turned it in to the principal and left. I didn’t even bother to answer any of her questions or, as of 3:00, 15 calls to my cell. I’m (was) a third year teacher and the B.S. just kept increasing in my school. I’m a double major, math and computer science, with no kids or student loans so i’m not too worried about getting a job. I hate to be a statistic but I honestly can’t see putting up with nonsense for the next 30 years. You guys and gals will be in my prayers; teaching is SUCH A THANKLESS JOB.
The Easiest Way To Get Laid | All Days Long
July 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
[...] UPDATE: Was the State Board right to approve furloughs? | Get Schooled By Laura Diamond this gives you the number of teachers you would need to lay off – have the teachers all draw straws (yes that crude) and the shortest straw(s) get laid off. Link; Report this comment. Way Down South. July 28th, 2009 10:24 am … Get Schooled – http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/ [...]
Derwood
July 28th, 2009
3:49 pm
Where is teh web site that will list school systems salaries. Our Super makes $150,000.00 plus a year. 7th and 8th grade principla recceived a $16,000.,00 bonus this year for making AYP (yep she taught every class and every student, yeah right) Another principal only got $10,000.00 as she didn’t make AYP.
nana
July 28th, 2009
3:54 pm
Derwood that website would be Open.Georgia.gov, lists all State employees’ salaries to include teachers. Have to know person’s name. Very informative site.
roll up your sleeves
July 28th, 2009
3:58 pm
More work, More meetings, More kids,More curriculum changes, More scrutinization, More non instructional duties equals less pay.
business owner
July 28th, 2009
3:58 pm
Teachers are bitching about what amounts to less than a 2% pay cut. WOW now I really feel bad for them…… try taking the pay cut I had to take to keep my business running and then you can talk to me about your problems.
deerfly11
July 28th, 2009
4:12 pm
I have never voted for a democrat in all of my 50+ years. I now apologize for voting choices over the years. I pledge never to vote for a republican again. Fly
Marie
July 28th, 2009
4:12 pm
teacher no more-
Sounds exactly what I will be for next Monday….long BS meeting with explanations of the MORE duties and paperwork we will have to do this year…documentation, documentation, blah, blah
I will not turn in my resignation though…I have student loans, 2 kids, new house mortgage and just got a car loan.
More furlough days not less
July 28th, 2009
4:13 pm
Strange as it seems, the furloughs could actually improve education. Based on the number of responses on this topic, and the close to 600 on the previous furlough topic, it seems that teachers just refuse to speak up for better teaching conditions until you abuse them to the point of threatening their financial futures.
If that’s what it takes, maybe they should approve an additional 20 furlough days, so that teachers will feel the sense of financial desperation they seem to need to finally speak up.
It’s terrible to think that it would have to come to that, but look at the number of responses when it does.
John
July 28th, 2009
4:14 pm
Teachers do a great job. The good ones work incredibly long hours. They are very important to this state. However, there are many other state employees who also do great jobs, work long hours and are very important–including DFCS caseworkers, state troopers, GBI agents, state prosecutors, health inspectors, and others. They have all been furloughed many more days than teachers–12 to 18 days in some cases–and they face the same or greater furloughs than teachers. None of them have received either a cost of living raise or their step increase in two years. Yet, you don’t hear any of them complaining about their plight. Compare yourself to many of the parents of the children you teach and be thankful that you (1) at least have a job and (2) haven’t had your income reduced by 50 or even 75 percent like many of them who have to work the same hours they always have at much less money than in the past. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
less furlough days not more
July 28th, 2009
4:17 pm
“more furlough days not less’…. yeah, get em really pissed off, then they start unions and go on strike.. that will really help education! actually that is probably what should happen.. and then the public would realize how important a teacher is in the life of their child!
Joe Wilson
July 28th, 2009
4:24 pm
DeKalb Conservative talks using test scores, but test results can be dubious as in Texas where some claimed test was written to be easier each year. Scores went up artificially and George Bush claimed as governor that he had raised them. Test data is not what it always what it seems. It is one measure of a student’s academic learning, but not the only one. Georgia spends much money (I wish I knew the exact amount), but learning can be measure by a national test also. National tests are much cheaper and not as costly as Georgia CRCT.
Many school systems do have teachers with instructional titles and supervisory roles, but do not pay them as administrators like Davis says. They have long work hours and administrative functions, but are not paid commiserative with their duties.
just browsing
July 28th, 2009
4:26 pm
Hi John,
Your observation is correct, most service professionals have been furloughed, however, they are also accorded more respect and have spoken out regarding these issues as groups, in some instances garnering the changes they sought. Teachers, on the other hand, rarely have a voice in education. Perhaps this was the straw that broke the camels back. Until you have taught and witnessed the varied abuses that often come at the expense of student learning, you will never realize why this touched off so many discussions. It has so little to do with the furlough, and more about repressed frustrations that teachers are just now having an opportunity to voice. I am not so certain that it has a lot to do with the money as it does the conditions with which many of us teach under. The PR that schools provide to the public are just that, PR- under that mask lurks many dysfunctions and abusive practices that create the high teacher attrition and unstable schools that usurp any efforts to improve student achievement. These conversations are cathartic and will perhaps be instrumental in changing the poor teaching climates. I am convinced that Georgia is not interested in having stable schools, as much as they are having teachers with little ability to negotiate better conditions for themselves and who work at the mercy of the educrats. Teachers can, and will change this when they are ready- or bowed over to their breaking point. Something has to give.
say what?
July 28th, 2009
4:30 pm
Nikole are you really a teacher, as your posts often forget the rule on prepositions- not at the end of a sentence? It is sad that furloughs are taking place and districts are doing things differently to meet the requirement.
I do believe that Sonny knew he could get the State DOE to go along with furlough business because teacher contracts do state that as “long as there are funds” and how the heck do you end a fiscal year balanced, and three weeks into a new fiscal year you are $900 MILLION short. Talk about planning- it was to be done regardless of what teachers or superintendents thought. Perdue only makes these “budget changes” after school systems have set budgets, allocated resources, and set the millage rate. So your local superintendent and local board gets the blame for Sonny’s mess. This is the 2ND time Sonny has done this and because he is not running again, it doesn’t affect him nor his fishing buddies.
The last thing that needs to be done is a fight teachers vs.everyone else. The furlough says teachers, but some districts are furloughing EVERYONE. Perhaps the media should have stated “all schools systems will receive cut to personnel pay”; but then again media cannot tell the truth as the truth doesn’t get the emotion necessary to cause hate to spew.
The EXTRA retirement in DCSS is a great opportunity to which people can participate after being employed over 3 years. Since this was a flexible expense it was at the discretion of the board and the superintendent to make changes as necessary. It was to be a perk and incentive for people to want to work for DCSS, and obviously it is not working from the look of this blog.
I don’t care what an administrator tells an employee- YOU DO NOT show for work on a furlough day. NOT even the custodians. Stick together on this one, and if necessary file a Department of Labor complaint.
R.D.Mercer
July 28th, 2009
4:36 pm
Why aren’t they furloughing the BOE. The administrators make a ton more money & won’t be missed.
ScienceTeacher671
July 28th, 2009
4:39 pm
John, you are correct – this is affecting ALL state employees. That’s why we ought to all be advocating for the general assembly to get back in session and pass tobacco taxes and the point of sale tax collection to help balance the budget, and to get rid of the sales tax holiday.
And just for those who think teachers are being selfish by suggesting that the sales tax holiday be revoked — how many school supplies would you need to buy to even save $20? Think about it.
ScienceTeacher671
July 28th, 2009
4:41 pm
….and when you call your state senator & representative (and don’t forget Casey Cagle!) don’t forget that the staffer who answers the phone is also a state employee, also subject to furlough, and possibly earning less than you do….
DeKalb teachers and GAE
July 28th, 2009
4:45 pm
say what? I think there is a larger point to be made than the fact that the retirement that was cut was an extra perk. The extra that should be focused on is one hundred million dollars. From my understanding, that’s not what DeKalb pays in administrative salary, that’s what they pay EXTRA in comparison to Fulton.
I’m just wondering how Nikole and other DeKalb County teachers feel, that the largest organization for teachers seemed more than willing to go after retirement, than they apparently did one hundred million dollars in deadweight administrative salaries?
FulCo teach
July 28th, 2009
4:48 pm
Fulton County has posted a furlough Q&A
http://www.fultonschools.org/story_detail_masterdata.asp?id=2443
abacus2
July 28th, 2009
4:51 pm
Thanks Marie!
abacus2
July 28th, 2009
4:54 pm
Business owner – Fayette County teachers have already taken a 4.5% cut. That, plus furlough days is a LOT more than 2%!
Nikole
July 28th, 2009
4:59 pm
I am not here to write my dissertation, I am just sharing my frustrations. Sorry if my posts are not edited to your satisfaction.
Sp Ed Teacher
July 28th, 2009
5:00 pm
PLEASE do not work on your furlough days. WHY???? If everything can get done in 187 days, look for your next contract to be fewer than 190 days. My parking space was/is empty for furlough days. If things are not ready, that will show that I really need those days for preparation. GA is one of the few states with 190 day teacher contracts. Many states/systems have 183 – 185 day contracts and they get everything done; some of it on their own time.
Frustrated
July 28th, 2009
5:07 pm
Why has no one in our county or state goverment mentioned shortening the school year?
Teacher in Crazy Land
July 28th, 2009
5:20 pm
I don’t mind having three day off without pay. What disturbes me more is the crazy decision of my South Fulton County principal to make us have 4 half days and 1 full day off. Get a life please, all the teachers have one!
jbuckeye
July 28th, 2009
5:24 pm
Teachers, it is time to unionize! We need a real say in education. PAGE is not strong enough. This would not be happening in a unionized state. The benefits, salaries, conditions and care of students are much better in a unionized state. If the state and districts can push us around, they will.
New DeKalb Teacher
July 28th, 2009
5:33 pm
As a New First year teacher and in DeKalb, I have made myself familiar with the contract and the provisions and no where in my contract does it say they can furlough me. My wife in Gwinnett was furloughed for three days and was frustrated with the fact they made the decision before the State Board permitted it. This is crap. Teacher Unions just sound sketchy to me. I have been to my classroom several times this week to set it up and get things going without pay. I know that I have to pay my dues and work hard for my money, but I believe in going beyond money and helping my kids succeed. If you got into education thinking you get the summers off and an easy paycheck, please leave. You make the rest of us look ignorant. I have been to 9 school job fairs and I was glad to get a job in DeKalb at an Amazing High School. I want to teach and help my kids succeed at all costs even if it means sacrificing money to do so.
Some ideas are getting rid of CRCT for 1st and 2nd grades. If it isnt required by the feds then do not do it. Please, my wife toils with 1st graders to help them bubble in circles. I liked the idea of raising the tobacco tax. Everyone has to pinch pennies today, but I am just happy to have a job. I am better off than some of the people I graduated with this past year. I am just happy to have a job and do what I love. Its sad that the people who suffer the most are the teachers and kids and Purdue should be ashamed of himself for betraying his education roots. His mother taught my father in Warner Robins and his momma should spank him for what he’s doing to us.
Turn the PAGE
July 28th, 2009
5:38 pm
Saying PAGE is not a strong enough when it comes to standing up for teachers is like saying a nickel is not enough money to purchase a Ferrari. Yet teachers have made PAGE the largest teacher organization in the state. That’s the kind of thinking that’ll lead you into a bar fight with Truman Capote, PeeWee Herman and Mini-Me at your side, then wondering why you got your @ss kicked.
At some point teachers are going to have to decide how much of this is happening to them, and how much of this is teachers allowing it to happen to them.
Upset Parent
July 28th, 2009
6:19 pm
Here is the good news. Fot it from an administrator today. 3% pay cut next year is being recommended. In the late 70s Oklahoma had the broom brigade to sweep out the trash in office and start over. It made a change. There is no excuse for this and it is TIME TO FURLOUGH THE POLITICIANS.
cgregister
July 28th, 2009
6:20 pm
As I have said before and I will say again. Johnny Brown cleaned house in DCSS and Crawford Lewis has brought them all back, plus more. Why do you think that they are moving the people from Building A and B to Mountain Industrial in January? There is no more room in the “BIG HOUSES”. Where is the money coming from to do this? Why does it have to be done now, when money is so tight? Also, why did Lewis have to create new positions under him to the tune of over $152,000? I would also like to know how they are getting out of paying the money that should be going into our retirement that would have gone into Social Security? Also, is it happening to everyone in the county?
sam hoglan
July 28th, 2009
6:22 pm
There are many people who have been furloughed. Some secretaries lost 5 days, assistants lost 10 days, kitchen work staff are not getting paid for some of their vacation days. Guidance counselors, psychologists lost out on a lot of days as well. Too bad nobody asked employees where Fulton County schools wastes money. What a thought.
Rejoice
July 28th, 2009
6:49 pm
Teachers should rejoice about these furlough days. It seems pretty clear that these furlough days are going to adversely affect students’ learning, i.e. whatever is measured by the standardized tests. So, even before we start our first day of the school year, we know the test results won’t be good and we know why. So, maybe teachers can just focus on enjoy teaching what they like without having to worry about preparing students for the tests – if they fail, just simply point to those furlough days we lost. It’s true 10 days of pay cuts is a major blow, but let’s think about the positive side.
fcteacher
July 28th, 2009
6:53 pm
gw.teacher, I agree, my husband left me this summer, and left me to the mortgage. I was already cutting it close, but thank you Sonny for the upcoming foreclosure on my home. I will ask you to cosign for me on my rental.
Richmond County Teacher
July 28th, 2009
6:57 pm
Announced today, Richmond County teachers will have one furlough day added to the four implemented already BEFORE Sonny’s latest dictum. BUT, teachers will work all four furlough days except the recent one. All teachers will be able to get off 15 minutes early each day of the school year (yeah, right), in order to make up for the furlough days worked.
TEACHER FORMALLY FROM UNION STATE
July 28th, 2009
7:00 pm
I have taught in 7 states in this fine country, and I must say the few years I have been here have been SHOCKING and NOT in a positive light. First off, some of the things that are done or said to teachers by administration is frightening. Do you know administrators in GA think it is ok to question the personal sex life of their teachers? PAGE did nothing for this member. Do you know in GA it is ok to fudge paperwork to meet your need? Also, GA administrators think it is alright to reprimand teachers for something they hear by a third party? There have even been arguments because teacher choose to eat alone or with their friends instead of department chairs. I live in a neighborhood loaded with teachers from several counties, and these are just a FEW of the stories I hear.
YOU NEED A TEACHER UNION in the state of GA. THE STATE IS WALKING ALL OVER YOU!!!!! What would your county do if you wanted to break a contract? Take your certificate away, because I watched that happen to a co worker of mine when she moved out of state to care for her ill mother last year, not that she would ever be back so it won’t make any difference. It is ok for the state and county to break their contracts with teachers and furlough them though.
I am counting down the days to my husband’s next transfer so I can get the hell out of Dodge. I assure you it will be a move BACK TO A UNION state.
And parents……home school your kids! WE DO!
Tim
July 28th, 2009
7:03 pm
Teachers do need to remember that many other state employees have been taking furloughs for about a year, and some of these jobs involve the safety and risk to children’s lives. I find it only fair that teachers now can join the club of working with GA’s budget shortfalls.
Rejoice
July 28th, 2009
7:07 pm
I guess my post got lost in the AJC cyberspace as so many others.
Anyway, I was thinking we should be considering the positive side of all these furlough days. It seems we all know that our students will suffer because of these furlough days. That means lower test scores and everything. Of course, we know this before Day 1. That means we don’t have to worry about tests as we begin our school years. Let’s forget about the CRCT, EOCT, graduation tests, etc. etc. Just enjoy teaching!!! I feel liberated!!!
Disappointed
July 28th, 2009
7:09 pm
I agree that there are positions that need to be cut: example (Middle School Graduation Coaches). These people do nothing and our state’s gradutation rate is still at the bottom of the list. Teachers pay out so much to teach children, only to be told at the last minute that they will loss three days of pay. I provide school supplies and lunch money to students, when their parents fail to do so. I went to work today, even though I was not paid. We sacrifice so much. Thanks a lot Sonny Perdue for showing teachers how important we are.