Class sizes of 40. Prisoners tending school grounds. This can’t be Cobb County. Can it?
I understand the crisis facing state schools, but raising class size to 40 students, as discussed in Cobb today, seems a solution that will only create more problems in the long run. I just don’t know how much a teacher can accomplish with 40 students.
If these scenarios are the only alternative, I have to believe Cobb taxpayers would rather pay higher taxes. I can’t imagine a premier school system like Cobb accepting classes of 40 students or criminals tending the school lawns.
Or is this the new reality of Georgia education? If so, we’re selling our kids short.
According to the AJC:
Cobb County might have to raise classroom sizes to 40 students, cut hundreds of teachers, cut bus routes and use prisoners to maintain school grounds to slash its budget next year.
At a hastily called Wednesday meeting, the Cobb County School Board discussed all of these possibilities, foremost how to handle raising class sizes to the maximum, in order to address an expected $137.7 million deficit in the coming year’s budget.
Board members also talked about making children walk to school if they lived within 1.5 miles of the school. That could cut 200 buses and about $5.6 million, Cobb County School Superintendent Fred Sanderson said.
“If it’s between cutting a teacher in the classroom and cutting a bus route, Cobb County kids are going to walk,” school board member John Abraham said.
With some reservation, board members spoke about using prisoners to maintain school grounds, though not violent felons or child molesters.
“Guys, you have to think outside of the box,” school board member Alison Bartlett said as Abraham quietly left the room while the discussion unfolded.
School board chairwoman Lynnda Crowder-Eagle suggested using people who need to perform community service.
It was determined the biggest savings would come from increasing average class size. That could mean cutting hundreds of teaching positions, Sanderson pointed out.
“Let’s go to the big gorilla in the room,” school board member John Crooks said, referring to the classroom issue.
Raising classroom sizes on average to the maximum allowed by the state would save about $53 million, Sanderson said.
Bartlett cautioned that the numbers the school district has released on the student-teacher ratios are overly optimistic because they represent averages. While the school district said the maximum high school classroom size would be one teacher for every 32 pupils, Bartlett argued that’s not really the case.
“By gosh, they need to understand that it’s an average,” Bartlett said. “For English, science, math and social studies classes, we’re looking at putting 40-plus students in there.”
That would reduce the teacher to a disciplinarian, she said, adding, “I may have 45 kids in a classroom. That is awful.”
“If we could find another way to cut $53 million, we’re all ears,” Abraham said.
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138 comments Add your comment
MHS Teacher in Cobb
April 1st, 2010
5:40 am
Could all of this crap be an April fool’s joke? yea, I didn’t think so neither. 40 students in the classroom is absolutely absurd. Getting rid of teachers is absolutely absurd. But yet people like both Constantinos, Crooks, Crowder Eagle (Oh, how I hate hyphenated names – I refuse to even write it that way!) and Sanderson make money.Did they take a pay cut?
Values Education
April 1st, 2010
5:56 am
First off, the student in 1982 in no way resembles the student of today. Second, many parents in my children’s schools refuse to pay for field trips, so I’m not seeing many “volunteers’ coughing up an additional $500. I think the idea of continuing on as years past until the money gives out has merit. There is no better way to wake up the community than students out for summer break in February. As a bonus, the GA needs summers would not have to resort to a legislative bill. Maybe this way, in 2011 funds paid by Cobb would stay in Cobb.
Bubba
April 1st, 2010
6:11 am
One of the problems in Cobb is that seniors age 62 and over don’t pay school taxes — BUT the county’s “fair share” payment under QBE is based on a tax digest that includes senior citizens. It makes no sense. Cobb is paying more QBE funds than it should.
Angry
April 1st, 2010
6:24 am
I cannot believe this! I pay taxes and this is the education my kids will get? 40 kids in a classroom that holds 20? My 6 year old is going to walk to school down a road where the cars go 50 mph? If Cobb implements these things, people will home school or they will move, then Cobb will get less tax money. I am furious and rethinking the fact that I used to love living in Cobb County.
Fed Up
April 1st, 2010
6:41 am
If the government continues its reckless spending, you cry bloody murder. If the government tries to tighten its belt and make tough choices, you cry bloody murder. If you don’t like the schools, teach your own kids. They’re only the most important things in your life!
Write Your Board Members
April 1st, 2010
6:45 am
Angry, unless you live in a home that cost millions, your taxes don’t come close to covering the cost of your child’s education.
Of course, in GA, we once again are showing that we get what we pay for.
Brandy
April 1st, 2010
6:50 am
What happen to being concerned about our childrens education? If you up the size of classrooms the children will have a hard time learning because the teacher will spend most of her time discipling. How absurd to even suggest that children that live within 1.5 miles of there school can walk. I have two boys that would have to walk down two busy streets that are not properly lit, and no sidewalks. I don’t know what can be done but, this to me is not a fathomable suggestion.
Rightwing Troll
April 1st, 2010
6:52 am
“Where was the outrage when they wasted millions putting all this technology in the classrooms that wasn’t absolutely necessary?”
Where was the outrage when Cobb County spent millions of dollars to put bible stickers in biology textbooks and try and defend it, then spent millions more to remove them???
This Lib wants vouchers, my kids have been in private school instead of CCSD for all thier school years, and I will continue to put them there as long as I am able. Good thing W’s economy drove so many of my competitors under, things might be rough out there, but I’m pretty darn busy…
Rightwing Troll
April 1st, 2010
6:56 am
“This, however, would have to be a long-term, MAJOR change in cultural behaviors within the educational camp…certainly nothing that could happen (even if there was political acceptance) overnight.”
It would also require MAJOR change in cultural behaviours within the home as well. Parents would have to be parents, not Thug Enablers, and accept that little Johhny was actually punished for a reason at school, and accept it.
Gator Nation
April 1st, 2010
6:59 am
Its called the FOOD TAX folks. Re-instate the tax until we are back to being fiscally solvent and then eliminate it.
shellybean
April 1st, 2010
7:00 am
I see an increase in homeschooling or private school enrollment. The government can’t spend your tax dollars appropriately … our children are our most important investment and yet they are once again being given the shaft. So sad
SonnyFab
April 1st, 2010
7:02 am
When California’s budget issues first became news and the state decided not to raise taxes, the Governator announced that he would slash Medicaid funding, stop funding children’s health care, and let prisoners go early (but only the non-violent, non child molesting ones). Why these three things? Because they’re the three most topics most likely to rile up voter outrage. I have to say that this article reads almost exactly like the Governators announcement. Read the statement with “If you don’t raise taxes, then we’re going to…” before his statements.
On the other hand, one thing I’ve always wondered about class size is why seniors in high school can’t possibly function with these ‘huge’ classes of 40 students, but the next year when they’re freshmen at UGA, they’ll take physics and biology is a lecture hall which holds 600. What magical transformation happens in that year…?
Gina
April 1st, 2010
7:07 am
Endlessly, people want to point out the difference between SPLOST funds and operating funds. However, SPLOST expenditures have operating expenses down the road. When was the last time you heard a board member ask “much will this cost us to operate/maintain for the next ten years?” Why are we rebuilding Clarkdale? Why will we be operating TWO complete and separate kitchens and cafeterias at the high schools to isolate 9th graders for lunch? Why do some schools have double administration? Why does every board post need a magnet program? Why are 2-year-old projectors being removed and replaced? How much has each teacher already paid out of his/her pocket to balance this budget? The employees have lost thousands of dollars in pay each and it will takes years for our salaries to recover…if they ever do. We have done our share to keep education in Cobb going. Time for a new solution……raise taxes and cut waste.
Just want to know
April 1st, 2010
7:08 am
If so much of our tax money is going to poorer counties in Georgia through QBE (”redistributed”), are they also facing the same budget crisis we are facing? Are they having to increase class sizes? Are they having to raise their taxes? Their property values are not as high as ours in Cobb so even if they had a 20 mils tax rate, they would not be paying near what we are paying. My opinion…no money should go to these counties until they have paid the maximum allowed by law and the state should return the tax money to where it came from. Another entitlement mentality perpetuated via the school systems breeds that mentality lifelong. Helping someone in a temporary down and out situation is one thing. But allowing this amount of assistance to be a way of life is now coming home to roost in our own community.
Cancer Survivor
April 1st, 2010
7:19 am
Well now, how many of these students are here because their parents wanted a FREE college education for their children. Perhaps Georgia will see a flight of people leaving when lid’l johnie and janie are sitting in a classroom of 40 kids. Georgia simply can not offer everything free to everyone without taxation. Next stop…more limits on college enrolles. So, if you moved here for the free education…coming soon, you’ll be getting what you paid for.
The Cynical White Boy
April 1st, 2010
7:21 am
Strange that, with all the complaints from teachers on this blog, I have not heard any complaints about the Teachers Retirement System defined benefit plan, nor the healtcare associated with that (at least prior to Oblah-blah care), or the weeks off in the summer.
Now, after the bailouts, the mortgage payments for those who should have never had mortgages to begin with, the free school lunches (and breakfasts), the buying of supplies that are taken from my children and given to the ‘poor’, …and now….after Oblah-blah care finishes taking what is left of my disposable income with higher insurance costs…now…you want to RAISE MY SCHOOL TAXES…AGAIN?
Yeah, right.
How about cutting some 6-figure salaries at the Central Office first?
Paul
April 1st, 2010
7:29 am
Cobb county’s central office has been fat for years. Let’s see the AJC report the rising number of central office employees, their salary as compared to other county school systems outside the metro area. Don’t raise my taxes, you have plenty of money, you just choose to throw it away. Too many holidays, too many sick days, too many personal days, comp time, vacation time, paid insurance, milking the pension system…I am not surprised this school board has gotten us in this mess…how on earth could you not see this comming? The private sector is in recovery mode, you clowns could not find your way out of a paper bag. I guess we will see cell phone towers at every school, charge teachers to park, maybe even charge the students a cover charge!! Think outside the box….give me a break.
Howard
April 1st, 2010
7:31 am
Why are cuts not being considered in sports programs in Cobb County? Sports programs, facilities, equipment, coaches, athletic directors, trainers, transportation costs etc. are, at best, an extra in the educational process…they are not central to it. The primary place where education takes place is the classroom and that should be the focus around which the budgetary crisis is addressed
Sickofit
April 1st, 2010
7:33 am
SOLUTION: Get rid of the corrupt road construction companies who hire only illegals to reap personal profits and rape the people of the county of jobs. This should cover the shortfall!
Cancer Survivor
April 1st, 2010
7:34 am
In response to Howard regarding cuts to sports programs. For students who don’t have the grades to get Hope scholarship, they can hope to excel in sports and earn sports scholarships. Next question?
CobbTeacher(But for how much longer?)
April 1st, 2010
7:37 am
If you are a Cobb teacher, like I am, did you watch his video this morning? If not, he goes on to say “Have a good spring break next week and FORGET ABOUT YOUR SCHOOL DISTRICTS FINANCIAL WORRIES and spend time with your family.” How the hell am I going to enjoy a break when I may potentially lose my job? I would love to know if Sanderson got a raise this year or if he took a paycut.
If you are going to pack 40 kids in the classroom and expect grades to rise – you are surely misinformed. How can we do this to our kids – the most important thing in our lives? Find the money somewhere Fred. Stop the sports funding. Go to a four-day work week.
Ray
April 1st, 2010
8:16 am
Raising property taxes etc. Is that the answer if the budgets given to the school system is being mismanaged? Yes that is a question not a statement. To have a deficit that deep, can you blame only “Sonny?” There is no way to have that big of a deficit without mismanagement. You can keep raising taxes, but if that money is not used appropriately then it doesn’t matter how much it is. Cobb county was one of the top school systems in the state not too long ago. It appears, it is being surpassed by Gwinnett and others by a long shot. And it does start at the top.
E. Cobb Parent
April 1st, 2010
8:29 am
Like most on this blog I feel that the central office should be cut to the bare bones and we know that it is not. As for raising taxes, I’ve spoken to several financial people and they don’t feel that it will do the good that some seem to think. In this economy, raising property taxes is not going to give us the gains when people aren’t paying their taxes. I agree with Jill, those attending the schools should kick in extra. As a former room mom I can verify that many do not pay for field trips or for the activities that are done in class. Usually these not paying are living in the more expensive areas. I’ve seen kids with holes in the shoes come in with their field trip money in change. Yet those living in the 500+ subs never paid. Now these same folks may kick in lots to the Foundation and have their name on the wall, but don’t even bother to buy all the school supplies. Before some of you get all worked up, I understand that doesn’t apply to everyone but it does apply to quite a few.
Randy
April 1st, 2010
9:01 am
“Raising property taxes etc. Is that the answer if the budgets given to the school system is being mismanaged?”
Republican ‘tax cut at all costs’ president got us the Great Recession
Republican ‘tax cut at all cost’ Governor squeezed the schools when the going was ‘good’
Saying this was mismanagement at the local level is about like blaming a waitress for a crappy meal…
GA chose tax cuts over education when they voted Republican and now they get to reap what they sowed.
How ironic is it that a state that prides itself on ‘heritage’ has no problem dumping on its kids?
Ken
April 1st, 2010
9:06 am
“Appropriate” class size is a function of appropriate placement, external support, community culture, and student motivation. An example: I taught in a public high school [~1900 students] situated in a university community in Oregon with two (A/B) calculus classes of 49 and 51 students; the average AP score was > 4. Expectations were high; all students in the two classes took the AP test. The graduation class sent 9 students to Stanford, 11 to the Ivies, and another 25+ to other top-tier universities; other, equally capable students, chose the state’s flagship university. Average SAT scores for the graduating class was >1200 (83% of graduates took the SAT). It’s worth noting that the high school student body was a socioeconomically diverse group that fairly represented the overall demographics of American society. Although each of the impacted students would have undoubtedly benefitted from smaller classes, the results indicate that large class size is a surmountable factor in student success.
Georgia is another story. Class size does matter—the bottom line is a deficit of a postive academic culture. [You can fill in the blanks.]
Nature Dude
April 1st, 2010
9:09 am
Fred got a raise last year, and even if he did take a pay cut, the man earned $240,000. His personal assistant, Angela Carder is listed as a teacher, and made $66,000, and if it can’t get any funnier, John Adams, the guy in charge of investigating employee wrong doing in the county, was paid $90,000 last year, and he isn’t even an educator, he’s a former cop.
I could go on and on, check out open.georgia.gov. It was eyeopening to go through central office employees and see what they get paid.
Yes, I am a Cobb teacher, and yes I am contemplating making a career change, not because I don’t like teaching, but because I have to consider other options to provide for my family.
People of Cobb you should rise up, and demand that your state legislators introduce a bill to give control of local taxes back to the counties. It’s a law, and it can be changed. Your legislators represent you, demand it of them. It won’t pass because the good old boys in the other counties know the metro area funds the state, and they hate us for it, so they have done things to limit the metro areas power and influence.
In many other states local money stays local, period. Take the reins back from the state, fund schools locally, and pay teachers locally, there is no reason it needs to be funneled through the state. Just because it’s always been that way does not mean it need stay that way.
You could even break the mega district into smaller districts for better accountability and transparency. The county system came from a time when populations were much smaller. Many states utlize a township district concept, no more than 30 schools in total.
There are many options but it requires a real leader dedicated to transformation, not leaders dedicated to coercion. The attitude of late around Cobb has been, “Here is your turd sandwich, eat it, and tell me how good it tastes!{
The Right Fight
April 1st, 2010
9:58 am
Raise class size to 40? The Fire Department needs to see if some of these classrooms can hold 41 people.
Inmates doing custodial work? Every school employee has to pass a background check. By definition, “inmate” will not pass a background check.
I am surprised there has not been an uprising among the parents, teachers, students, and citizens in Cobb County.
Any politician that thinks these ideas for balacing the budget make sense will not be elected. They should be impeached immediately.
When the school system as teachers for solutions, they never listen to us. For example, teachers for years have said make it mandatory that repeaters pay to take the class again. Putting these repeaters in the class of 40 is ridiculous!
Chalkboard Flu
April 1st, 2010
10:00 am
Thanks for the link to open.georgia.gov
Interesting info galore there. I simply cannot believe that Cindy Loe makes $275K. No wonder she’s willing to completely decimate education in Fulton. She’s do anything, anything, anything at all to keep that job.
johnanon
April 1st, 2010
10:05 am
Lets really think outside the box, and let prisoners train to be substitute teachers and administrators. The prisoners could earn time off by teaching our at risk youth. What a win-win situation, they have “authentic” real life experiences and could share the choices they have made and the consequences of those choices.
Tweets that mention Class sizes of 40. Prisoners tending school grounds. This can’t be Cobb County. Can it? | Get Schooled -- Topsy.com
April 1st, 2010
10:12 am
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jason Divosevic. Jason Divosevic said: Dear Cobb County, please find other programs to cut funding from rather than ruin a terrific school system… http://divo.me/9hZKfv [...]
Typical
April 1st, 2010
10:38 am
Come out of your dream world. 40 kids will not make teachers have to focus on discipline more than education. They ALREADY focus more on discipline than education. Why does it take such a major change to get people involved? If parents were involved in the FIRST PLACE, we might not be in this shape. But no. Schools are nothing more than a baby-sitting service for parents. Don’t believe me? When Sonny created a 2 day gas holiday (whether or not it was a good idea is another debate), what did people do? THEY WENT NUTS because THEY had to find a place for their kids.
And don’t throw out the “Well, we’ll just home school our kids.” That is not a reasonable response. You will still have to pay taxes. That move will just guarantee that your kid doesn’t benefit from any of that tax money.
And on the matter of TRS… TRS is a separate financial matter. Teachers pay into TRS for their entire 30 year careers. Some teachers even have to pay into TRS and then TRS gives them no credit toward retirement. Explain how that is just?!
Gerald
April 1st, 2010
10:41 am
No, Cobb County voters don’t want new taxes. They have decades of race-baiting “we’re not a bunch of corrupt incompetent high tax welfare state liberals and blacks like Atlanta-Fulton-DeKalb, but instead hard working conservatives with good values!” ideology invested, and they aren’t going to let a small thing like their children’s futures get in the way of it. After all, look at how much economic growth Cobb threw away by not allowing MARTA and helping push the metro area towards a regional transportation and planning solution. They should have done that for no reason other than MARTA would have meant more people from the metro area attending Kennesaw State and SPSU, and coming to Cumberland Mall to shop. Sorry, but neoconservatives have been into cutting off their noses to spite their faces for a long time, and it isn’t going to change anytime soon. Quite the contrary, with Obama in office, it is going to get even worse.
Coaching Ballhers
April 1st, 2010
10:42 am
Well Howard, Sports Programs, just like the Arts, Band, and etc. are what keep many of our students in the classroom to be taught. Most students especially our young men would not be even regularly attending school let alone class if there was not some “hook” (incentive) to keep them there. Every student needs an opportunity to have their non-academic side addressed to create as many well rounded indiviuals as we can in the various school systems. So while I can understand why some changes need to be made probably across the board, I cannot support drastic changes that would adversely affect any programs that address a student artistic or phyical gifts and interests.
Dee
April 1st, 2010
10:57 am
Class size is not the problem, class composition is. As an East Cobb parent who is now considering private school, I would have no problem with paying something over and above my property taxes for my son to attend public school, but there is at least one condition — we empower the teachers and schools to remove disruptive students early on in the process. Especially once they hit middle school, these children have free will to choose whether or not to be disruptive. Don’t give me that touchy feely crap about bad parents and blaming them and not the child. I blame the parents too, but any child who cannot by 6th grade figure out after a few detentions or ISSs that disrupting class is unacceptable needs to be moved out. It is a travesty that our public schools teach and cater to the lowest common denominator (the disruptive pupil) rather than forcing the children to rise to the occasion and strive for excellence. I will pay for my child to attend school, but only if I no longer have to hear about so-and-so who received 3 detentions and an ISS in one day and is back in the classroom 2 days later to receive 2 more detentions.
Gwinnett Parent
April 1st, 2010
10:58 am
Teacher-I am sure that the severely disabled were not mainstreamed into your classroom back in 1982. I grew up with large class size(25 in a class). However, we did not have 20% ESOL and another 35% special needs mixed in with the average and above average.
Taxes-Everyone-Schools are funded with both state and federal dollars, not just property tax. A large portion of our state’s budget goes to education. A couple with 1 child earning 100k, living in a 200k home is definetly paying their fair share, especially if they live in the area for 25 years and only use the facilities for 13. Yes, taxes on a 200k are only about $2500. Where do you guys think the rest of the money comes from? Increasing the mill rate is not going to do it. Gwinnett just did this, even made it retroactive and sent out bills for last year. We still have a shortfall. Bottom line, the fat needs to be cut.
Prisoners will be school employees and need background checks. The article does not state that Cobb county plans to extend employment to the prisioners. However, they should make sure that they are not hard core offenders. As the previous poster mentioned, keep the kids inside while they are doing the maintenance, and schedule accordingly.
hooknem
April 1st, 2010
11:10 am
Welcome to Clayton County!
Fan
April 1st, 2010
11:12 am
I have no kids in public school. All have graduated and moved off to college, but I moved to East Cobb for the schools and I want them improved, not killed. The quality of the public schools drives the quality of life. If you don’t believe it, go look at the people in jail. Most are uneducated. Look at the people working behind desks in local businesses, most have high school diplomas and college degrees. if you won’t support the schools, start building the prisons, and forget about social security in your retirement years. There won’t be anyone left to pay it.
Our school board needs to understand that the citizens of Cobb are behind our quality school system, and that we will replace them if they damage it. As our board, they are the stewards of our school system, not its owners. If they won’t take responsibility for improving what was given to them for care for, they will be held accountable and be replaced.
My wife and I are nearing the 62 year cut off for school taxes. I can’t understand how this decision was made, but I for one would rather see some sort of a program for seniors that truly can’t afford their property taxes rather than a blanket rule. No one wants to throw an 80 year old on the street because they can’t afford their property taxes, but that is the exception. Most of these people are fully capable of paying and many have school age children living with them. This rule only makes sense if these seniors aren’t considered part of our society.
jj
April 1st, 2010
11:17 am
Question…..If Cobb did raise taxes to fund education, would it still fall under the states educational funding formula where a good portion would go to fund other districts?
@ Dee
April 1st, 2010
11:17 am
Mt. Pisgah, hands down. St. Francis claims to offer a “college prep” curriculum, but it is really just aimed at the special education population. In fact, the AP and Honor level courses they offer barely even meet the standards of the on-level courses taught at other schools. Unless your child needs a special education curriculum, St. Francis is not the right school. However, if they do need it….then they would actually be perfect.
KG
April 1st, 2010
11:19 am
This is just an April fool’s joke…….right Cobb??
Time for a change
April 1st, 2010
11:54 am
All the comments are correct in the overview of the problem.However, we as voting citizens will forget about these concerns/problems when November comes. We will not go to the Polls because we are to busy or we vote for the same people who created these problems. I forsee big changes in how we run education and goverment for our nation and state. A majority of these changes will not be accepted by the one’s who are affected. Money is the root of the problem and when there is no money everyone will suffer. Taxing for additional funds is not the only answer.It has to be an overview of the whole system,not only for Cobb County but the whole state of Georgia. The future of our education system is at a critical point.This also goes for our colleges.
Private v Public
April 1st, 2010
12:01 pm
Dee, Just know that at least a couple of kids have moved into our public Fulton schools (elementary – high) from Mt. Pisgah and had to play catch-up for honors/AP expectations. If your child is optimized by exposure to other high-ability children, look at the offerings of your local public schools. (Maybe spend your time demanding more from your local system rather than your money on an average private school…)
amazed
April 1st, 2010
12:04 pm
I LOVE JILL’S COMMENT!!!!!!! and the teacher’s comment about how they can’t even get parents to pay for field trips! I wish I would stop hearing how education is so important to them when like teacher even said they can’t even get these parents to pay for a little field trip. How true they can afford cigs, alchol, lottery tickets, new cars, vacations etc. but no, not even a field trip let alone $500 for their child’s education. YOU GET WHAT YOU GET SO DON’T PITCH A FIT!!!! EVERYTHINGS FOR FREE HEY!!!!
amazed
April 1st, 2010
12:12 pm
Dee, I know it sounds like you would love a christian school for your children as I did as well, however you might want to explore a few non-christian ones as well for challenging curriculum. The Walker School is one of the best out there and don’t let anyone tell you any differently, for it’s value and education. NO public school in the state of Georgia can hold a candle to it’s curriculum and AP classe offered. It has been around for 50 proven years! All students that have graduated have gone on to great colleges 100% and I am not just talking Georgia colleges! Keep in mind your child has to be up for the challenge though. Parents and students that have left this school to go to public has been usually because the students couldn’t keep up and need Georgia public ed. Don’t believe everything you hear. Go visit yourself. Keep in mind that one private school vs another can be very different. We were looking a few christian ones but like about comment, some not truly as challenging.
The Apple Doesn't Fall
April 1st, 2010
12:26 pm
Where and when I was raised, no one was allowed to ride the bus unless they lived further than two miles away from the school. Even then, there were bus “stops” and not every kid picked up in front of his/her house. When we lived closer than two miles, if our parents didn’t want us to walk they made arrangements to get us there. With no one willing to accept any kind of responsibility, it’s no wonder we’re in the mess we are.
Ole Guy
April 1st, 2010
1:05 pm
Johnanon, I think you’re onto something…County administrators, is anybody up to the task of thinking outside the comfortable confines of the box? Let’s put some of these prisoners to work where they can really make a difference…a task which most of us, thus far, have miserably failed.
Teacher
April 1st, 2010
1:18 pm
THIS MUST BE AN APRIL’S FOOL JOKE…..Cobb County might have to raise classroom sizes to 40 students,
GOB
April 1st, 2010
1:47 pm
I teach in one of the newer Cobb high schools (the ones with the biggest classrooms), and I can’t imagine trying to fit 8 more desks into the room. Even at 32 we are packed in pretty tight.
As some have mentioned above, I think the fire marshal might have something to say about 40 kids in some of the classrooms at the older schools. I understand that there are major budget issues, but there is only so much space in a room. Not a good plan.
Gwinnett Parent
April 1st, 2010
2:03 pm
One of the previous posters mentioned asking everyone to contribute $500. That might work. However, those who can would have to subsidize those that can’t. Buford City schools pay tuition(correct me if I am wrong). Cobb County could test the waters and try to offer a hybrid public/private school model for the k-5 crowd. See if they can get 18 parents that want to pitch in and subsidize a teacher’s salary for their child’s grade(perhaps $2k-3k a piece). All of the parents that pitch in get the same teacher. In return the students get to use the same facilities, have a smaller class size, and a teacher gets to keep his/her job. Because the funds would be private and limited, no room would be available for ESOL,special needs, or anyone with a behavioral disorder. This would cost less than sending a child to a private school(6k and up), keeps the child in the same school, reduces the amount of students in other classes,and keeps one more person off unemployment. There are a lot of parents grappling with whether or not to place their children in private school. They don’t want to take thier child away from their community of friends, stuff religion down their throats(most priv. sch are relig), have smaller facilites(libraries,gymes,playgrounds), or less qualified teachers. Also, 2-3k is a lot easier to afford than 6k. On the other hand, the parents know that when there are 40 kids in a class and 33% of them are not up to grade level, their average child is going to get cheated.
Admin Salaries
April 1st, 2010
2:04 pm
Home with a sick child who’s asleep, so decided to investigate the admin salary situation. Guess which system FAILS on this one? Fulton!
Fulton in 2008-09 had 86,380 students compared to Cobb’s 106,079, but Fulton had 219 employees with salaries greater than $100K while Cobb had only 124. The only employee in Cobb who made more than $150K was the superintendent (who made $50K less than Fulton’s new superintendent) and only ten Cobb employees made between $125K and $150K. Fulton, on the other hand, paid 10 salaries between $150K and $200K and 20 salaries between $125K and $150K.
(Fulton also paid, once again, two superintendent’s salaries – Loe $274,400 and Wilson $266K. We could keep several teachers if we just hadn’t spent the money on churning superintendents over the past 8 years….)
Oh, and Gwinnett, with 156,484 students and 128 schools, only had 214 employees paid more than $100K. (Yes, that’s 5 fewer than Fulton and they have 81% more students.)
But Fulton can ONLY find TEN employees currently employed at the central office whose positions could be eliminated and THREE of those are professional assistant positions.
Oh, and there are already two job postings on the FCSS website for NEW central office positions, which means that – net – FIVE central office administration positions will be cut as schools are being decimated.
Where is your outrage, taxpayers and parents in Fulton?