State rep cautions Cobb board: “I do not want my colleagues in Atlanta telling us how to educate our children and run our board.”

Cobb House member David Wilkerson (State Legislature)

State Rep. David Wilkerson, D-Austell, shared an e-mail that he sent to the Cobb County Board of Education.

With his permission, I am posting it here:

Dear Board Members,

Good evening. I have had the opportunity to interact with each of you in one way or another over the last several years.  Several months ago, I made a decision to stay out of the recent calendar issue.  However, at this point I am concerned as a parent, a taxpayer, and a legislator.

I am concerned because my children attend our Cobb schools and this continued bickering does nothing for academic achievement from what I can see.  I am concerned because the Legislature has already shown a willingness to try and solve local issues when local boards have the appearance of not being able to solve their own challenges. I do not want my colleagues in Atlanta telling us how to educate our children and run our board.

We have a great opportunity with the hiring of a new superintendent.  I believe Sanderson has done a good job managing the district and I enjoyed my interactions with him through my volunteer efforts on the Cobb Schools Foundation and other discussions we have had. I see how the teachers speak very highly of him and his team.  At the same time, a fresh start and new perspective can be a very positive thing.  I encourage the board to take advantage of that new beginning.

I believe each of you made a commitment to our children when you ran for office.  I encourage you to continue to focus on educating our future leaders. As far as the calendar. No matter what day my children are told to go to school, they will get up and go to school.  Kids are flexible and adjust.  Is this debate about our children, academic achievement, or is it about something else?

I thank you for your time and look forward to a continued discussion on how we can best move past our current issues. Please feel free to let me know how I can be of assistance.

David Wilkerson

–From Maureen Downey, for the AJC Get Schooled blog