tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post5894965793960231929..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: How Much Should DeKalb Schools be Spending for Security?Cerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger66125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89375623183800668412012-01-19T01:31:47.145-05:002012-01-19T01:31:47.145-05:00We have employees at the sam moss center with no h...We have employees at the sam moss center with no high school education that make more money than teachers. The computer person out there has back yard training and she is making over fifty. She spends most of her time playing games on the computer. That entire center is a joke.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43999817294687481432012-01-18T17:50:31.228-05:002012-01-18T17:50:31.228-05:00Just before his suspension and subsequent arrest, ...Just before his suspension and subsequent arrest, CL was asked, directly, at a Auxillary Forum why the system had two police chiefs and so many officers/staff making $50K or more annually. It was also pointed out to him that the two chiefs were being paid $107K a year. He stated that the information was wrong and implied what is printed in the newspapers is not always correct. He was heartily seconded by his ever present lap dog (R.M.)who repeated his master's...er...boss's claim.<br /><br />We have had extremely expensive and valuable equipment annd materials stolen from our school and many other. Yet SELDOM is anyone arrested and rarely do you read about the thefts in the media. What is going on?<br /><br />As a DCSS employee I am pissed that these officers are paid at a rate that is absurdly out of line. We have cafeteria workers, bus drivers, and papraprofessionals working long hard hours, in direct and supportive contact with students, living at wages below federal poverty levels. Yet we pay these people, police officers and Campus Supervisors, for what is essentially a seasonal position.<br /><br />Yes, we have many problems that mirror conditions we see in our society everywhere. Yes, we have incidents of fighting, drugs, and other "crap" but the persons typically to first respond, be aware of, or be a victim are the classroom professionals armed only with a pen and a book. <br /><br />Instead of outsourcing building maintenace, although it appears there also needs to be a reduction in force, we should contract the County law enforcement agancies. They are better prepared to evaluate local security concerns and investigate crimal activity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-87423405409061354242012-01-17T21:53:33.731-05:002012-01-17T21:53:33.731-05:00The board meeting at SACS is a public meeting. You...The board meeting at SACS is a public meeting. You are entitled to observe. It is not a closed session. I would encourage anyone who can to please attend. Then file a report on this blog. Send it to <br />reparteeforfun@gmail.com<br /><br />Here's the SACS info (you may want to go just to see the opulence they spend (mostly) tax dollars on.<br /><br /><br />Mark Elgart, SACS President<br /><br />AdvancED (SACS/Casi)<br />9115 Westside Parkway<br />Alpharetta, GA 30009<br /><br />Telephone: (888) 413-3669Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-44741237592371590712012-01-17T21:49:28.843-05:002012-01-17T21:49:28.843-05:00"The DeKalb Board of Education will hold a Re..."The DeKalb Board of Education will hold a Retreat with the Superintendent and Senior Staff at the AdvancEd SACS Headquarters in Alpharetta, "<br /><br />Interesting article on Maureen Downey's blog - Get Schooled. James Wilson, former Cobb superintendent and a subcontractor of SACS is caught on tape threatening Kathleen Mathers regarding the Dougherty cheating scandal:<br /><br />http://blogs.ajc.com/get-schooled-blog/2012/01/17/former-fulton-and-cobb-school-chief-to-state-official-who-uncovered-crct-cheating-youll-pay-dearly-for-it/Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-34019036801946608612012-01-17T17:40:42.127-05:002012-01-17T17:40:42.127-05:00I don’t understand why ANYone in the DeKalb School...I don’t understand why ANYone in the DeKalb School System’s security department should be making over $100k.<br />As a point of reference, the Police department in the City of John’s Creek has an annual budget of $9.4 million. Don’t know how many officers, but this is for a complete department – personnel, cars, motorcycles, guns, radios, dogs – providing REAL police protection 24/7, 365, for a population of 76k residents. They have detectives that actually solve crimes and, oh, they seem to get by with only one chief.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82667675259571388792012-01-17T15:57:38.389-05:002012-01-17T15:57:38.389-05:00"I have always wanted to have 18,000 a yer re..."I have always wanted to have 18,000 a yer rent a cops protecting my students"<br /><br />Without knowing the context of these personnel costs, that statement is not logical. My understanding is that many of these personnel are part time and are regular police officers.<br /><br />Having a report of the number of incidents, severity of incidents, etc. is also important. DCSS has had many thefts, particularly in the computer area. Very highly paid detectives are in charge of investigating these these equipment thefts (they certainly would not be in charge of any physical offense of a student - that would be the DeKalb Police Department's venue). Yet the DeKalb Security officers have made no progress. <br /><br />As a parent, I would like to see an efficient, cost effective Security force - but then I want to see every department efficient and cost effective so the money can be spent in the classrooms. Currently, DCSS has some the of highest taxes in the state and the lowest student achievement as well. <br /><br />All cost centers need to be looked at - including magnet programs and stand alone centers like the Fernbank Science Center.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-45590143936835948362012-01-17T15:33:14.225-05:002012-01-17T15:33:14.225-05:00I have always wanted to have 18,000 a yer rent a c...I have always wanted to have 18,000 a yer rent a cops protecting my students.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-2148336246339454252012-01-17T13:04:33.606-05:002012-01-17T13:04:33.606-05:00If someone can go and will commit to a report, sen...If someone can go and will commit to a report, send me an email at <br />reparteeforfun@gmail.com<br /><br />We will post your report for you if you wish to remain anonymous.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64172024794409804502012-01-17T12:48:33.147-05:002012-01-17T12:48:33.147-05:00So wish that I had a babysitter for tomorrow after...So wish that I had a babysitter for tomorrow afternoon, as I would love to go to that meeting, although I am not sure if I could keep a closed mouth. I sure hope that someone is able to attend and report back.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-80736780023356095742012-01-17T12:17:07.156-05:002012-01-17T12:17:07.156-05:00ok - so who wants to attend this meeting and write...ok - so who wants to attend this meeting and write up a report? <br /><br />January 17, 2012<br /><br />NOTICE OF DEKALB BOARD OF EDUCATION RETREAT:<br /><br />The DeKalb Board of Education will hold a Retreat with the Superintendent and Senior Staff at the AdvancEd SACS Headquarters in Alpharetta, 12:00noon - 3:00pm, Wednesday, <br />January 18, 2012. <br /><br />The purpose of the Retreat is for<br />Superintendent updates and Board issues\discussions.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-27598094797532975762012-01-17T10:28:12.449-05:002012-01-17T10:28:12.449-05:00@Anon 9:57 PM on the 16th
"No one wants to g...@Anon 9:57 PM on the 16th<br /><br />"No one wants to get rid of the SROs but why does DCSS spend $10,000,000 for 204 of these personnel when we have less than 50 middle and high schools? "<br /><br />The powers that be run both DCSS and DK County with 20% MORE people than neighboring counties. This is designed to put more people on the payroll with good pensions and with you know who paying for them. Ability of employees and efficient operation are not considered.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-51438596535812628892012-01-17T00:36:02.279-05:002012-01-17T00:36:02.279-05:00@ Anonymous 11:33
Teachers should have a part in ...@ Anonymous 11:33<br /><br />Teachers should have a part in the evaluation of every position that supports the classroom. Teachers are unique in that they are the only employees that are members of the classroom. The evaluations for these employees do not have to be long and involved. A simple survey will do. If all employees who serve the classroom from HVAC to Security to Technology Specialists to Coaches, etc. knew part of their evaluation was how much value they brought to the classroom then they would be encouraged to give good customer service. The classroom members - the teacher and her students are the ONLY reason that all support employees have their jobs. <br /><br />For optimal student achievement the heating and air needs to work well, the floors and bathrooms need to be clean, the Security Officer needs to be visible and available for disruptive students, lunches need to be nutritious, the technology needs to work how and when it is needed, etc. Teachers know if these things are happening for their children or not. Too often principals do not want to make waves. When the technology doesn't work (often) and teachers go to the principal, nothing is done The room may be dirty and the bathrooms unusable and stinking, but the principal does not want to press the Central office. The air may not come on in August and the heat may not come on in the winter - so the children are trying to learn as they sweat or freeze. <br /><br />Who is harmed by this poor customer service - the students of course. The only person who shares their environment is the teacher. This is the only person who cares the most. Absolutely, the teacher should be evaluating the personnel who are supposed to be providing excellent customer service to the students and all too often do not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-58337174743080223302012-01-16T23:33:03.536-05:002012-01-16T23:33:03.536-05:00Response to earlier post
What makes teachers qual...Response to earlier post<br /><br />What makes teachers qualified to evaluate SROs? Wouldn't it all be subjective?<br /> Why can't teachers then help to evaluate cafe staff or custodians?<br /><br />Please, teachers have enough to do already out of their realm of expertise. <br />Just curious.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77327432676811035602012-01-16T22:02:25.290-05:002012-01-16T22:02:25.290-05:00"The County will never go broke as long as it..."The County will never go broke as long as it can raise taxes on the District 1 and 2 homes that are still assessed at or close to their peak 2007 values"<br /><br />I've appealed my tax assessment as has everyone else on my street who has not seen a decrease in assessment. It's getting harder and harder to keep the assessments up when property values are falling. Foreclosures are affecting property values in all districts and state laws are forcing assessments down. People are starting to do their homework now that property taxes are getting so high.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-70666954799531533222012-01-16T21:57:03.637-05:002012-01-16T21:57:03.637-05:00No one wants to get rid of the SROs but why does D...No one wants to get rid of the SROs but why does DCSS spend $10,000,000 for 204 of these personnel when we have less than 50 middle and high schools? I say contact the out and give teachers a sayin evaluating their effectiveness.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-67728293528381863072012-01-16T21:49:42.657-05:002012-01-16T21:49:42.657-05:00Contracted or not, keep our SROs. The only questio...Contracted or not, keep our SROs. The only question I have is why does my school have a bomb sniffing dog? We need a DRUG sniffing dog!!!!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24641430768371956122012-01-16T21:43:18.469-05:002012-01-16T21:43:18.469-05:00We need SROs in the schoolhouse. Security cannot t...We need SROs in the schoolhouse. Security cannot touch the children and are ineffective in tense situations. They are often heard calling for the SRO for assistance. Teachers and students feel safer knowing a police officer is there with real arrest powers. We have heard about so many dangerous and deadly situations in schools. Sadly we need the cops there. We also need them in summer school where 3 or more schools are in one building creating a sometimes tense situation. Being a female educator, the students are bigger and meaner and are often not properly medicated with severe anger and behavior issues. I feel safer with the SRO there. Public schools with an open door policy can unfortunately be an opportunity for an unsafe situation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-54005575837318712012012-01-16T21:39:44.572-05:002012-01-16T21:39:44.572-05:00At Anon 3:03 PM
The County will never go broke as...At Anon 3:03 PM<br /><br />The County will never go broke as long as it can raise taxes on the District 1 and 2 homes that are still assessed at or close to their peak 2007 values. The 4.5 mil County tax rate increase was felt mainly by Dist 1 and 2 taxpayers. Dist 3, 4 and 5 values have decreased 30 -50%. Therefore, even with the 4.5 mil tax increase, they are still paying about the same amount of County tax dollars as in 2007.<br /><br />District 2 Commissioner Rader is all in favor of putting (sticking)it to his constituents. He proposed the 4.5 mil increase. Super Commissioner Gannon, who has both Districts 1 and 2 as her territory, went along with Rader. Neither one ever really tries to reduce the County budget. They talk a lot , but it is just smoke. Both are trying to block Brookhaven from incorporating and becoming more efficient, like Dunwoody. Dunwoody got hit with only 2.6 of the 4.5 mil increase.<br /><br />DCSS can raise taxes only by 1.2 mils more to reach the statutory limit (either 28 or 29 mils). It already has the first or second highest school tax rate in the Metro area. I think that the State legislature has to act to increase the limit. Any DSCC tax increase real dollar effect also would be felt mainly by District 1 and 2 school tax payers.(not Mr Womack lol) Dr Walker is all in favor of raising school taxes.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78817986067247466482012-01-16T19:55:45.796-05:002012-01-16T19:55:45.796-05:00@ Anonymous 7:30
Why would that make any differenc...@ Anonymous 7:30<br />Why would that make any difference? Decatur City Schools contracts their transportation from the DeKalb County School System. Those logistics already have a precedent.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28095461699379186532012-01-16T19:30:27.183-05:002012-01-16T19:30:27.183-05:00Speaking hypothetically here...but I'm not sur...Speaking hypothetically here...but I'm not sure that Rockdale and Forsyth have as many incorporated cities within their county boundaries as does DeKalb. Under the idea of utilizing DeKalb officers for the schools...would DeKalb officers be dispatched to the schools in Dunwoody, Chamblee, Avondale Estates, Stone Mountain? I know Dunwoody and Chamblee employ their own police departments...so how would that work?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-88186256409183951442012-01-16T18:04:17.658-05:002012-01-16T18:04:17.658-05:00@4:42 PM - I too was a crossing guard in 6th grade...@4:42 PM - I too was a crossing guard in 6th grade! I'm not going to tell you the year though...Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-39020807681565169492012-01-16T17:38:30.882-05:002012-01-16T17:38:30.882-05:00Forsyth County Schoolsnewish 36,000 students has o...Forsyth County Schoolsnewish 36,000 students has one of the most efficient and economical school systems in Georgia. Forsyth Schools has their Security Resource Officers under the Forsyth Sheriff's Department:<br /><br />"The Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Unit is under the Command of the Special Operations Division. The SRO Unit consists of 7 Deputies and one Sergeant (Supervisor). The SRO Unit has a very valuable partnership with the Forsyth County School System. The SRO Unit Deputies help protect the 34,000+ students and staff within 31 school campuses. The SRO deputies provide direct service to the schools which include campus safety inspections, classroom presentations, criminal investigations, student and parent conferences, along with a variety of other activities including the traditional law enforcement duties."<br /><br />http://www.forsythsheriff.org/school-resource-officersAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48912551073302405202012-01-16T17:18:40.538-05:002012-01-16T17:18:40.538-05:00Well, this is interesting. Lorain City Schools, t...Well, this is interesting. Lorain City Schools, the system Dr. Atkinson just left to come the DeKalb, is outsourcing its school officer program.<br />"Items such as outsourcing the safety officer program and closing one building were approved with conditions."<br /><br />http://www.morningjournal.com/articles/2012/01/12/news/mj5564158.txt?viewmode=2<br /><br />Could our BOE even be objective about considering this as a busgetary measure when the chair of the BOE has a son employed as an SRO? <br /><br />Maybe that's why Walkeris suddenly talking about accountability and scores with respect to Dr. Atkinson. He NEVER once talked about accountability for Lewis or Tyson with respect to student achievement.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-1433842652051751872012-01-16T16:42:28.339-05:002012-01-16T16:42:28.339-05:00I remember the prehistoric 1940s in my integrated ...I remember the prehistoric 1940s in my integrated school in Southern New Jersey (Camden) when I was (then in 6th grade) given a white belt and the awesome responsibility of being a school crossing guard. A great honor. <br />I guess that I was being exploited since there was no pay. Oh the inhumanity of it all! How did I survive? Maybe that is why I feel so exploitedAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-26528728189870408832012-01-16T15:03:05.144-05:002012-01-16T15:03:05.144-05:00The county is broke. The school system has the mo...The county is broke. The school system has the money. Over 60% of your property tax bill goes to the school system. Think about it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com