tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post8924627805201752180..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: New Birth Christian Academy to CloseCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-12202431076926147022012-01-12T23:07:20.043-05:002012-01-12T23:07:20.043-05:00In regards to the student of NBCA and the ignorant...In regards to the student of NBCA and the ignorant response from a teacher... I was a teacher at NBCA and this was probably one of my students. I love my school and my students. This school was exceptional and its closing a tragedy. Everything else is media hype.alknowinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15218883563645811963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-87165389893753924992012-01-03T20:39:49.738-05:002012-01-03T20:39:49.738-05:00Truth be told, if you agree with the opinions abov...Truth be told, if you agree with the opinions above, you would not send a child to a Catholic school either - or plenty of public schools or youth groups or sports teams. Child molesters hang out where there are children. <br /><br />The teacher is correct though, had Long been convicted in a criminal court, and had these boys been one year younger, there would be a very different story told. As it is now, Long has a big pile of money which he used to shut down those boys. Seems they're talking anyway and now Long wants his money back.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-17835029462320355712012-01-03T20:22:48.604-05:002012-01-03T20:22:48.604-05:00To the poster chastising the student. Are you ser...To the poster chastising the student. Are you serious and is that the way you teach in your alternate setting by using your personal opinions. My god you sound extremely ignorant. If a law was broken then someone would be in jail and the case would not have been in civil court but criminal. DO you ven know the difference? Did he do it? I dont Know. AM I defending him ? Heck No Would I allow my child around him NO Way. It looks real bad but to chastise that student and quote the law incorrectly makes me wonder why you are teaching anyone and then to question the students parent You really have nerve. I would HATE for you to teach my child oh Wait YOU COULD NEVER teach my child. Peace that.!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21733059815631141892012-01-03T12:58:13.862-05:002012-01-03T12:58:13.862-05:00Quoted from a New Birth Academy Student in the blo...Quoted from a New Birth Academy Student in the blog....<br /><br />"Hey. I am one of those students and almost died when I got the letter. Honestly I will miss my school. I'm hurting and can't imagine that even after this you guys still can't give him a break. I grew up at nbca and can't imagine going any where else. Im not a little kid where as I don't know what's going on but I don't care about any law suit, all I care about is my school."<br /><br />This kind of thing concerns me. I am a DCSS high school teacher. I work with young men like Anthony Flagg and the others. I have young men that come into my classroom everyday. It pains me to think that Eddie Long did that or could do that to young men. I work with this population...in an alternative setting, with young men who need mentors due to absent fathers. It sickens me that the DCSS community is not disgusted! <br /><br />I care about students. It is gross to think that DCSS houses a school on property that is leased by a child molester. And to the student above...I am concerned that your parents would allow you to stay in harms way. You do know that you are in harms way don't you. If you didn't know the law does not allow child molesters to be around or near schools or churches. Eddie Long was not convicted but he is in fact a child molester. That is why his wife is divorcing him. She knows it. We all know it. Now back to the law. If someone is a sexual predator they cannot live near schools, daycares, or churches. They are on a registry. So let me make this plain. If Eddie Long had messed with those boys just one year earlier he would be on a sexual predator registry. He could not live or preach at that church...ok. But man's law does not escape moral right...he got by on a technicality. He is a child molester and if you were my child I would not let you attend a school that is affiliated with him or even a DCSS charter school on the property. <br /><br />We cannot place our children in harms way. I ask how can you allow a sexual predator access to your children? How do you do that? I don't care if he is a bishop or the Pope! <br /><br />Our law enforcement officers and members of DCSS that attend his church you might need to ask yourself what side of the law are your on? I am a teacher and I am outraged that the student demographic that I teach has been the target of Eddie Long's wrong. <br /><br />And to the student who wrote that...Trust God! God is making the truth come to the light...and protecting his children...believe it. As they say "God takes care of babies and fools"<br /><br />Peace, concerned teacher (I speak for the young ones)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-4385141030677676472012-01-02T22:54:35.308-05:002012-01-02T22:54:35.308-05:00Hey. I am one of those students and almost died wh...Hey. I am one of those students and almost died when I got the letter. Honestly I will miss my school. I'm hurting and can't imagine that even after this you guys still can't give him a break. I grew up at nbca and can't imagine going any where else. Im not a little kid where as I don't know what's going on but I don't care about any law suit, all I care about is my school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-88843584419219764332011-12-30T08:18:33.753-05:002011-12-30T08:18:33.753-05:00Anon 1:51 -
I believe I gave the wrong impression...Anon 1:51 -<br /><br />I believe I gave the wrong impression. I did not mean to imply that it was easy for charters to get a building from DCSS and they were at fault for not doing so. Rather, it is the foot-dragging and stonewalling of the school district that makes it so difficult. This despite the fact that districts are supposed to make those closed school buildings available for district-chartered schools as a matter of course (never could understand how DCSS got away with not doing this).<br /><br /> I know ICS wanted to use a closed DCSS school building in the first place, and ended up at the churches for the reasons you described. I do not blame the charter committees, rather I blame the DCSS "sit-up- here" group. Perhaps it works for them because it makes them look as if they are open-minded about approving charters while simultaneously making it extremely difficult to actually get one going...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-61914811373380050102011-12-30T07:09:43.352-05:002011-12-30T07:09:43.352-05:00The system ought to be selling these charters thos...The system ought to be selling these charters those buildings, but like hoarders, the BoEd can't seem to let go.<br /><br />The charters will struggle to raise renovation money because they are tenants not owners.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7481159158619180472011-12-30T06:09:54.596-05:002011-12-30T06:09:54.596-05:00I guess this is just part of the fallout from Bish...I guess this is just part of the fallout from Bishop Eddie Sandusky leaving. Oops, excuse me, that's Bishop Eddie Long (not quite sure how I got the name Sandusky confused with Long.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-6637200415456764462011-12-30T01:51:59.546-05:002011-12-30T01:51:59.546-05:00Thats all well and good but here is some education...Thats all well and good but here is some education for all you know it alls. To get a charter aproved you have to have a place, LOCATION SIGNED lease, title or deed in hand or on file with your application and since the school system does not readily want to give charters the empty buldings guess what, Churches are the next option. Almost every charter school starts out in a church , I wonder why???? HMMMM well its because the greedy School board does not want charters, They dont want to lose the money that the students will take from their budget so instead of making location a non issue by using the empty school buildings as you all are so quick to suggest, they come up with excuses. My advice to all the people who want to uproot the school with no options for location is contact your school board member and have them free up the Empty decaying buildings at a reasonable cost, so that LPA and the other charter schools who have been in churches long before LPA can find a cheaper alternative for rent!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-77251372043297915312011-12-29T22:48:10.911-05:002011-12-29T22:48:10.911-05:00Anon 10:26 -
When DCSS closed Forest Hills Elemen...Anon 10:26 -<br /><br />When DCSS closed Forest Hills Elementary, the International Community School (a charter) requested to lease the building, stating it would be less expensive than their current arrangement (leasing space from two churches). DCSS dragged its feet for several years, saying the Forest Hills building <i>might</i> be needed for <i>something</i>.<br /><br />ICS was finally granted the lease of the Medlock Elementary building. ICS has stated that even with the money they will be spending to renovate, the lower lease and the ability to combine their schools will save them money. Because the school system charges a nominal leasing fee, the charter needs only to spend money on the expenses of running the school. This arrangement is usually cheaper.<br /><br />DCSS has several unoccupied school buildings that are currently deteriorating because of disuse. It would seem to me that in the long run, keeping them occupied and maintained would save the district money, too.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43809294949449301742011-12-29T22:26:38.333-05:002011-12-29T22:26:38.333-05:00I think the tithing percent is at least 10% and th...I think the tithing percent is at least 10% and the salaries have been drastically inflated over the past 5 years so the numbers are much higher than December 29, 2011 11:50 AM has indicated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-31778449412628717522011-12-29T22:26:21.326-05:002011-12-29T22:26:21.326-05:00One more thing since you guys are so well versed o...One more thing since you guys are so well versed on where the school should be housed how about YOU suggesting a school building that is available for the school to use and all the particulars about getting the school transferred there?? Make sure the expenses are less than the current which includes utilities, maintenance security, indoor gym, Library facilities playground and location central to the current students. I am sure the administrator an PTA would appreciate any suggestions on saving money so the Students can benefit. Instead of being a part of the problem how about being a part of the solution. Suggestions please?????Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11851136627405419142011-12-29T22:18:38.746-05:002011-12-29T22:18:38.746-05:00Looks like things are heating up!!
http://www.a...Looks like things are heating up!! <br /><br />http://www.ajc.com/news/dekalb/panel-recommends-special-grand-1280639.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90479206313877250362011-12-29T22:16:42.040-05:002011-12-29T22:16:42.040-05:00Maybe the School board needs to look at the way th...Maybe the School board needs to look at the way the charter school budgets their money and take some lessons. Considering the charter school receives 75% of what a traditional public school does per child,and has less students than a traditional public school. Charters have no school buses but can still pay rent,have computers in the classrooms, Have the newest technology available to the teachers in the classrooms , Has a gifted teacher on site full time, has paras in the classrooms, Have a fulltime Phys ed teacher, music teacher, art teacher and offer tons of extracurriculars including FREE tutoring to ALL the students who are interested. I dont think you concerned citizens have to worry about where your tax dollars are going. Its very obvious that its going to the STUDENTS. And besides I think the parents tax dollars are covering the school, since the majority are two parent professionals who pay quite a bit of taxes in Dekalb County. But if you are so concerned how about advocating for charters to receive the same amount of money per student and bus service or go over and help out by volunteering your time and money. Thats what Parents of kids in charter schools do everyday to make up the difference in the budget. Until then You really need to stop whining.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-32558252227125277322011-12-29T11:50:32.361-05:002011-12-29T11:50:32.361-05:00And sadder yet...take the tithing percentage of al...And sadder yet...take the tithing percentage of all of the DCSS "F and F" employees who are paid with our tax money and are members of NBBC!<br /><br />For argument's sake, let's set the tithe percentage at 5%<br /><br />Set the average DCSS "F and F"<br />employee wage at $100,000<br /><br />Conservatively set the DCSS/NBBC<br />members to 50 and let's see how much the taxpayers have also chipped in via the collection plate:<br /><br />5% x 100,000 = $5000 per DCSS church member<br /><br />$5000 x 50 = A cool quarter of a million dollars per year!<br /><br />Shazam! There is, or at least there was a money well until the recent scandal(s). Will be interesting for Bishop Long to see who his real friends are!<br /><br />Good luck with that!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25221583422833503672011-12-29T11:20:02.066-05:002011-12-29T11:20:02.066-05:00Wait... so tax dollars ended up in the pocket of p...Wait... so tax dollars ended up in the pocket of pedo-man and nobody is upset about that? WOW.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-21603551077965929352011-12-29T09:37:26.621-05:002011-12-29T09:37:26.621-05:00All that said, you are absolutely correct at your ...All that said, you are absolutely correct at your basic point, Anon. These are tax dollars, whether local, state or federal and one has to wonder if it's prudent to spend it on rent at a religious establishment. This happens all the time though - we pay a lot of rent to churches for charter schools. We've said for quite a while that this is a slippery slope - and offers a big risk for "co-mingling" of public funds with a religious institution's funds.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-46215447027611172982011-12-29T09:34:19.024-05:002011-12-29T09:34:19.024-05:00FWIW, I don't think DCSS pays this rent direct...FWIW, I don't think DCSS pays this rent directly. I "think" that the way it works is that the charter school earns a budget (an FTE amount from the state, plus federal money that applies according to student needs). The charter school then decides how to spend their budget. I do "think" (again, I'm not sure, so if someone is sure, please chime in) that the public school system has to offer a vacant building to a charter if requested. Thus, DCSS finally offered the International Community School (a charter) the recently closed Medlock Elementary. IF the Leadership Academy chooses to spend over $100,000 on rent to New Birth, that is their budgetary decision, not the school board's.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82302820497136534672011-12-29T09:06:31.571-05:002011-12-29T09:06:31.571-05:00Why 'O Why are we (Dekalb Taxpayers) paying $1...Why 'O Why are we (Dekalb Taxpayers) paying $10,000 per month for rent for a school housed in the New Birth Church when there are vacant school properties sitting idle. This is outrageous!! or am I not understanding the situation? We absolutely can not continue nonsense like this.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-22758196419739219902011-12-29T00:35:17.199-05:002011-12-29T00:35:17.199-05:00What you people dont know is that Newbirth gave Sc...What you people dont know is that Newbirth gave Scholarships to many of the kids attending the school from donations and sponsorships. So out of the 212 students about 50 were on scholarship transferring from the wonderful public schools in the area. With the membership dropping thus donations to the school dropping and paying students leaving because of all the scandal, The school had to go under. It really has nothing to do with the Charter School. Its too bad for the children that this had to happen in the middle of te school year. Its sad to ead comments of people celebrating because kids are being displaced in the middle of the school year. That is just pathetic and sounds like jealousy !Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33791518633006118692011-12-28T22:58:47.314-05:002011-12-28T22:58:47.314-05:00From the AJC =
"Tuition at the school ranged...From the AJC =<br /><br /><i>"Tuition at the school ranged from $5,253 for New Birth members to $6,198 for non-members with more than $1,000 in non-refundable fees, according to the academy's website.<br /><br />Donald said staff will help students find a new school to attend. Students in grades K-5 may not have to travel far, however, as the DeKalb County School System leases space from New Birth for a charter school, Leadership Preparatory Academy.<br /><br />The district pays more than $10,000 per month in rent to New Birth covering maintenance, security and insurance costs, according to a lease."</i><br /><br />So Key Point Here: The tuition for these students is almost identical to what the Leadership Charter is paid by the state per student. Could this be a simple transfer of fiscal responsibility?Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41771980385891454692011-12-28T22:11:11.371-05:002011-12-28T22:11:11.371-05:00I thought a complete audit would include asking ev...I thought a complete audit would include asking every employee about their resposibilities and duties. As an employee of DCSS,I haven't been asked to provide anything. If every employee and every job isn't a part of the audit process, then it won't be complete will it?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73399574392927455962011-12-28T21:48:49.078-05:002011-12-28T21:48:49.078-05:00From the AJC:
New Birth academy closes; hundreds ...From the AJC:<br /><br />New Birth academy closes; hundreds of students looking for new school<br /><br />http://tinyurl.com/chcr46qAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83246320675317788232011-12-28T21:43:46.339-05:002011-12-28T21:43:46.339-05:00Let's hope that Dr. Atkinson will make the cha...Let's hope that Dr. Atkinson will make the changes with the principals. They are members of the family, frat, and sorority plan and create confusion because grown ups will not bow down to them especially the female soror principals who were placed in these positions by Calloway, Berry, White, and CLEW.<br />Teachers, beware, you are going to be black balled for speaking up at the fireside chat. Principals sent in their sorors, spies, and others who are dying for administrative roles to share comments that were voiced. Princpals stick together and call each other with lies about teachers who they donot like.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16601153039497911162011-12-28T21:36:05.930-05:002011-12-28T21:36:05.930-05:00From the AJC:
New Birth academy closes; hundreds ...From the AJC:<br /><br />New Birth academy closes; hundreds of students looking for new school<br /><br />http://tinyurl.com/cpvddaxAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com