tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post3830844082844520341..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: Dr. Atkinson made her public debut this morningCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-15251637051979505662011-08-29T22:47:45.723-04:002011-08-29T22:47:45.723-04:00Think You're An Auditory Or Visual Learner? Sc...Think You're An Auditory Or Visual Learner? Scientists Say It's Unlikely.<br /><br />http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/08/29/139973743/think-youre-an-auditory-or-visual-learner-scientists-say-its-unlikelyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89083227222665560172011-08-29T11:55:12.465-04:002011-08-29T11:55:12.465-04:00September is along time to hold your breath anyway...September is along time to hold your breath anyway. When it happens maybe you willgraciously apologize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-82123395171686843982011-08-29T10:39:09.690-04:002011-08-29T10:39:09.690-04:00ok. thanks anon. However, I will not hold my brea...ok. thanks anon. However, I will not hold my breath.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91404787257642338102011-08-29T09:47:46.290-04:002011-08-29T09:47:46.290-04:00Promise Amended-The delay in hiring the superinten...Promise Amended-The delay in hiring the superintendent delayed the bid process for the salary survey. Tyson's last day as interim was to coincide with the development of the RFP and that was to be earlier than now. No one wanted the salary survey to be overseen by the interim-it would only make for controversy and criticism. In Tyson’s defense when she announced the schedule she could not have known that there would be two serious delays in hiring. Still it is well that we wait-many of those who post to this blog would not trust a salary survey unless it was under a new superintendent.<br /><br />The RFP is now in development in anticipation that the new superintendent will oversee its implementation. Amend the proposed calendar with RFP announced in September.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33481614306140438532011-08-29T05:50:51.580-04:002011-08-29T05:50:51.580-04:00@ Anonymous 8:15 pm
What do see in the future? A...@ Anonymous 8:15 pm<br /><br />What do see in the future? A single party Republican dictatorship? Even more specific, an all-white, Christian, Republican dictatorship? The death of public education, and the rise of a Christian fundamentalist curriculum mandate? Is that what you want?<br /><br />Rick Perry as President? I almost spewed my breakfast reading that one.<br /><br />We don't hold the same hand of fortune-telling cards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-83498539822154968072011-08-28T23:33:39.760-04:002011-08-28T23:33:39.760-04:00I would like to see us start thinking about our ho...I would like to see us start thinking about our homogeneity in terms of those of us who want kids to be pushed and challenged and made ready for the real world, and don't want to put up with lax rules that allow discipline problems and disruption rather than in terms of where we live or what ethnicity we are. <br /><br />I have spoken to way too many people in this county to buy that certain attitudes and expectations go with certain addresses or skin hue. We need to consciously look for opportunities to build coalition, because that's what it's going to take to change things.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-42273410062842650722011-08-28T23:27:29.627-04:002011-08-28T23:27:29.627-04:00Cere -
The information I have was deemed "no...Cere -<br /><br />The information I have was deemed "not for publicizing" because it is not available to the public (although I don't know why). I <i>is</i> from a reliable source.<br /><br />The districts I am talking about are <b>County Commission</b> districts, not school districts, and the figures include both residential and commercial real estate tax figures. <br /><br />Nonetheless, these are county taxes, 70% of which goes to DCSS. <br /><br />This is not a slam at residents of any other area of the county - real estate values have taken a hit more in some places than others, and you live where you live. It is just a statement of where the majority of tax funding for the county comes from.Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-33888316967240739402011-08-28T22:23:14.042-04:002011-08-28T22:23:14.042-04:00@ SHS
There are many "safety valves"...@ SHS <br /> <br />There are many "safety valves" established in north DeKalb. I know quite a few parents in my affluent neighborhood who have their children in special DCSS programs and magnet schools. They feel their children's needs are being served so they are very satisfied. These are parents who would be very vocal and tremendous agents for change if their child was forced to stay in the general population of the regular education schools. DCSS troubles in the north do not amount to much to them since their children are settled in special programs and schools.<br /><br />The DCSS administration under Lewis and the "Lewis group" has long used a divide and conquer strategy. Only when parents from all over DeKalb come together for change will change happen.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-71392391883947672202011-08-28T22:08:45.043-04:002011-08-28T22:08:45.043-04:00@ Anonymous 9:09
"Title I funding can be use...@ Anonymous 9:09<br /><br />"Title I funding can be used to hire teachers and it is done in DeKalb.'<br /><br />You are correct. Except MOST of Title 1 funding does not go to hiring teachers and directly instructing students. Most Title 1 and federal funding goes to non-teaching personnel and scripted learning programs. Consider that around $37,000,000 a year comes into DCSS from Title 1 (federal funding comprises over $100,000,000 a year, but Title 1 is around $37,000,000):<br />http://www.doe.k12.ga.us/ReportingFW.aspx?PageReq=104&CountyId=644&T=1&FY=2010 <br /><br />Approximately $10,000,000 is spent on close to 100 non-teaching Instructional Coaches. <br /><br />Another 6 or 7 millions is spent on the scripted learning program America's Choice. <br /><br />Another 4 to 5 million is spent on the non-teaching administrative personnel who directly report to Audria Berry in the Office of School Improvement.<br /><br />Another 3 to 4 million is spent on the non-teaching (also non-certified) personnel in the Parent Centers<br /><br />These non-teaching groups alone account for around close to $23,000,000 out of that $37,000,000. <br /><br />So yes - some money goes to directly instructing students, but the lion's share does not.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-55072859479889361012011-08-28T22:05:58.550-04:002011-08-28T22:05:58.550-04:00@ Anonymous, 8:41 PM
I am not blaming just a sing...@ Anonymous, 8:41 PM<br /><br />I am not blaming just a single voter in South DeKalb. I am blaming ALL of the voters in South DeKalb -- those who vote for the sorry trash who make up the majority of the BOE and those who don't bother to vote.<br /><br />You are right. I have been a tireless worker for DeKalb's students. I have taken on major projects, faced down major opposition from DCSS and managed to prevail. But, I have not done it alone. I simply am good at running meetings and organizing projects. <br /><br />However, the travesty that is the DCSS BOE and the debacle of the superintendent selection have brought me to the end of my rope.<br /><br />When I pay my nearly $8,000 in property taxes this year, it will renew my determination to wrest those funds out of the grasping hands of the trash who sit on the BOE, the New Birth Mafia and the thugs, thieves and overpaid incompetents who make up the majority of the Palace People. They could care less about DeKalb's children -- as long as they get theirs.<br /><br />I can't make a difference in South DeKalb. They are too far gone and there are too few in South DeKalb who care enough or are willing enough to do the hard work. Not as long as they can just ship their kids up to North DeKalb schools, tax-free and tuition-free. <br /><br />Do not misunderstand. This has nothing to do with color. Those kids are welcome in North DeKalb Schools -- as long as their parents move to the North DeKalb attendance area where they want their children to attend school <b><i>and</i></b> pay the taxes that those of us who already live here pay. <br /><br />That said, I know I can make a difference in North DeKalb. I have tackled tougher projects and have been successful. I plan to do it one more time. As my North DeKalb neighbors write out their checks for property tax, I hope they will join me. Enough is enough: the time is now.SHSnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11933941029685642912011-08-28T21:42:10.757-04:002011-08-28T21:42:10.757-04:00DCSS has been masterful in giving vocal parents in...<i>DCSS has been masterful in giving vocal parents in both north and south DeKalb enough options to silence their voices, and the administration has more at stake to silence south DeKalb parents than north DeKalb.</i><br /><br />That right there hits the nail on the head.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7172918580117343522011-08-28T21:09:03.763-04:002011-08-28T21:09:03.763-04:00Title I funding can be used to hire teachers and i...Title I funding can be used to hire teachers and it is done in DeKalb.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-76712367006259209112011-08-28T20:41:56.726-04:002011-08-28T20:41:56.726-04:00@ SHS
"It is extremely fair -- and entirely w...@ SHS<br />"It is extremely fair -- and entirely well-deserved -- to blame parents for simply shipping their children off to North DeKalb schools -- overcrowding them -- instead of working to make their neighborhood schools better. .....It is way past time for parents in South DeKalb to take responsibility for their schools."<br /><br />Well, a south DeKalb voter only has one vote. You cannot blame a single voter for the collective votes of a district. You have been a tireless worker for DeKalb students. You must realize how difficult it is to make any changes in the local school within the confines the DeKalb Schools upper administration has created. The Central Office is a power center that controls a billion dollars a year, spent/spend tens of millions on lawyers annually, and have layers upon layers of administration for citizens ALL OVER DeKalb to plow through to effect change. <br /><br />There are many dedicated parents in south DeKalb. They are up against a Central Office machine that depends on Title 1 (and other federal) funds for the majority of discretionary funding. Most Title 1 funds come from the concentration of low income students in south DeKalb so maintaining control in south DeKalb is infinitely more important that maintaining control in north DeKalb. <br /><br />Non-Title 1 schools have legal control of their PTA funding - the only discretionary funding for most non-Title 1 schools - and well out of the grasp of the DCSS administration. Title 1 funding is often the only (or the lion's share) of discretionary funding for the Title 1 schools - and completely within the grasp of the DCSS administration. How would they fund all of those non-teaching personnel without Title 1 funds? <br /><br />Let's not forget that a disproportionate amount of Gifted money (66% override in per pupil spending) flows to schools in north DeKalb. Austin, Vanderlyn, Fernbank, and Oak Grove (just to name a few northern DeKalb schools) hire numerous extra grade level teachers with gifted funds resulting in lower class sizes for all students. Gifted funding is state funding that follows the students, is spent within the schoolhouse, and is not able to be used for the multitude of non-teaching expenditures that Title 1 and federal funds can be used for. <br /><br />With over 10,000 (10% of all students) classified as Gifted, this is an enormous amount of per pupil funding - much if not most of it flowing to a small number of schools (mostly north DeKalb), and virtually ALL of it spent for teachers that directly instruct students (QUITE the opposite of Title 1 funding). <br /><br />Another result of the skewing of gifted funding is that many gifted students in south DeKalb in schools with low numbers of students classified as gifted have virtually no gifted services. <br /><br />Trying to force all students to stay in their local schools will not work in the current climate of educational opportunity inequity. Look at Kittredge as an example of a school that has taken many stellar students out of north DeKalb schools. In the early 2000s, the principals at Vanderlyn, Oak Grove and Fernbank complained at a BOE meeting that Kittredge was draining their schools of top students and decreasing their standardized test scores. Druid Hills has the International Bacculaureate program and Chamblee has the magnet program and Fernbank Science Center has the Scientific Tools and Techniques (STT) program, and then there is always all of that Gifted money. <br /><br />DCSS has been masterful in giving vocal parents in both north and south DeKalb enough options to silence their voices, and the administration has more at stake to silence south DeKalb parents than north DeKalb.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18669209191052060172011-08-28T20:19:25.000-04:002011-08-28T20:19:25.000-04:00ANNOUNCEMENT
Parents for DeKalb Schools is excite...ANNOUNCEMENT<br /><br />Parents for DeKalb Schools is excited to release its very first video: <br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQnZfintdSY" rel="nofollow">Failing Schools, Forgotten Children: <br />Stories from DeKalb Schools</a><br /><br />In this compelling video, a South DeKalb parent shares her frustrations, hopes, and dreams. Share it far and wide with anyone and everyone who you think could benefit from this story.<br /><br />By sharing this video, you help to grow our reach to more parents and more schools across DeKalb County.<br /><br />Brief update: The Board of Education is meeting on Monday, August 29 at 10:00 a.m. for the final vote to hire proposed superintendent candidate, Dr. Cheryl Atkinson. A complete update will be sent following this meeting.<br /><br />Parents for DeKalb Schools remains committed to ensuring the best possible education for DeKalb children. With your help, we will make it happen together! <br /><br />See our updated web site:<br /><br /><a href="www.ParentsForDeKalbSchools.com" rel="nofollow">www.ParentsForDeKalbSchools.com</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-73822434784840552782011-08-28T20:15:20.075-04:002011-08-28T20:15:20.075-04:00And DeKalb Parent: I am FLOORED! All the other ...And DeKalb Parent: I am FLOORED! All the other districts COMBINED do not pay as much in taxes as either District 1 or 2?? What about District 4? I thought we paid some heavy taxes too in District 4. Please share the totals if you have them.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-72157039667453820312011-08-28T20:15:15.292-04:002011-08-28T20:15:15.292-04:00I, too, have lost hope in the Dekalb County School...I, too, have lost hope in the Dekalb County School System. We have elected strong Republican majorities in the House and Senate and we will have a Republican governor for at least three more years. Next year, we will remove Barrack Obama as President and most likely replace him with a Rick Perry. There will be a 5-4 conservative majority on the Supreme Court and the Democrats will most likely lose control of the Senate at a national level.<br /><br />The State of Georgia will not and cannot permit the Atlanta Public School System and the Dekalb County School System to function as they do now. Doing so would drive jobs to other states and our economy would never recover. People considering relocating here are turned off by the likes of Walker, Copelin-Wood, Cunningham, and Bowen. If you have any doubts, I would suggest that you attend a school board meeting and listen to these people. They continue to believe that all our problems are "racist" when 82% of Dekalb is minority. The schools in their districts are so bad that students there are transferring out. On solution to this is to reconfigure our districts to where students actually attend school - not where they live. The really sad thing about all of this is that it is the students in those districts who are being hurt most. In a few short years, all of them must face the reality of the job market. So-called "entitlement" programs are going to be cut drastically and I'm not sure what these students will or can do.<br /><br />I conclude by simply saying that change is closer than you think. You cannot force people to pay taxes to support something they despise. Given the Republican presence at all levels of government, I think that a change in our Constitution restructuring our school districts is growing more practical every day.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-30244400273617107752011-08-28T19:57:32.749-04:002011-08-28T19:57:32.749-04:004:21 PM You made my point exactly. Ramona made SO...4:21 PM You made my point exactly. Ramona made SO many empty promises at her first public meeting at Emory Lavista Parent Council. Virtually none of her 'promises' have come to pass. I see the same empty promises rearing their heads now through Adkinson. It's exactly the same. Both women may have wanted to make change, and may have thought, or think that as superintendent they CAN make change, but they are wrong. It's a wag the dog system.<br /><br />All that said, I do think it would be much easier to change the Georgia Constitution (after all the current wording was a 'change' at the time) -- than to get SACS to take any action, much less the Governor.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-39564157938537868052011-08-28T19:54:41.649-04:002011-08-28T19:54:41.649-04:00Decatur has stated that they are not interested in...Decatur has stated that they are not interested in annexing any residential areas now. Their schools are full and cannot accommodate more. Schools currently in unincorporated DeKalb would not automatically go to Decatur - Decatur would have to buy them.<br />(When Decatur considered annexing Forrest Hills, they were told the school didn't come with the deal.)<br /><br />I'd see the city of Druid Hills happening faster than an annexation...Dekalbparenthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16376422781260452873noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-16369314897280861692011-08-28T18:35:20.776-04:002011-08-28T18:35:20.776-04:00The state constitution can be changed. It seems l...The state constitution can be changed. It seems like we vote on a lot of these amendments. Bring it on!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-90834311297789016462011-08-28T17:59:47.103-04:002011-08-28T17:59:47.103-04:00@ atl 5 PM
I had already read everything you sent...@ atl 5 PM<br /><br />I had already read everything you sent about changing the Georgia Constitution. Thanks, anyhow.<br /><br />I am through spending time on DCSS. It is a lost cause. When the BOE "votes" for Atkinson, they will be putting the final nails in the DCSS coffin.<br /><br />Trying to work with the DCSS BOE has been like spitting into the wind. This goes for any DCSS BOE for the forseeable future. Even with a downsized BOE, I don't see any change in the voters. Enough already!<br /><br />I am determined to be part of the change that will benefit me as a North DeKalb homeowner and taxpayer. From this point on, that is what my time will be spent doing. I am through with throwing my tax dollars down a rat hole.<br /><br />I'm betting I am not alone.Jonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-38423960887480033742011-08-28T17:13:35.811-04:002011-08-28T17:13:35.811-04:00The constitution can be changed. This can be more ...The constitution can be changed. This can be more likely to happen if the Republicans get a super majority in the statehouse. There is one other out for DeKalb. If an area adjacent to Decatur incorporates and becomes a city they could become part of Decatur Schools. So if the City of Druid Hills is established you could create the Decatur/Druid Hills consolidated school district.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-48369103114017472832011-08-28T17:00:27.739-04:002011-08-28T17:00:27.739-04:00@ Jo
"I'm thinking North DeKalb School Sy...@ Jo<br />"I'm thinking North DeKalb School System. Dividing DeKalb County into two different counties would work, too" <br /><br />Did you realize that the state of <br />Georgia would have to change the State Constitution to create a new school system?<br /><br />Here is a link to the Georgia Constitution - Article VIII - Section V - Paragraph 1.<br />http://georgiainfo.galileo.usg.edu/conart8.htm<br /><br />"Paragraph I. School systems continued; consolidation of school systems authorized; new independent school systems prohibited. Authority is granted to county and area boards of education to establish and maintain public schools within their limits. Existing county and independent school systems shall be continued, except that the General Assembly may provide by law for the consolidation of two or more county school systems, independent school systems, portions thereof, or any combination thereof into a single county or area school system under the control and management of a county or area board of education, under such terms and conditions as the General Assembly may prescribe; but no such consolidation shall become effective until approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon in each separate school system proposed to be consolidated. No independent school system shall hereafter be established."<br /><br />In layman's terms, that means that as of the date of this article, NO other school systems can be established. DeKalb is DeKalb and it is unconstitutional to create a North DeKalb School System.<br /><br />Look at what it takes for an amendment to the Georgia Constitution:<br />"Paragraph III. Repeal or amendment of proposal.<br />Any proposal by the General Assembly to amend this Constitution or for a new Constitution may be amended or repealed by the same General Assembly which adopted such proposal by the affirmative vote of two thirds of the members to which each house is entitled in a roll-call vote entered on their respective journals, if such action is taken at least two months prior to the date of the election at which such proposal is to be submitted to the people."<br /><br />So just to get an amendment to the voters, you need a two third majority in the legislature. Then you need to get the voters to vote in the affirmative.<br /><br />It seems like it would ALL parents in DeKalb (north and south) for reform of the school system and the election of new BOE members. The governor can already appoint new <br />BOE members if SACS steps in so SACS is a good pressure point. And we will have every BOE member up for re-election in 2012 since they will be pared down to 7 from 9. This was accomplished by support legislators from ALL areas of DeKalb.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862880288663811743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-57216641314895412011-08-28T16:52:42.241-04:002011-08-28T16:52:42.241-04:00Better cut and capture those website references to...Better cut and capture those website references to Reverend Long's connections--they'll be off the website tomorrow.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-11340146341994843372011-08-28T16:51:09.817-04:002011-08-28T16:51:09.817-04:00Joe @2:30 PM
There are may be more non-taxpaying ...Joe @2:30 PM<br /><br />There are may be more non-taxpaying voters than taxpaing voters in DeKalb.<br />There are a higher apartment to owned-homes in DeKalb than any other county. <br />Apartment renters pay taxes via their rent, but don't evn notice it.<br /><br />Incumbents stay in office this way.<br />(It will help when we get rid of the superdistricts)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49314782264902041092011-08-28T16:44:13.353-04:002011-08-28T16:44:13.353-04:00Thats right YouGottaBeKiddingMe--there will be lar...Thats right YouGottaBeKiddingMe--there will be larger cities and city school systems before any county school systems are broken up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com