tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post7051733435620142332..comments2024-01-08T03:21:35.616-05:00Comments on DeKalb County School Watch: A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACTCerebrationhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-28854318204631562862011-04-15T07:51:56.062-04:002011-04-15T07:51:56.062-04:00Wonderful! Thanks for the update. Now let's f...Wonderful! Thanks for the update. Now let's figure out exactly what this means...Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-55075364670305779202011-04-14T21:56:26.185-04:002011-04-14T21:56:26.185-04:00I am at the Capitol this passed ad an amendmen...I am at the Capitol this passed ad an amendment to another bill goes to Gov DealM Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03055591929413425231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-8388462582018294982011-04-12T12:31:34.859-04:002011-04-12T12:31:34.859-04:00Follow this link to see how each legislator voted ...Follow this link to see how each legislator voted on this bill -<br /><br /><a href="http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/vote.aspx?VoteID=8218" rel="nofollow">[SB 79] House Vote #273 (PASSAGE)</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91377774892622804212011-04-12T09:02:54.704-04:002011-04-12T09:02:54.704-04:00They are using the excuse that this is a local iss...They are using the excuse that this is a local issue - but they had a chance to allow only local voters to go to the polls and decide on the size of the school board. Mary Margaret Oliver's first bill on this issue did just that -- put it to a local vote. These same people - crying that it's a local issue - were the very ones who would not even allow this to go to a vote by the people! They had their chance - they didn't put their money where their mouth is and now their using "local control" as a smokescreen. Apparently, when they say "local control" they are only speaking of their own opinions, not those of north DeKalb legislators - or the people of DeKalb county.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-64358552400118994342011-04-12T08:48:13.110-04:002011-04-12T08:48:13.110-04:00The AJC quotes several DeKalb legislators that are...The AJC quotes several DeKalb legislators that are against the bill, but none that are for it. Strange since most are for it.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862880288663811743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-89539844329116561252011-04-11T20:40:11.968-04:002011-04-11T20:40:11.968-04:00Here's the AJC article on the subject:
House ...Here's the AJC article on the subject:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.ajc.com/news/house-agrees-to-give-905974.html" rel="nofollow">House agrees to give Deal power to remove APS board members</a>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-24449067005171198932011-04-11T20:38:04.155-04:002011-04-11T20:38:04.155-04:00Oh - I guess it was changed a bit in the House so ...Oh - I guess it was changed a bit in the House so it has to pass the Senate again... oy!Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-67268301570281777322011-04-11T20:04:58.636-04:002011-04-11T20:04:58.636-04:00Cere, I think it still has to pass the senate.Cere, I think it still has to pass the senate.Avidfanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11251651992871386796noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-38407891176820072792011-04-11T18:04:50.193-04:002011-04-11T18:04:50.193-04:00NEWSFLASH!
We have heard that this bill just pass...NEWSFLASH!<br /><br />We have heard that this bill just passed the House. This makes it on it's way to the Governor.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-41860436560438328372011-04-07T09:42:58.605-04:002011-04-07T09:42:58.605-04:00On another note, I wonder if the board collected r...On another note, I wonder if the board collected rent on this project -- and if so, which budget did it attach to?<br /><br /><a href="http://northdruidhills.patch.com/articles/mtv-releases-teen-wolf-trailer-starring-old-briarcliff-high" rel="nofollow">MTV Releases 'Teen Wolf' Trailer Starring Old Briarcliff High</a><br /><br /><i>MTV has released a trailer for its forthcoming TV drama Teen Wolf, which has been shooting in the shuttered Briarcliff High School/DeKalb School of the Arts building on North Druid Hills Road since November.</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-66345345486930188972011-04-07T09:37:23.774-04:002011-04-07T09:37:23.774-04:00Gwinnett may have missed some big land deals that ...Gwinnett may have missed some big land deals that construction developers manipulated, but our 9 member DeKalb school board totally missed the fact that their own superintendent and head of construction (with combined salaries over over a half-million dollars) were (allegedly) running a criminal enterprise right under their noses! Heck, they signed off on every action Lewis put in front of them.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-17098791509894499722011-04-07T08:15:39.980-04:002011-04-07T08:15:39.980-04:00It may not make a better board but it will make it...It may not make a better board but it will make it easier for the next Superintendent. Unknown, certain board members have always favored one part of their district over another. Look at SCW. Until they wanted to close Avondale, you wouldn't have even known that she represented anything other than her beloved Avondale. Walker has Fernbank.<br /><br />Changing the number of voters in each district might not change their behavior, but it will make it a lot harder to get reelected. <br /><br />The land deals in Gwinnett are wrong. But the members of the Board, on most other issues, seem to have a more global view.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-18514858599310980062011-04-06T21:28:48.673-04:002011-04-06T21:28:48.673-04:00From MMO --
The 2011 General Assembly will adjour...From MMO --<br /><br /><i>The 2011 General Assembly will adjourn Sine Die on April 14th, and major remaining issues must be resolved in the last three long days of work. On Monday, April 11th, SB 79 will be voted on in the House to lower the size of the DeKalb Board of Education and to allow the Governor to appoint members of the Atlanta School Board if the Atlanta City School System loses accreditation from SACS.<br /> <br />HOW WOULD YOU VOTE ON SB 79? You may review this bill and other legislation on the Georgia General Assembly web site, http:/www.legis.ga.gov/legislation.<br /> <br />SB 79 combines provisions for governance of School Boards for Chatham County, DeKalb County and the Atlanta School System in one bill. Late in the Session, it is common practice to combine multiple bills in one legislative proposal. In November, MMO pre-filed HB 22 which gave DeKalb voters a referendum opportunity to choose whether the DeKalb School Board would have 9, 7 or 5 members. The DeKalb delegation was inconsistent in supporting HB 22, on some days voting yes, and on other days voting no. Moving forward with the provisions of SB 79 to establish the DeKalb School Board at seven members was a bi-partisan compromise of a group of DeKalb legislators. <br /> <br />Supporters of lowering the DeKalb School Board size state a smaller size Board is in response to SACS governance issues with the School Board, and last year’s SB 84 which established a seven member board as the model. A smaller School Board is supported by EduKalb, a leadership group of DeKalb County Chamber of Commerce. Research demonstrates that smaller Boards have a better chance to work collectively, offer more cohesive policies, and DeKalb School Board requires some structural changes. Opponents of SB 79 state the DeKalb School Board size should be decided only by the DeKalb delegation, not the entire House, it is a local issue, and that the voters can vote out any School Board member they do not like.<br /> <br />The City of Atlanta School System provisions of SB 79 create a safety net for the Governor to appoint new Atlanta School Board members if SACS determines the Atlanta School System loses accreditation in September under the current work plan and probation period. These provisions continue the protections for school children where a District loses accreditation in the same procedures that were passed in SB 84 in 2010 but then serving Board members were “grand-fathered” protections. <br /> <br />What do you think? Thank you for your interest and opinions!<br /> <br />To reply to the weekly question about SB 79 and the DeKalb School Board size, please click “reply” or email me at mmo@mmolaw.com</i>Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-43572357436563249242011-04-06T17:42:17.187-04:002011-04-06T17:42:17.187-04:00Yes. Actually as Mike points out in his comment, i...Yes. Actually as Mike points out in his comment, it affects Savannah-Chatham county as well (and any other district that would lose accreditation in the future...)Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-7318446832781112672011-04-06T17:34:55.820-04:002011-04-06T17:34:55.820-04:00I think the bill for the Governor to step in perta...I think the bill for the Governor to step in pertains only to Atlanta.Gaylehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07862880288663811743noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-91015009123179813032011-04-06T16:08:20.301-04:002011-04-06T16:08:20.301-04:00anon 1016,
You asked the question I have - how doe...anon 1016,<br />You asked the question I have - how does changing the Board size fix anything? <br /><br />themommy and susancurtis,<br />I don't think that having fewer districts or electing them county wide will mean that the members will have a bigger picture. I think this could cause even more inequity. Just because they are suppose to represent an area doesn't mean they will really represent the whole area. They may pick and choose areas to favor. All areas are not equal with voter turnout or numbers in general. We elect the CEO countywide and see how that has worked out for parts of DeKalb. Fewer board members will concentrate the power into fewer hands and make collusion easier. Look at the land deals in Gwinnett. We just had an election and look who the voters put back in office. Why would you think that would change?<br /><br />I agree that our board could be improved but how do we go about it?unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12184874366242706793noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-69034524128014560482011-04-06T14:43:36.243-04:002011-04-06T14:43:36.243-04:00TheMommy is correct - the more children(constituen...TheMommy is correct - the more children(constituents) a Board member represents, the less politicking. Also, hopefully, with Board members representing a more diverse range of children, the more the Board will think of how to solve the SYSTEM's problems, not just the schools they represent. I personally wish the legislation said 5 Board members, and that those members were to run county-wide. Then everyone would be responsible for everyone!Susan Curtishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00972313857435334862noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-49910921160692584562011-04-06T10:31:15.225-04:002011-04-06T10:31:15.225-04:00It looks great. Now it must be passed. Let's ...It looks great. Now it must be passed. Let's see what happens. Let's hope it passes as it is benificial to several school boards in the state.Ella Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16485840445272819682noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-848016234881567562011-04-06T10:03:11.833-04:002011-04-06T10:03:11.833-04:00Nine isn't working. SAT scores have dropped su...Nine isn't working. SAT scores have dropped substantially in the last decade. Things weren't great with 7 but they were better. Having a nine bosses is impossible. Seven isn't as good as 5 but it us an improvement. The savings in savings could pay for two paras.<br /><br />The politicking has been unbelievably bad since we expanded to 9. We need our board members to represent more people so they think more of the entire system and less of reelection.themommyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01829171693817032539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-27731768421079861382011-04-06T09:52:16.896-04:002011-04-06T09:52:16.896-04:00Won't they all be "at large" members...Won't they all be "at large" members?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10354295354953693857noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-25357913887105773612011-04-06T08:56:17.704-04:002011-04-06T08:56:17.704-04:00Due to a large amount of spam, we are now requirin...Due to a large amount of spam, we are now requiring registration in order to comment. If the spamming goes away or Google gets better control, we will reinstate anonymous commenting. Until then, please log in using any kind of identifier you choose. Thank you for participating in the blog.Cerebrationhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11161868015604029471noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-40158256011148947792011-04-05T23:12:46.055-04:002011-04-05T23:12:46.055-04:00I would hate to see us go back to the old days whe...I would hate to see us go back to the old days where 4 votes will get you anything you want. I am also concerned about losing the at large seats. It appears the at large members are concerned with at least half of the system instead of a schools in there District which is "a natural" lte's face it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-3894369946134985322011-04-05T22:39:23.699-04:002011-04-05T22:39:23.699-04:00It was about ten years ago - if memory serves - th...It was about ten years ago - if memory serves - that the DeKalb School Board was enlarged to 9 members through what can only be called interference by a certain member of the GA General Assembly. She did not serve DeKalb, but acted at the the behest of certain DeKalb legislators who did not have the support of their colleagues to get such a bill out of committee. It was a terrible misuse of legislative power and it immediately ushered in an era of ill-prepared board members who did not know their roles, who thought this was a job that should give them a full time salary. The board was far more functional when there were fewer members who actually had to be accountable for knowing the issues and coming to meetings prepared. With a 9 member board, members can always blame other reps for the inability to make forward progress. Follow City of Atlanta and you'll see when there are too many members, they do not have to get along or reach consensus. The issues simply stay more muddled and confused. This is a step in the right direction.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-151096942903989101.post-78840317712771459032011-04-05T22:16:33.166-04:002011-04-05T22:16:33.166-04:00what is the purpose of the Bill? How does reducin...what is the purpose of the Bill? How does reducing the Board from 9 to 7 fix anything? Jay won with 65%; he's not going anywhere. If the 'super district' seats are gone, does anyone know what district Pam and Walker reside? Will Jay and Walker face off?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com