I can't sit back without responding with facts —Etta Mims

Received 4 Oct 2011. -jsq

Greed is an excessive desire to possess wealth or goods with the intention to keep it for one's self. Greed is inappropriate expectation. However, greed is applied to a very excessive or rapacious desire and pursuit of wealth, status, and power. —Wikipedia

We would like to think that our community “leaders” are not full of pride and greed, but please listen closely:

• The CUEE Board did NOT meet with both school boards prior to sending the petition around town.

• Troup County Schools have not met AYP in 8 years.

• Tennessee's Hamilton County system, the entire district, is currently high priority. This means they have had two years of bad results. This is the school used in CUEE's original study.

• CUEE's expert Steve Prigohzy said,

  "If you believe in the end that running one system is cheaper than running two school systems. If in the end you are going to cast a vote for a single system because you think it would save money, I wouldn't cast my vote I do not think it will save money."

• If consolidation passes, there will be only 7 Board Members representing almost 20,000 students.

Luke 12:15, Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Also, in 1 Timothy 6:10 we are told, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” Not everyone is sitting on the sidelines regarding consolidation. I will go ahead and ask you to vote no to consolidation on November 8th. I believe we all agree that pride can be powerful and destructive. Pride is mentioned in James 1:10, 10 “But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower.”

• Bussing will occur and children will have to change schools.

• From a practical standpoint, will all the current elementary schools stay open

• How many educators are currently on the CUEE board? How many educators are on the list of supporters of CUEE? How many experts on education are behind this and why?

• Which of the current 16 total Board (County and City) members are willing to walk away to make room for the 7 “interim” members?

• If this passes, Valdosta City Schools no longer exist. What if this were Lowndes County Schools ceasing to exist?

• Who will supply the $5 million dollars required YEARLY to bring the current City School Employees to the same retirement compensation level as the current County School Employees?

• Can CUEE guarantee that teachers will not lose their jobs, tenure or pensions? These teachers consider their jobs to be at their current school. Can CUEE also guarantee that no staff members will be moved around to other schools? Teachers and Principals will have to relocate.

• Couldn't the enormous funds being spent by CUEE be better used to improve our schools?

• Our athletic programs will change.

• Based on a summary from Academic Leadership, Volume 4 Issue 2 Spring 2006, Authors: Joe Bard, Clark E. Gardener, Regi L. Wieland:
  • There should not be “forced” consolidation.

  • There is no “ideal” size for schools or districts.

  • “Size” does not guarantee success – good schools come in all sizes.

  • Smaller districts have better achievement, affective and social outcomes.

  • The larger a district becomes, the more resources are devoted to secondary or non-essential activities.

  • Local school officials should be wary of merging several smaller elementary schools, at least if the goal is improved performance.

  • After a school closure, out migration, population decline, and neighborhood deterioration are set in motion, and support for public education diminishes.

  • There is no solid foundation for the belief that eliminating school districts will improve education, enhance cost-effectiveness or promote equality.

  • There is a strong negative correlation between district size and student achievement in low-income populations.

According to Wikipedia, "'United we stand, divided we fall' is a phrase that has been used in mottos, from nations and states to songs. The basic concept is that unless the people are united, it is easy to destroy them.”

As citizens of the City of Valdosta, we are the people. Those of us that are registered to vote, need to vote. We need to remain united and not allow a group of individuals to destroy us.

As citizens of Lowndes County, you are the people. Even though you cannot vote on consolidation, you and your children will still be directly affected in a multitude of ways. Although your right to vote has been denied, you can still stand united with the citizens of Valdosta against these individuals who are in pursuit of wealth, status and power.

I agree that as a community we should come together with a common focus.

I agree our common focus should be about helping the children of this community become the best educated they can be.

As an adult community, not a group of small children, when we ask, “WHY?”, we deserve answers other than “because we say so”.

As adults, do not be afraid to state where you stand. Don't be lukewarm.

If you want consolidation, please stand and be prepared to answer our “why's” with facts.

If you DO NOT want consolidation, please stand up, right here, right now, for your rights and the rights of the children in this community.