This is an email I sent to the Fayette County School Board. To date I have no response. I understand [School Board member Janet] Smola went all over Tyrone stating I was for closing the school. I believe a person with a little common sense would read this email and state that it is their responsibility, not my responsibility, to make decisions concerning the school system.
I would like to know how it is that the school board can pick a volunteer to fill the remaining term of Sam Tolbert, when in normal municipal, county, state, and national elections, a special election is held to replace the empty seat.
Is this not removing the citizens from choice of candidates and politics as usual?
Also, I would like to know that if the person picked is a volunteer, does it mean that he/she does not receive a monthly check? Does not the current school board receive monthly pay slips and benefits?
[As to the] closing of Tyrone Elementary School, I noted in the Fayette Citizen newspaper that the Tyrone Council wrote [the Fayette County Board of Education] a letter stating they oppose the closing of Tyrone Elementary School.As a Tyrone resident and taxpayer, my limited knowledge of the financial workings of the school system would lead me to believe that it would be to the best interest of all taxpayers of Fayette County to consolidate some schools for financial reasons.
If the board’s decision is to close Tyrone Elementary, so be it. I understand the economics of maintaining the Tyrone Elementary School. I also understand cost cutting has to be made by the Board of Education.
I understand the board is facing some tough economic times and I fully understand that parents are upset about the possible closing of this school.
However, in order to maintain a quality education system in Fayette County, tough decisions have to be made for the betterment of all citizens.
I would also think given the economic climate in Fayette County (property values declining, 80 percent of your revenue stream), state government revenue stream declining, and the federal government’s assistance, I would prefer to do without, because I am afraid the federal government will eventually have control of all school systems. I believe there will no longer be local control.
It would make sense to me to consolidate whatever schools necessary, increase the number of students in a classroom, which would mean to decrease the number of teachers.
It is my understanding that the reserves that we have enjoyed over the years will be exhausted by next year (your financial statement) which means we have to live within revenues received in the current economic times.
Whatever steps are necessary, be it consolidating schools, or changing teacher to student ratio, or innovations by utilizing the Internet as a teaching method as many other school systems are presently utilizing, I want the highest quality of education for our children.
However, we must realize the decreasing revenues and look at other avenues for support.
Grace Caldwell
Tyrone, Ga.
[Caldwell is a former member of the Fayette County Commission and a former member of the Tyrone Town Council.]
