I will keep this brief—recently, teachers who were paying the daily rate in the after-school program in Fayette County Schools ($14 daily) were informed that this option would be removed. Teachers utilizing this rate would now be required to pay $70 weekly in order to keep their children enrolled in the program.

According to Angie Southers, program director (earning $134,118.04 annually, with $2,276 in travel reimbursements), this change affects 40 educators and is a result of increased health insurance costs for Fayette County staff. Concerned about the rising overhead of what is supposed to be a self-sustaining program, we reached out to Tom Gray (salary: $181,459.96 with $1,277.24 in travel reimbursements) to better understand how money is being spent in Fayette County.

For comparison, the ASP in Fayette County employs four staff members, while neighboring counties operate with far fewer: Clayton County runs its program with just two employees—its director, Buffie Kemp, earns $55,320 annually. Henry County, which offers both before and after school care, has three employees—its director, Cindy Greene, earns $131,074.00. Coweta County’s program is similarly streamlined and cost-effective.

This discrepancy in administrative overhead is worth examining—particularly when the average teacher in Fayette County earns approximately $65,000 per year and is expected to fulfill a long list of responsibilities. These include planning and delivering instruction, managing classrooms, maintaining communication with families, attending professional development, and ensuring student success both academically and emotionally. On top of these responsibilities—which teachers are aware of when entering the contract—the benefits to teaching in Fayette County dwindle. We do not receive the raises that our neighboring counties receive. The behaviors and prestige that once drove teachers to the county are rapidly becoming distant fond memories. And now we are asked to shoulder the burden of making up budgetary failures.

Meanwhile, the superintendent, Dr. Jonathan Patterson, earns $318,259 annually—excluding travel reimbursements. His responsibilities include providing vision and leadership, managing district operations, and supporting the well-being of students and staff. These expectations have not changed and, in fact, when Dr. Patterson does not meet these expectations he is rewarded with a longer contract.

I am left to wonder: what does it say about a school system where its highest-paid leaders are not held to the same standards of accountability and responsiveness as its teachers? What does it say when a program that once provided flexibility and affordability for educators is restructured with little notice or meaningful communication?

To be blunt—neither Dr. Patterson nor his well appointed designees reply to emails or phone calls. I wanted to get more information regarding the after school decision and the Chromebook decision—or perhaps I simply wanted to have a face to face meeting with the superintendent in the schools that my children attend. In addition to being an employee in this county I am a tax payer and I have a right to know how my money is being spent.

When Dr. Patterson was hired, he stated, *“I will continue to cultivate Fayette’s reputation while sustaining and building relationships within the community to move the school system forward. I am also committed to being a constant champion of the growth and well-being of Fayette’s students, academically, socially, physically, and emotionally.”*

And yet, it is hard to see how those commitments are being honored when a simple reply to a phone call or an email is too much to ask.

Respectfully,

Jherine Wilkerson

Art Teacher, Bennett’s Mill Middle School

Fayette County Resident