PTO presidents representing Fayette County schools packed the house at the Fayette Chamber of Commerce last month as Superintendent Dr. Jeff Bearden addressed immediate challenges facing the public school system.
Topics included updates on the school redistricting process, school finances and budget and information on November election issues including the ESPLOST and the Charter Schools Amendment.
Dr. Bearden spoke at length about what the current ESPLOST has funded and how the continued ESPLOST, if approved Nov. 6, would be used.
The previous ESPLOST funds were used to renovate facilities, replace buses and text books, used to lower the debt, and brought the latest technology advancements into our classrooms, Bearden told the PTO members.
Bearden said that, since the initiation of the new technology programs, discipline problems have gone down and the students are very engaged and performing at a high level.
According to Dr. Bearden, If the ESPLOST passes, it will allow Fayette County schools to continue and enhance the 21st Century Classroom technology programs that are providing the tools our students need to be successful in the future.
The Fayette Chamber has scheduled two opportunities for Fayette County citizens to become informed on the issues prior to the vote on Nov. 6.
The first event on Tuesday, Oct. 16, 5:30 pm will be a Community Conversation featuring discussion between the two school board candidates: incumbent Terri Smith, who switched from Republican to Democrat this year, and Republican challenger Mary Kay Bacallao.
The community is also invited to a State of the Schools Breakfast on Wednesday, Oct. 31, 7:30 a.m. The cost for the breakfast is $10.
Both events will be held at Peachtree City United Methodist Church, 225 Robinson Road, Peachtree City. To register for the events, contact the chamber at 770-461-9983.
