A third

reason is these students will have the opportunity to

learn more in three days in our nation's capital than

they possibly could in a classroom. This education will

include history, science, art and architecture, and an

overwhelming dose of citizenship.

The final

reason is simply fairness. On Jan. 12, 1999, the board

voted unanimously to let a group of Newnan High students

travel to Washington from Jan. 31 to Feb. 6, missing an

entire week of school. On Jan. 12, the board members were

filled with enthusiasm about Newnan's trip. One board

member made the point that five days in our nation's

capital were easily worth five days in a classroom.

However, by

June 8, the board somehow had a complete change of

attitude. After Northgate's trip was recommended by both

the associate superintendent of education and the

superintendent of education, it took only seconds for one

board member, who by coincidence is a Newnan High

graduate, to criticize missing four days of school to

visit Washington. He was quickly joined by the board

chairman who, like one other board member, lives within

walking distance of Newnan High; by the two board members

who are Newnan High parents; and by the remaining board

members.

It is time

for the members of this board to take a good look in the

mirror and decide, despite gerrymandered districts and

despite their many close associations with Newnan, if

they are the Newnan Board of Education or the Coweta

County Board of Education.

Peter

Skrmetti

Newnan

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