As I

eagerly watched and followed the beginning of the first

legislative session of a new century and new millennium,

I learned of your A Plus Education Reform package which

would eliminate the people's vote in education. It would

instead appoint an Office of Education Accountability.

This merely takes away the people's vote as well as their

voice in local education, and places all power and

authority within the appointed local school councils.

The purpose

of the appointed local school councils, which would be

established and given all authority, is said to encourage

the parents' participation, input, and bring them into

the school-based decision-making process. Yet how

can the establishment of an appointed local school

council, which is not accountable to the voters and

parents in a public election, be accountable to the

people of Georgia?

In George

Washington's Farewell Address, he stated, "The

independence and liberty you (the common people) possess

are the work of joint councils and joint efforts, of

common dangers, sufferings and successes." This part

of the Education Reform Package simply takes away the

independence and liberty of the people to have a voice

and input into the joint efforts of education.

I have

often looked forward to holding the privilege to vote,

especially on issues such as education that may change

the course of history. I beg you, sir, to reconsider this

aspect of your A Plus Education Reform package and how it

may affect my generation, and those to come, as you

strive to improve Georgia's education.

Hannah

Peavy

Fayetteville