Why schools decay, apathetic nonvoters remain unengaged

Why

schools decay, apathetic nonvoters remain unengaged

Why don't we trust

those we elect? In response to Jodi Foster and Don

Campbell regarding the SPLOST:

I see the problem in a

different light. The thing that amuses me when I read of

your concerns about the SPLOST, is that you always want

to add responsibilities on the Fayette County Board of

Education's shoulders that they are powerless to address

- issues of annexation, approval of new construction

developments, further expansion of the population base in

Fayette County.

It would seem to me that

you would be a little more appreciative of what the board

is and has been doing. Fayette County is number one in

the state in SAT scores. We are lowest in high school

dropouts. We have more of our high school graduates that

go on to higher education. In short, somebody's doing an

outstanding job.

Not to burst your bubble;

you may be doing a great job with your own kids, but I

don't think your influence covers all of Fayette.

Here's how I see the

problem: We're in a boat, 25 miles off shore, when it

springs a leak. You want to talk about, "We should

have bought a different boat," or "Maybe we

shouldn't go out so far next time," or "I don't

like this captain, I think we should elect a new

one."

I on the other hand think

we should take our resources and get to work just as

quickly as possible to caulk the leak. For you see, it is

only a leak at this time. But, if we continue to put off

the inevitable, the schools needing repair, new schools

and, yes, Martha, new sports facilities, then at some

time and point down the road we will find ourselves going

down with the ship, unable to repair the leak in a timely

manner. The cost increases due to delay of

implementation.

In your letter, Don, you

mention the kids being "well-rounded," and turn

right around and say, "What items could be cut from

the budget without hurting the academic needs of our

children?"

In order to be

well-rounded, one needs more than just academics; ask any

college counselor what they are looking for in a

"well-rounded student" and in what areas other

then academics they are issuing points for admittance.

You mention "expensive

computer systems which most of the teachers are unable to

use." So, because some of the teachers don't take

the time to learn on the new equipment, we shouldn't

teach our children how to use the computers, especially

in light of where we are headed in the technological age?

And then you go on to say,

"The system commits to excellence through continued

improvement, instructional innovation and high

expectations," with more students in the system and

more on the way, using fewer dollars per student and the

improvements needed already, cannot be met let alone,

"continued improvements"?

Don, the board of education

of Fayette County doesn't determine the number of schools

in our county, nor the size nor how they will share

facilities between middle and high schools; the state

does. Those large complexes are designed to reduce the

overall cost of the schools. As more and more students,

along with their families, come to this truly great place

called Fayette County, Don, we are going to have to do

something more than just criticize. We must act, and we

must act now!

The delays in

implementation of SPLOST have already cost us millions.

The repairs must be made. The facilities must be built.

The classroom space must be provided, if we are to

continue to enjoy the prosperity of how well our children

are doing in life, compared to the rest of the state.

People, wake up! Why are we

the number one county in the state? Why do we have one of

the most desirable places in which to live? Because the

people we elected at the board of education are doing a

great job.

Are they infallible? No!

Are you? No! And it is not the nay-sayers who are

delaying the inevitable and pushing the ultimate cost

higher and higher, it is you, Fayette County! You are the

ones who are letting this great county slide backwards.

All of you, the 7,000 plus registered voters who never

even went to the polls to exercise your hard-earned right

to vote!

I applaud the nay-sayers

for exercising their rights. I hang my head in disgust

and confusion over those of you who didn't vote, and who

are content to allow someone else to determine the future

of your children and ultimately, you!

Buzz Clarke

Peachtree City

[email protected]