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Name: jeep
Date: 8/2/2010 2:57:32 PM
Message:
BigEasy.....I started a new post so that I didn't have to keep scrolling down. First I have to disagree with you on the public participation at board meetings. Setting a time limit is fine. Even limiting how many can speak at each meeting is acceptable. Having to get "permission" and tell them exactly what you are going to discuss is ridiculous. Why? They don't respond at the meeting. If you are a regular reader of this board you also know that the board not answering e-mails seems to have some merit. From what I've heard of the High School there are more problems than just the principals private life. Many parents think it is mis-managed. I'll give you a big reason why I think Mitton needs to go, aside from the job this board has done, He works for the chairman of the board. Too much of a conflict for me to be comfortable with.
I'ld love to hear your take on the whole "renting of the gyms" and the new alternative school location since these surely were approved by the board.
Name: Stop the madness
Date: 8/4/2010 12:40:28 PM
Message:
Jeep,
I understand your trepidations about having a lawyer on staff and yes it is possible that an outside firm handles all the court room and legal actions but a lawyer on retainer allows the board to ask what needs to be asked with out having to contact the firm and ask them and have to pay a hefty amount of tax payer dollars to answer.
Now with that being said I am 36 years old and every single school I ever went to (mind you none were here in Georgia) had a lawyer or a staff of lawyers on retainer. the fiscal responsibility comes from not having to go to an outside firm and pay top dollar to the firm for answers.
As far as the lawyer being local you are right he probably is friends with a lot of people in the area but that kind of helps the system because the lawyer knows how these people he may know will act or respond. In court however he would have to recluse himself due to conflict of interest. Which is why an outside firm is probably used. Now I don't always agree with how schools do business and spend tax payer dollars I have to say honestly that having a lawyer on retainer is in my opinion a thing that is a needed and wanted thing because we all know some student somewhere in our lives who have tried to get over and falsely accuse someone of wrong doing, and then the knuckle head parent who fall for it do get "sue happy" to quote once again the earlier post.
And the only reason I know so much about this stuff is my best friend is a lawyer in the state of Ohio and he deals with cases just like the mentioned cases that could possibly arise.
Name: jeep
Date: 8/4/2010 5:40:17 PM
Message:
Madness....I just don't see where the money he is paid is justified. He's not an education lawyer. If the school thinks it needs a lawyer why not hire one in the field they are in? I guess we should just agree to disagree!
Name: MadMomma
Date: 8/5/2010 7:21:19 AM
Message:
What ya'll really need to ask is when did it become neccesarry to hire a lawyer and why.
Why is this lawyer getting almost [deleted] raises each year! What's going on that warrants this!
I'm tired of our schools hiding everything from us parents. They expect us to trust them with our children then refuse to tell us what's REALLY going on in our schools.
SHAME ON PICKENS COUNTY SCHOOLS!!!!!!!
Name: Rob
Date: 8/5/2010 9:12:07 AM
Message:
madmomma- exactly what are the teachers hiding from parents?
Name: Rob
Date: 8/5/2010 9:55:59 AM
Message:
To quote Dave Ramsey, "It's just plain STUPID to raise property taxes to pay for huge school budgets" yet it is happening everywhere despite the increasing outcry.
I have spoken before on the need to charge fees for use of school facilities. Those facilities are there for school use. Period. In the past, groups have used these places and wrecked them- left them trashed, left lights on all night or weekend, you name it. A firm position had to be taken here, and it is working though the previous offenders got pissed off but oh well. Simply because these facilities are tax-funded does not imply the right for full and free use at will.
I have to play devil's advocate here and say that to a degree, these district employees do have rights to privacy when being investigated for possible wrongdoing just as private sector employees. What enfuriates me is the degree to which certain people in leadership appear to vigorously cover and cover up. Most of us know that the [deleted] yet there appears to have been no forced accountability let alone even the hint of an investigation. Legally, even the level of truth surrounding the inuendo is enough for reassignment, but why make it 3 counties that have taken that route? In an age when the public is demanding accountability for public officials, it appears absolutely nothing has changed.
As for the question regarding teachers not speaking up, I can't speak for them all but I'm sure most of them don't wish to participate in the soap opera, and wish to keep their jobs. If there was a clear and present danger to the kids, they would but complaints go up, not out, and fall under the rules of internal privacy laws and such. However, the state has laws on the books (GPSC, Ethics Commission) that clearly indicate NO tolerance, and provide for a level of transparency during investigations which was NOT available locally because of the county/state firewall. Makes me wonder why we have a GPSC when local boards can simply keep everything private and no one is the wiser.
All of this supports our need to clean out the current board so that maybe we can get some sanity back, before [deleted].
COMMENT
Name: jeep
Date: 7/29/2010 8:28:45 PM
Message:
Any updates on the grand Jury report on the school being opened? [Editor's Note: It has not been opened. We'll have an update in next week's paper.]
Name: Bob Hayles
Date: 7/30/2010 11:50:19 AM
Message:
jeep...sometimes thing happen that we'll see, but just not immediately. I assure you there will be some action taken regarding "un-hostaging" that report next week.
Also, the findings of the Child Abuse Committee (don't know the "official" name) are NOT exempt from the state sunshine laws, and ARE subject to the Freedom of Information Act, and the chairman of the committee will recieve an FOIA request next week as well.
The arrogance of everyone...school board, grand jury, judge(s)...in keeping information from the taxpayers and parents of Pickens Co is unacceptable and must be...will be...circumvented and the public will, in the end, know what happened.
And anyone who broke the law will be exposed. Will they be dealt with by the legal system? That depends on Joe Hendrix.
Bob Hayles
http://www.juicymaters.com/nationalpolitics/2010/07/30/charlton-hestons-a-torch-with-no-flame/
Name: jack
Date: 7/30/2010 4:39:35 PM
Message:
Joe Hendrix has to 'go along to get along' and it is highly unlikely that any official in Pickens County will be found at fault for violating any laws of the State of Georgia , or County or any other laws of the land. there will be an excuse of some sort to explain 'why not' to placate the taxpayers
Name: jeep
Date: 8/2/2010 10:54:41 AM
Message:
Jack...you may be correct on Joe Hendrix. No different than our board of educations response to the matter. IF it get's opened at least the rest of us can see the truth. I've always wondered what would happen if our board (or any government branch) would just admit a mistake was made and tell us how they were going to fix it instead of making excuses.
Name: Skippy
Date: 8/3/2010 8:02:28 PM
Message:
An attorney on the payroll is probably cheaper than paying $$$$$ per hour for each and every phone call, consultation, and board meeting attended. From what I see, the guy isn't getting rich by any means.
Name: jeep
Date: 8/4/2010 10:56:39 AM
Message:
Skippy....I'll assume you commented under the wrong post. The School attorney is ALSO the county attorney. If he makes the same from the county than I have to say that sounds like a good portion of his income. I actually understand why the county would hire him since they need more of a paper lawyer (contracts, real estate, etc). I would think the school would need an educational attorney. And aside from attending board meetings what does he do?
Name: jeep
Date: 8/4/2010 12:41:18 PM
Message:
Skippy... I just looked up the average pay of lawyers in the US. They make between $50,000 and $150,000. The attorneys pay isn't a secret it's listed on the Open GA website. Soooo I'm kind of thinking that the school gig is pretty big! My real concern is HOW many of these fees are neccessary. What else is the school paying for that's not really neccessary. Let's cut some of the fat and keep our teachers in the classrooms.
COMMENT
Name: Rob
Date: 7/28/2010 6:54:05 PM
Message:
To accompany the story Bob broke here, the democrats have struck again in a similar vein:
Mortgage loan originators will have to be fingerprinted and sign up to a central registry to do business in future, according to final rules issued on Wednesday by the Federal Reserve and other regulators.
The rules are part of the Secure and Fair Enforcement for Mortgage Licensing Act of 2008, also called the S.A.F.E. Act.
They were issued by the Fed, Comptroller of the Currency, Federal Deposit Insurance Corp, Office of Thrift Supervision, Farm Credit Administration and National Credit Union Administration.
Mortgage brokers came under tough scrutiny in the wake of the 2007-09 financial crisis, with some lawmakers and regulators sharply critical of underwriting standards and practices that were seen as so loose they helped foster a housing price bubble.
The S.A.F.E. Act specifies that mortgage brokers who are employees of agency-regulated institutions must register with the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System and Registry,
“As part of this registration process, residential mortgage loan originators must furnish to the registry information and fingerprints for background checks,” a joint release from regulators said.
Fingerprints.
And ILLEGAL ALIENS in Arizona are enjoined from even having to carry their damn green cards as of today. Hey democrats, where are your priorities?
Name: pinto colvig
Date: 7/29/2010 11:55:57 AM
Message:
well, its not really the democrats fault here. remember, the republicans said over and over that they would never pass a law that has the right priorities, namely preventing the fat cats (not lowly mortgage originators) from ripping off the poor as they were allowed to under the bush and apparently still are allowed to. the bill is watered down because of the democrats' fear of republican opposition to a real bill. the original bill proposed by the democrats had the same finger printing provision for CEO's, CFOs, and US Senators. but the republicans said no way to that...
Name: satisfied parent
Date: 8/4/2010 6:35:57 PM
Message:
Jeep,
Have you ever though that the large subgroup of econonomic disadvantaged students come from so many parents not having jobs, so thus their children are on the free and reduced lunch program? There is not a whole lot that Mr. Ballew can do about subgroups whether it be disabled children or the economically disadvantaged, they are Pickens County Children and as such Mr. Ballew and the Board try to take care of everyone. Each school in Pickens County made AYP, that's a good effort, lots of schools in the state cannot make that claim, true, when all the subgroups are added together system-wide the system gets a raw deal because of something that cannot be controlled. Get over yourself, excellent education programs are happening all over Pickens County. GET OUT and Vote for Mark Mitton.
Name: jeep
Date: 8/5/2010 9:44:14 AM
Message:
Satisfied......I'll try to dummy the numbers down for you so you can understand. The GHSGT is a test required to graduate. In 2009 76.1% of all students passed the math portion. In 2010 72.9% passed. ALL groups failed the math portion of the GHSGT. Guess what ultimately drops when these scores drop? The Graduation Rate! Guess what happens if the school continues to NOT make AYP? The state can take over our schools! Guess what happens in GOOD school sytems? Home values increase, Economies are stronger, and most important the kids get a GOOD education! Hope that makes sense to you!
Name: LocalParent
Date: 8/5/2010 11:02:22 AM
Message:
SatisfiedParent
Why Can't Mr Ballew do anything for the Economically Disadvantaged and the Students with Disabilities? That's his job.
Name: satisfied parent
Date: 8/5/2010 1:08:06 PM
Message:
Local Parent,
When did it become the school superintendent's job to become a job placement coordinator for the parents of economically disadvantaged children or a doctor to heal physically disabled children? Come on, use some common sense!!! I don't believe that is found anywhere in his job description.
Name: AYP
Date: 8/5/2010 1:35:07 PM
Message:
This county did not make AYP last year. This county doesn't put the education values first, they would rather show movies all year round in HS than teach students. Another thing, if a student wants to drop out of HS, they are set free without consultaion or any kind of trying to convince them to stay. The parents go in, and sign a paper, and off they go! No wonder this state is #48 out of 50 in the country! Maybe the state SHOULD take over our schools, then maybe the children of Pickens County might get a better education than we have now.
Name: satisfied parent
Date: 8/6/2010 7:09:42 PM
Message:
AYP,
Have you run a reference on school systems that have been taken over by the state? I have and I guarantee you that is something that you better pray never happens. Besides, as far as Pickens County being taken over by the state, it's not going to happen, not anytime soon, because they are not in any danger. We did pretty dog-gone well compared to the rest of the systems. Again, if you don't like the system, get your duds and move somewhere that makes you happy. Oh, I forgot, you don't know how to be happy, is there anything in the school system that pleases you?
COMMENT
Name: Bob Hayles
Date: 7/28/2010 11:01:14 AM
Message:
Another tidbit from the abomination that is Obamanation...
That recent financial reform bill...the 2300 page monstrosity that no one who voted for it had read...well...
Included in the bill is an exemption for the Securities and Exchange Commission from the Freedom of Information Act.
Without the results of FOIA requests, Bernie Madoff would still be ripping people off, Goldman Sachs, et al, would still be doing business as usual, and SEC regulators would still be watching porn on the internet when they should be working.
How's that hopey-changy thing workin' out?
Bob Hayles
Name: Rob
Date: 7/28/2010 2:52:24 PM
Message:
Right you are, Bob. I just read that myself. Just another example of h9ow this administration has lied to the American people to further their agenda.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/28/2010 8:02:36 PM
Message:
Just the fact that we have politicians voting on bills they haven't read is scary enough.
Name: pinto colvig
Date: 7/29/2010 12:03:25 PM
Message:
yes jeep - kind of like the patriot act, or bush's medicare bill, or clinton's welfare bill, or the budget every single year, or the iraq war resolution. here's a little secret about congress that everyone else has known for the last 200 years - congressmen DO NOT read the bills they vote on. they never have. they assign their staffers to read the bills, and the staffers advise the congressmen on how to vote. congressmen who got what they want from the lobbyists who write these bills, vote yes. those who didn't get what they want, vote no. anyway, if that is the biggest criticism you have, then you must believe, deep down, that Obama is doing a pretty darn good job.
Name: Jeep
Date: 7/30/2010 1:28:25 PM
Message:
Pinto....you know you actually made a little sense. You are right about politicians and how they vote. Have you figured out why the incumbants are getting voted out? Hmm maybe it's not a secret. When Pelosi told us we had to vote in the healthcare bill to find out what's in it I think the last of the clueless ones caught on.
COMMENT
Name: R. Ellison
Date: 7/27/2010 12:55:47 PM
Message:
I found the recent article out of the Bent Tree gated community very funny.
Cathy Carden wants to remove the deer from the gated community because the deer are damaging the community ecosystem with their constant nibbling on the dogwoods and undergrowth.
Heaven forbid that the deers bring the property value down!! I suppose the million dollar homes are better for the ecosystem?
Someone please tell this lady that the deer are not the destroyers of the ecosystem but man is. We have destroyed more animal habitats in the name of "civilization" in the last 50 years than humans have done in 2000 years.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/27/2010 8:24:25 PM
Message:
I gotta agree it's pretty funny! I look forward to seeing the deer myself.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/28/2010 9:42:35 AM
Message:
Rob....Nice idea. The food bank would probably welcome the venison!
Name: R. Ellison
Date: 7/28/2010 1:24:48 PM
Message:
Rob,
Are you illiterate, stupid, or just wanting to argue over everything under the sun.
My post was about Cathy Carden's misguided statement made from behind the elite Bent Tree Gates. She said that the deer were destroying the ecosystem (not my statement but hers) of her private, precious slice of heaven by... OMG, eating the vegitation that God created for food.
Yes, I'm poking fun at this person. In the article, She is driving her golf cart (uses gasoline, propane, or electricity) rather than walking. She is talking about how the deer have eaten the vegitation and now she can see the world outside her elite gated community.
BTW Rob, I never said "save the deer" but I am saying directly how stupid this ladies comment was. The deer are only doing what they instinctively do... they are eating. I suppose the next thing this lady will do is put up a sign stating "No deer allowed"... like they are squatters on her land or something!
Yes Rob, I do realize the venison that can be provided to our citizens. I belong to a group of locals that do just that. We take our alottment and give them to families that can use the meat to feed themselves. The problem is not with the deer but the elite people, like Cathy, who think they can build a house (in a natural setting) and not have some form of wildlife venture across her land.
Rob, I am not a scholar but a "learned man of faith" and evidently you are not. We do have domain over the animals (as food or sacrifice to God) but we were never given domain over the land, sea, or air. That is God's domain. If you will tolerate the remedial Sunday School leason...
In Genesis 1:28-30, we are told that man was given:
"dominion over the fish of the sea and over the fowl of the heavens, and all animals that move upon the earth. And God said, Behold! I have given you every herb seeding seed which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree in which is the fruit of a tree seeding seed; to you it shall be for food. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to every creeper on the earth which has in it a living soul every green plant is FOR FOOD"
In Genesis 2:15, we further learn:
"Jehovah God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to WORK IT and KEEP IT."
This verse sums the issue for you. Humans are to work the land, maintain the land, but no where did God give us ownership of the land to destroy it. Our domination of the animals is spelled out..."AS FOOD"! What Cathy wants is not Biblical but selfesh. She views the deer as lowering her home value and nothing more.
Name: Rob
Date: 7/28/2010 5:15:39 PM
Message:
Relax, ellison. In this case we are talking about the same thing. Perhaps I misunderstood your mission in this case. I am in total agreement and understanding that man is directed to kill for food only. I would only agree with a deer kill if it was proved that the deer would feed people. Especially if the meat would be targetted for needy families. I apologize for the misunderstanding.
Name: Rob
Date: 7/28/2010 5:31:49 PM
Message:
Ellison, I do want to be clear on where I stand regarding animals v. man.
“Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Then God said, “I give you [plural] every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food.”
As in the case of the Delta Smelt's health preventing farmers from making a living in CA:
http://spectator.org/archives/2009/09/11/emptying-reservoirs-in-the-mid/
Animal rights wackos have gone completely over the edge. A man's life is worth more than that of an animal. God, and common sense agree.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/28/2010 8:10:30 PM
Message:
Gotta agree with Ellison on this one.
Name: MC
Date: 7/28/2010 10:35:21 PM
Message:
If Ms Cathy is bothered by the deer in Bent Tree, why did she move to a mountain community? The most beautiful sight in Bent Tree is seeing the wild life, deer, bear and turkeys. Everybody says how over populated Bent Tree is withut deer. Not so. When there was a drought sure you saw more deer coming through your property looking for vegatation but know with a busy rain season I see less on my property. Ms Cathy needs to get a life and leave the deer to nature.
Name: Brian
Date: 7/29/2010 11:18:46 AM
Message:
Apparently you have never been in Bent Tree. Or, perhaps your notion of "elitist" is much different than most.
Name: Ed Jones Jr.
Date: 7/30/2010 11:08:42 AM
Message:
ROB: I think there should be room for all of God's animal creatures , right next to the mash potatoes !
Name: Ed Jones Jr.
Date: 7/30/2010 11:24:06 AM
Message:
Brian : Not sure who your reply was directed at , you didn't say , but I have to say that of all the prople I have met from Bent Tree , and thats a bunch , I remember only two that didn't have a " Bent Tree Plate " on the front of their car . How many people running around with " Jasper " plates or " Pickens " plates on the front of their cars have you seen ? I'll answer for you - None , Nada , not one . Prehaps a re-read of Webster's is in order !
Name: Rob
Date: 8/3/2010 4:29:00 PM
Message:
Ed, nicely said! I like my deer burgers medium, with coleslaw and fries. I eat everything I kill, save for the flies on my back porch. If I don't want to eat it, I don't kill it.
I wonder if these folks have seen all the deer repellents on the market? Some of them are very effective.
COMMENT
Name: Rob
Date: 7/26/2010 6:53:01 PM
Message:
The day before Obama spoke to leftist activists in Las Vegas last weekend, former Green czar Van Jones told the same conference not to worry about deficits, that there are plenty of rich companies to raise taxes on, and "the only question is how to spend it."
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid told the same leftist activist conference, "We're going to have a public option, It's just a question of when."
The ruling class continues to govern against the will of the people. Have you democrats had enough of this yet?
Name: pinto colvig
Date: 7/27/2010 1:32:44 PM
Message:
van jones grew up in the dirty south, son of public school teachers and his father was a Methodist minister. harry reid is a former boxer and cop, and his dad was a miner. both these fools clearly have more connection to "the people" than you ever dreamed of having yourself Robot. and the majority of Americans think big companies are under-taxed, and indeed they currently enjoy the lowest tax rates in this country's history. "ruling class"? you don't know what those words mean...
Name: jeep
Date: 7/27/2010 8:44:41 PM
Message:
Well one thing I'm certain of, Ellison was either really bad at real estate or he was never in real estate. I do have to ask Ellison, do you think someone who works hard and makes a good living should be forced to upkeep the rest of the country? The whole 15% tax bracket on the wealthy was funny! Can you post a link to that info?
Name: R. Ellison
Date: 7/28/2010 1:44:31 PM
Message:
Look Jeep,
My point is... if everyone is laid-off, unemployed, etc. Who is left to pay the taxes? It's going to be hard as he** to "bleed a turnip" for more taxes when everyone is unemployed.
Hence, since the wealthy (as demonstrated with the large bonuses, severance, and regular wages) seem to be the only ones prospering of the economy, they are being required to makeup the loss in revenue.
You asked "do think someone who works hard and makes a good living should be forced to upkeep the rest of the country?"
Normally, no but these are not ordinary times.
I ask you, do you think someone who is loyal to and works hard for a company (without taking sicktime, working all the hours the employer requires of them, never complaining nor having damaging disregard for the employer) for decades should not expect to share in the companies prosperity? The managers may make the decisions but its the workers of this country that perform the labor and get the goals completed.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/28/2010 8:23:09 PM
Message:
Ellison.....the rich have always paid the majority of the taxes. Most tax credits are fazed out if you make over a certain amount. If you are unemployed or poverty you don't pay taxes. As for working hard for someone and expecting them to share their wealth, generally the person who get's wealthy has also put in the most work and put the most on the line. Most wealthy people I know worked their butt off to get there. Many went years without days off and worked sun up to sun down. All raising the taxes on the wealthy does is drive business out of the country. The Unions have taken rewarding the workers to an extreme and now companies are going under. We view poverty in this country very different than the rest of the world.
Name: pinto colvig
Date: 7/29/2010 1:01:53 PM
Message:
jeep- I think you win today's award for posting the most comments that don't have a clue. the rich pay the majority of the country's taxes SIMPLY because they make the majority of the country's income. its called a "progressive income tax system" this country has, or is supposed to have. but its not working the wya its supposed to because the rich are undertaxed. for example, the top one percent income earners pay about 35 to 40 percent of the total federal income tax. But they make about 80 percent of the country's total income. so why shouldn't they be paying 80 percent of the total federal income tax? by any reasonable standard, the rich are getting a major break on taxes. if you don't want to pay taxes, don't get rich. which shouldn't be a problem for the mentally infirm, such as some folks on this board who waste their time fighting for the rich while they scrape the carpet for bread crumbs...
Name: jeep
Date: 7/30/2010 1:18:46 PM
Message:
Pinto...Wow you believe that 80% of the income in this country is earned by 1% of the population! Could you post a link to that information. Allright I'll be nice and help you out. The wealthiest 1% in our country earn 19% of the income but pay 37% of all taxes. The bottom 50% (this would be you) earn 13% of the income and pay 3% of the taxes. Guess I'll have to pass the award on to you!
Name: pinto colvig
Date: 7/30/2010 6:52:13 PM
Message:
jeep - simply put, you are not sophisticated enough to understand the dynamic economic forces at shape here. according to the U.S. treasury and even the Heritage Foundation, when you account for ALL TAXABLE forms of income, including capital gains, interest, and fluid expenses, the top one percent earned about 72 percent of all the income in the U.S. in 2007 (so I was off by 8 percent), and paid about 40 percent of taxes. I'm not going to wipe your butt or post the link for you, you can find it on your own...
Name: pinto colvig
Date: 7/30/2010 7:05:53 PM
Message:
actually the 72 percent figure includes a lot of income that IS NOT TAXED as well, income that is exempt because the earners are rich, like capital gains above a certain amount (which are taxed at a lower rate than lower income earners' capital gains), money that is hidden in offshore accounts, income subject to tax credits and rebates which, again, is only rebated because the individuals earned above a certain income. your figure of 19 percent includes ONLY taxable salaries and wages. again, this is from the u.s. treasury and heritage foundation...
COMMENT
Name: Stop the madness
Date: 7/26/2010 3:46:14 PM
Message:
I am officially worried,
I called a local school that my daughter will be attending kindergarten at and asked if they were ever going to send us a list of school supplies needed for the school year, and also asked about the dress code. The answers I received were absolutely astonishing.
1. Answer to school supply questions.
Q: "when are you going to send a list of what our children need for supplies for the school year?"
A:"we don't send them out you need to check our website."
Q: "do you have the web site address where I can look this up?"
A: "www. ummm I don't know google it or something."
2: Question regarding school dress code.
Q: "what is the dress code for the school so I can make sure my daughter will be dressed accordingly?"
A: "you would have to check our website."
Q: "Is this he same website you refereed to earlier?"
A:"yes."
Q: "Is there anyone there who knows the web address?"
A: "Not that I know of."
Not satisfied that I had received the needed responses to my question I then called the school administrative offices. They were somewhat helpful.
I spoke with the secretary first. I asked if there was a specific dress code that needed to be followed, and what my daughter would need for school supplies. She proceeded to tell me let me transfer you to the assistant superintendent, and she did.
He was very helpful but told me that we would not know what our kindergarten age daughter would need until our first open house with her teachers. Now I know this may seem normal but how many parents here have had to run out last minute to get something for their child because it wasn't told to them ahead of time. I personally think that this is unacceptable and it make me wonder how they plan on teaching my daughter when they don't even know what is required for classes and dress codes. oh and might I add that according to the assistant superintendent there is no supplies list for the kindergarten grade and that it rests solely on their teachers and what they tell the parents.
Not a good start to the parent teacher relations.
[Editor's Note: School supply lists are on page 17A week's print edition on sale at convenience stores]
Name: Stop the madness
Date: 7/26/2010 5:16:00 PM
Message:
Editor,
Thank you for the information the school district obviously thinks we are supposed to know what is needed, does the list have kindergarten supplies as well? [Editor's Note: yes. There is other back to school info as well. And we'll have back to school stories in the print edition coming out tomorrow.]
Name: Rob
Date: 7/26/2010 6:25:29 PM
Message:
Madness, while I won't apologize for the staff, it just doesn't hurt to educate yourself about these things without relying on office staff to tell you everything. I would venture that while you were quizzing them (probably rightfully as far as I know) there were others who already knew what they needed because they did their homework. As long as you have been here, as many times as you have qualified yourself to be the one who knows what he is talking about, it is shocking that you couldn't find a school supply list that was published in the Progress last week.
You can blame the government school system all you want, but the people in the office are probably just trying to keep up right now, and to be honest, it is quite human to forget the website name. You may want to try to do these things yourself, for your daughter, and try to rely less on other people. You are the parent.
Name: Oh Boy
Date: 7/27/2010 11:15:18 AM
Message:
The supply list doesn't matter when it's put on line. IT DOES change when you attend the OPEN HOUSE THE DAY BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS. Why would they have it the day before school starts when the stores are wiped out on the things one person needs to buy? There should be no reason for a parent to go running out the night before school starts to provide supplies for the ENTIRE CLASS, not just their child. No person has the money to do this! Then when the child goes and needs a pencil the teacher says you cannot have one! This being said AFTER each parent had to provied 3 pack of 12 pencils? Or buying 5 packs of 150 sheet loose leaf paper? Where does it all go that when our childen need something WE buy and there isn't any? My suggestion is to LABEL IT WITH YOUR CHILD'S NAME so NO ONE ELSE can take it. OR only send in things as they are needed. Why do we have to provide CLOROX wipes? Doesn't the janitors clean each classroom every night? Oh wait THEY DON'T! As parents we shouldn't be spending this money on non-important supplies. If there is a list on the "web" then those items should be for the student, not the ENTIRE class!
Name: R. Ellison
Date: 7/27/2010 12:42:43 PM
Message:
Rob,
Why are you defending the office staff?
They are a paid part of the school system and are suppose to know what to tell parents. That's what the main operator (secretary or whatever they call themselves now days) gets paid for... to answer the parents questions or point them toward an answer.
Name: Stop the madness
Date: 7/27/2010 1:38:12 PM
Message:
Rob,
I am not blaming them at all but you should not have to go out and buy a paper you were never told about to get a list of required materials for the school year. Now on to the fact that I have been here a little while I have only moved back to pickens county in Oct of last year my oldest is already finished with school and now it my youngest ones turn. I am new to this district which is why I ask so many questions about it. I am very involved in my childrens education and refuse to be to blame for teachers and office staff not being able to answer questions about dress codes and supply lists. if anything it shows that who ever was answering the phone either had no proper training pertaining to her job, or it means that the school system is not genuinely concerned with the questions parents may ask or they would have an exact web address listed by the phones or a supply list or even where to get a supply list.
None of those questions could be answered and it leaves me a little distraught because my childrens education is very important. I mean after all who is going to pay my nursing home bills when I am old and decrepit =(joke) Children need to be educated properly, or it will be the end of it all. I mean do we want the next president to be a retired rapper or an out of work sports anchor. No we want people who are qualified to do the job with as few errors as possible and only someone (notice I didn't say some man to all you women out there I honestly think Hillary should have ran.) that has been properly educated can truly be capable of doing the job.
Name: Rob
Date: 7/27/2010 7:31:16 PM
Message:
The moral here is DON"T depend on or wait for the government to tell you what to do about preparing your kids for school. You are the parent.Be proactive. Go to school with your child on day 1, or open house. Meet the teachers who will be educating your child! Ask him or her what you need to supply your child with! Holy sh%t people! Are you really this dependant?
Your argument is not with the staff at the school, the DMV, the census, or whatever arm of govt. you wish to include. Many of you have consistantly voted for democrats, I'm talking to you Ellison. Regardless of what Pinto says about all of these liberals who came from so-called humble beginnings, these people are all responsible for expanding govt. for socialist ends. So, DO NOT bore me with your whining about the government that won't help you parent your child...YOU HELPED CREATE this monster. Assume control of you own lives.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/27/2010 8:48:50 PM
Message:
Madness....Gotta agree. Also have to agree with the poster who said it didn't matter because it all changes once you get to open house. Been there done that!
Name: R. Ellison
Date: 7/28/2010 4:12:49 PM
Message:
Rob,
How do you know who I voted for?
You have no idea who I am?! You have been too reclusive to even meet with me!!
Now you claim to know who I voted for??
For your information (since I evidently now have to answer to you on my private matters) I voted for McCain.
You have repeatedly accused me of being a democrat, a liberal, a racist, a queer, a communist, a socialist... Rob, have I missed any of the slanderious titles you have accused me of being??
For the last time ...
I AM AN INDEPENDENT THINKER NOT TIED TO ANY PARTY !!!!!
I AM A MEMBER OF THE SILENT MAJORITY !!!
I AM TIRED OF THE CRAP YOU CONSERVATIVES ARE SPREADING !!!
Unlike you, I STAND BEHIND THE PRESIDENT BECAUSE THE MAJORITY ELECTED HIM !!!
You conservatives are like a bunch of whiny like children on the school playground. A vote was taken but you didn't like the outcome so you whine and babble about how unfair it is. You keep whining... hoping someone will reverse the decision that a majority voted for.
Wake up Rob, this isn't the playground and you are not 6 years old anymore. Obama was elected by a majority to be our President and he is doing the best he can. I think it's unAmerican that you, the Conservatives and the Republicans don't stand behind our elected leader. Try standing behind our President, for good or bad, and be man enough to offer constructive solutions to problems rather than sitting at your computer whining about "how you feel cheated that Obama is President"!!!
Name: Stop the madness
Date: 7/28/2010 8:24:54 PM
Message:
Rob,
No One and I mean No One brought politics into this except you, the reason why, your wife is a teacher I can understand your need to argue over anything that may have her involved. Now back to what I was saying, There should be proper notification of what any student needs prior to the start of the new school year. Any one who thinks otherwise either has money to blow anytime they want, or they have never had more than one child in their home attending school.
Curriculum is never at the level it should be thanks to the no child left behind act. But that doesn't mean that the staff at the school administration office should not have a prepared list of classes and needs for each class. Otherwise how can we as parents actually know what is going on if we as parents can't get straight answers from the people that are supposed to be watching educating and molding the young minds of the American youth. You see Rob it has nothing to do with not wanting to be there for my child it is about wanting to know what my and any other child may need to be prepared for the start of the school year instead of waiting until the very last minute to have to rush out and buy things because a standardized system is to complicated for teachers and administrators of teachers to grasp.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/29/2010 9:55:51 AM
Message:
To be fair. The problems aren't really with the teachers. The central office should be able to answer questions or at least get back to you with the information. Now on top of everything else our teachers will have bigger classes to deal with but less in-service days and less pay. Our superintendant said the cuts wouldn't affect the kids but the school didn't make AYP this year. A common trend in Georgia. Our teachers can NOT be successful without the proper tools.
Name: pinto colvig
Date: 7/30/2010 12:25:17 PM
Message:
Robot - if you really want to turn this into a political argument, you are destined to lose. Simply put, ALL FIVE school board members are CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICAN. Case closed... but I must say every time you type, you make socialism sound like a utopian nirvana.
COMMENT
Name: Bob Hayles
Date: 7/23/2010 3:34:12 PM
Message:
Y'all might enjoy this:
http://www.juicymaters.com/nationalpolitics/2010/07/23/two-parties-four-philosophies-a-tiger-by-the-tail/
COMMENT
Name: Tom
Date: 7/23/2010 4:43:29 AM
Message:
Well kiddies I think I'll go to the flea market on 515 this weekend!!
Name: Bob Hayles
Date: 7/23/2010 11:28:49 AM
Message:
What's up there? I quit going because of lack of customers...no customers means no sales.
Name: Wroneyslesorn
Date: 7/24/2010 12:52:43 AM
Message:
Hello friends,
I am looking astral projection techniques, if possible easy and with rapid results.
Would any of you know any or could recommend a trustworthy website?
Thanks!
,
Name: Rob
Date: 7/26/2010 6:12:17 PM
Message:
Uhhhh, spam.
COMMENT
Name: Local Parent
Date: 7/22/2010 3:55:19 PM
Message:
For anyone interested the AYP (adequate yearly progress) reports on our school system. The 2009-2010 school year status is now posted on the GDOE website.
Our system did NOT meet AYP!
Name: Are you surprised?
Date: 7/23/2010 11:25:39 AM
Message:
Come on, did you really think that they would? This school system is horrible and needs to be revamped. From the elementary school with child molester mentors, to the high school principle [section deleted], teachers sleeping with their students, and civics teachers showing movies year round? All they focus on is attendance, and not grades. Go to an assembly with the end of nine weeks at the middle school or elementary schools and see that only 30-40 children get the good grade awards, yet 100 of them get perfect attendance. This theory doesn't work! Parents need to stand up to this BOE and make a differnce instead of sitting back and ignoring it all.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/24/2010 9:50:14 AM
Message:
Wonder how long the superintendant and board have known this? I'll even predict Ballew's response. It'll go something like 'the state holds our children (or certain groups) to too high of expectations'. Just another reason to get rid of Mitton.
Name: LocalParent
Date: 7/26/2010 8:50:45 AM
Message:
Here's another example of how smart the board is. The special ed director retired last year. During the directors leadership the system lost state complaints, lost a due process hearing, and the spec ed graduation rate plummeted (68% in 2008, 39% in 2009, 35% in 2010). The system should have welcomed the directors retirement! But instead the system rehires the director as a part timer to continue to oversee special ed. Most people don't care about special ed because they think it does not affect them. Think again, a poorly run special ed program not only is a disservice to the kids it can be a huge drain on budget.
Name: Stop the madness
Date: 7/26/2010 5:17:52 PM
Message:
not to mention that if special ed students can manage to graduate they can be gainfully employed leaving less of a strain on welfare taxes.
Name: Are You Surprised?
Date: 7/27/2010 11:09:14 AM
Message:
I find it funny you deleted the web site for people to go to and read these statistics! Is there a reason you won't allow it? It is public knowledge and if someone wants to go an look it up, they should have the web site to get the CORRECT information, and NOT THE LIES this county puts out about the "wonderful" schools that WE DO NOT HAVE! Maybe we should call the national news media and let them know about this education system we have and how the little news paper we have HIDES all the stuff that goes on and prohibits those from getting the CORRECT information people need when looking to move into this county! We certainly are sorry we came up here to this county. It is certainly not worth the lower tax rate than we paid before. is a better place, for more than one reason!
Name: jack
Date: 7/27/2010 11:45:09 AM
Message:
All the more reason to forget about 'gov'mint' scoos and do more home schooling where YOU control what when and where something is taught. Try it, you'll help your kids to know what they need for life, not what some government authority tells you they need.
Name: Satisfied Parent
Date: 7/27/2010 5:56:22 PM
Message:
Jeep, you're so good about spouting information about the school system. You haven't mentioned that Pickens County is one of the FEW counties that has 100% "Highly Qualified" teachers. Check with the Professional Standards Commission,
Pickens is the only county in North Georgia who can say yes we're HQ.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/27/2010 8:51:37 PM
Message:
You can google "Georgia Department of Education" and find the statistics.
Name: jeep
Date: 7/28/2010 9:37:06 AM
Message:
SatisfiedParent.....Wonder why the system did NOT make AYP with all these highly qualified teachers? Generally poorly run schools are caused by administration. The teachers are not the problem (with a few exceptions of course). Here's some more statistics for you. Good school systems have increased home values and better economies than poor school systems.
Name: Sharon
Date: 7/28/2010 10:05:11 AM
Message:
Wonder what 'Highly Qualified' means? Are they qualified to teach or qualified to show movies all day?
Name: Lord Hidetori
Date: 7/28/2010 11:16:47 AM
Message:
Showing the movies isn't the skill, selecting the right movies to show is. The Royal Tenenbaums probably taught me more than any teacher. Had a teacher the foresight to show that movie to my kids elementary class I would thank them for the education they provided. Of course if all they show is Top Gun, then there's a problem.
Name: Sophmore Parent
Date: 7/29/2010 10:47:06 AM
Message:
My child was in civics this past year, and they watched MOVIES every day. These are to include; Forest Gump, Black Hawk Down, Hidalgo, Tombstone, Mr Smith Goes to Washington, and 12 Angry Men. These are only a small few of what my child did each day. Explain to me what these movies have to do with learning the branches of the government in this country? Other school districts do not show movies each and every day, they LEARN about CIVICS!! It sickens me that honor students are not getting the education they deserve and need to enter a college OUTSIDE of UGA or Tech. They are great schools, but not everyone stays here in this place. Pickens County Schools are HORRIBLE and those of us who have highly intelligent children are paying the price of the UNQUALIFIED teachers. There are many many parents who were born and raised here that just don't give a hoot about the quality of education because the teachers and pricnicple are their buddies or went to HS with them, and want to "cause problems" Well good citizens of Pickens County, you are hindering your child's education! It is not because of no child left behind, it's because mom and dad at home do not make the children study, or go to the administrators and press for them to TEACH the future leaders of America! If we could, we'd leave this place if the housing market wasn't so bad, and go to a county where the teachers actually teach, and the principle monitors the staff of his school instead of having affairs! Help these children succeed in their education and make them proud to say they are from Pickens County! Go into that High School and ask how many of them are proud to be from here, you get get a small percent to be enthusiastic to say YES. Small minded people are the reason this county won't move forward!
Name: LocalParent
Date: 7/29/2010 12:44:02 PM
Message:
Sophmore Parent
Want some good reading. Read some of the boards reports. This is how the board describes the parents
"The schools contend with apathetic or non-involved parents with their childrens education or school which makes it hard to build partnerships between home and school"
Seems like they would welcome us parents that care! Best of luck to you! There are more of us "meddling" parents that expect a real education than you know.
Name: Tech
Date: 8/3/2010 8:49:17 PM
Message:
I'm late to the game, but ...... couldn't pass this one up.
"Sophmore Parent", is "principle" (of the high school) really the best way to deliver an argument about how bad our schools are? You might want to spell check next time (though in fairness, you spelled the word right but used it wrong).
Regarding your "UGA or Tech" comment (followed by words to the effect of "not everyone wants to stay here.."), you do realize that students from across the country and around the world attend those schools, right? Not everyone wants to stay where? Jasper? Georgia? USA? All may be true, but ... what's your point? If a student wanted to attend school anywhere else, can you explain exactly what is lacking in the preparation they receive here vs. most any other public school? If you can define or explain what our system lacks, my next question is: what are you doing about it (short of complaining on a message board)?
Since you want to move but can't (allegedly due to the poor housing market) can you tell us where you would move to? What public school system rises to meet your expectations?
Is our system perfect? Nope. Trouble free? Nope. Controversy free? Nope. Could it be better? Yep. In other words, is it like pretty much any other public school system anywhere in the USA? Probably.
I also doubt that if you went *anywhere* and posed the question to middle or high school students (out of the blue) "are you proud to be from here", etc., that you would get a hearty response ...it's just not cool. Show up from another school and start talking smack and you would probably get a different response. You might see some "pride".
Finally, why pin a lack of parental involvement on "people that were born and raised here"? Are you really that biased / ignorant? Do you have any idea how many people live here who "ain't from here"? (That "ain't" was on purpose, by the way - a touch of sarcasm....). Lack of parental involvement is hardly unique to Pickens County, and as much as it may surprise you is not unique to the people who were "born and raised here". You might also be surprised to find out how many teachers from the system "ain't from here" and therefore aren't "buddies" with the parents of their students.
If you're not part of the solution you are part of the problem. That's the cliche'. You really don't seem to be part of any solution, so .......
Many of us are deeply involved in our children's lives. We attend school board meetings, are active in school advisory councils, PTO's, booster clubs, etc. We check our kids grades daily. We interact with teachers and administrators (and school board members) regularly. Our children are involved in extracurricular activities (and no - not "just" sports, occasionally an academic event might actually show up).
I'm sorry you're trapped here. Hopefully better days are ahead for all of us and then you can move to your Utopia. Good luck with that.
Just my native born thoughts. But what do I know? I'm one of those people who was born and raised here. Reckin I mus' be ignurnt.
COMMENT
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