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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: 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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Name: jeep
Date: 7/20/2010 9:58:20 PM
Message:
Congratulations Wendy Lowe!!!!

Name: Rob
Date: 7/21/2010 4:07:07 PM
Message:
I second that!

Regarding Mitton- this man needs to go. For too long he has given a stiff-arm of non-responsiveness to the teachers who have ideas on how to make improvements. Clean out this school board, people!

Name: jeep
Date: 7/22/2010 1:47:16 PM
Message:
My prediction is Mitton will be gone soon enough. Look at surrounding counties, Incumbents are getting voted out. I agree he needs to go. Wonder if he was a the deciding vote which way he would go? Hmmm side with his boss (trammell) or for the education of our kids? Just something to keep in mind.

Name: Big Easy
Date: 7/24/2010 12:37:06 PM
Message:
Some of you people with your ideas of the school board running the day to day operations of the schools are ridiculous. They can't interfere with that by law and it will effect our accreditation (Google Clayton Co. Bd. of Educ.). If a teacher has an idea on how to make the school run better then they need to go to the principal and let him go to the superintendent and then he can ask the boards approval if that is even needed but to think its the boards job is wrong. I'm not sure how many teachers we have but I bet everyone of them has an idea on how to do things better and I'm sure a few have several. I guess if they truly feel their needs to be changes then they should apply for the principals job.

Remember these words that the first time the new or current board members run down to the school house to tell a teacher and/or principal how to do their job and they get a teacher with some balls and knows their rights our school system will end up in a lawsuit just like Clayton county.

To think that our school board members have ulterior motives to being on the board other than a big time headache is nuts. They get very little if any money from serving and I can't remember the last time a member sought higher political office.

I think our board has done a good job in these tough times and yes somethings should have been done differently but all in all a good job. We do need a spokesman to speak for the system when situations arise to let the public know what's going on but unfortunately I think our system is afraid of lawsuits and therefore says very little.

I hope Ms. Lowe does a fine job and is able to change a few things. The downside I see for her getting into politics is that her and her husbands ministry relies on donations from the local community and no matter how right she might feel, backing the wrong people or going after individuals to suit her cause might have an adverse affect for them. Right is right and wrong is wrong but in politics everyone is right and nobody forgets who does them wrong.

Having known Mr. Mitton for several years and after watching the debate on the Know Pickens website I do hope he gets reelected. Mr. Fincher did not impress me and quite frankly I can't remember anything he might have said if he even spoke. I figure if he was to get elected he'll be a puppet for the Canoe.

Good luck to the new school board!!

C'ya

Name: jeep
Date: 7/26/2010 10:08:11 AM
Message:
Big Easy....Why you are correct that the board can not interfere with day to day operations, they can replace the administrators that are doing a poor job. Administrators are NOT tenured. As for the "good" job you think they are doing, the school system did NOT make AYP. I hope Fincher wins! I also hope the new board members get rid of the superintendant and a few other administrators and start putting money into our kids instead of buildings.

Name: Satisfied Parent
Date: 7/26/2010 2:27:07 PM
Message:
Big Easy,
You're so right, after spending a little time in a Board Members shoes, people learn it is a thankless job and that they are legally bound by guidelines that they have to follow. The current board and superintendent have done a fantastic job in bringing Pickens County up to par with the best counties in the state. All the schools made AYP, do you realize that only 28 systems in the state made AYP? The system does a good job educating the students of Pickens County. We have a few naysyers who try to prejudice others into believing that Pickens does not do right for children. There are more of us out here who are proud of our schools then the handful who are constantly trying to stir up trouble by posting negative comments. "Don't believe them, get involved with your child's school and see that education is taking place."

Name: Mitton Suporter
Date: 7/26/2010 3:59:11 PM
Message:
Come on, all you folks that appreciate the excellent board we have, get out and vote for Mark.

Name: jeep
Date: 7/26/2010 4:48:58 PM
Message:
SatisfiedParent.....The individual schools only made AYP because their subgroups were not large enough to be counted on the school level (eg ELL, Spec.ed, econ. disadvantaged). However the System did NOT make AYP because as a system our subgroups are large enough to be counted. But then if you think staffing the front office instead of the classrooms and having nice buildings is more important than the actual education that's your perogative.

Name: jeep
Date: 7/26/2010 4:54:29 PM
Message:
Anyone know what top school systems in the state that Pickens was "brought up to par" with?

Name: Satisfied parent
Date: 7/26/2010 6:18:12 PM
Message:
Jeep, are you a blacksmith? You sure have a lot of axes that you grind, have you ever been happy with anything? You are the most negative person in Pickens County, why don't you head to greener pastures and find that perfect world that your searching for, maybe you'll find it in Never Land with Peter Pan. Oh, that's right, your already a grown-up.

Name: LocalParent
Date: 7/27/2010 8:53:13 AM
Message:
Satisfied Parent
Be careful of the advice you give. Unless by "getting involved" you mean bringing cupcakes to the class parties. Involved parents tend to get labelled as meddling, overbearing, un-realistic, crazy, etc,etc,etc! You should see what happens if you ask questions! That communication that is touted by the board. Now that may be the funniest of all.

Name: localparent
Date: 7/27/2010 8:58:10 AM
Message:
Mitton Supporter
I think the people that think the board did an excellent job already got out and voted. Wendy won 70% of the votes. Mitton lost 70% of the votes. My guess is the same 30% that voted for Neighbors voted for Mitton. Looks like 70% want a new board.

Name: jeep
Date: 7/27/2010 9:22:17 AM
Message:
SatisfiedParent....Were you a Board Member? You mentioned being in there shoes. As for a "thankless" job,I'll gladly thank a board member for doing a good job...as soon as one does.

Name: Parent who is irritated
Date: 7/27/2010 11:24:40 AM
Message:
This state ranks #48 out of 50 for education. Um, maybe we should all run for office with the BOE and make some serious changes! Education is the biggest reason will over look living in GA or even bring their coporations here. It is quite sad that children here are left in the dark when it comes to education! If the HS taught the academic subjects YEAR ROUND instead of only half the year, we might actually have smarter students. If you take the honor students and moved them into one of the top 10 school of our country they will be behind on academics. When people do move to GA from other states, most children will be put a grade ahead because they have learned more! This education system is wrong on a state level, not just locally. Although, this county is horrible when it comes to education. Get rid of all the weeks off in the school year itself, then join 90% of the country and go Sept-June.

Name: Big Easy
Date: 7/27/2010 11:43:48 AM
Message:
Exactly what is it the new school board members are going to do to improve the school system? The only thing I've heard from any of them is better communication, which I strongly agree with needs to happen but what other earth shattering things are they going to do?

The school budget is already thin and probably will get thinner to which our current board seems to have been working hard at controlling. I hope they don't furlough anybody else but it is becoming a part of the business cycle.

Are they going to start firing teachers for not doing their jobs and/or are they
going to start firing the principals for not doing their jobs which is making sure the teachers are doing their jobs? I don't believe they make those decisions only approve or disapprove the superintendents recommendations and I do think we have a few teachers that need to find a new line of work.

Let's just hope they don't start trying to provide bus service to the private schools in the county.

C'ya

Name: Satisfied Parent
Date: 7/27/2010 5:49:06 PM
Message:

Name: Satisfied Parent
Date: 7/28/2010 12:45:25 PM
Message:
Local Parent,
Your right about some parents being involved, if you've visited any schools, you've probably seen the parent who knows eveything, who is rude to other parents and school staff and the administrators. I'm sure that teachers sometimes cringe when these parents come through the door, thank heavens not all parents are like that. Parents who truly want to help make a big difference can do that by being proactive in school. There's a right way and a wrong way to be active in school and I bet you're one that they hate to see come through the door by the things that you say on this board. I have an elementary school child and a middle school child and I feel welcome at each school, staff are friendly and welcoming each time I visit. Very helpful and courteous, I couldn't ask for better treatment.

Name: Sharon
Date: 7/28/2010 3:40:35 PM
Message:
SatisfiedParent,

Jeep posted a congratulatory post to Wendy Lowe. Your post back said Jeep was the most negative person in Pickens County. You might be the one who needs to go to NeverLand. Still laughing!!!!!!!!!!!!HAAAA HAAAA HEEEE HEEEE . Enjoy going back to work tommorrow. Heard you got 5 furlough days this year. Maybe that's why you seem so angry.

Name: LocalParent
Date: 7/28/2010 7:10:33 PM
Message:
SatisfiedParent.....Going along with something that is so blatantly wrong is not proactive. Not asking questions is not proactive. Standing up for your child's education IS proactive. You seem to assume a lot. My children both had excellent teachers last year. I didn't feel unwelcome by either of them. My comments on this board have been directed at the Board Members and certain administrators. They are also facts you can look up. I can only assume why you would be offended that I posted that the school did NOT make AYP or the Fiscal UN-Responsibility in special ed.

Name: jeep
Date: 7/28/2010 8:28:47 PM
Message:
WOW! All this just by congratulating Wendy Lowe. There may be more problems than I know!

Name: jeep
Date: 7/30/2010 9:11:26 AM
Message:
SatisfiedParent.....you said
"There's a right way and a wrong way to be active in school..."
Let's be honest, with this system there is one way. Their way! I'll let you in on a secret, parents are NOT happy. That's why people want new board members.

Name: Big Easy
Date: 7/30/2010 11:54:18 AM
Message:
Jeep.....exactly what is "their way"? Are we talking about a few single issues that people blow out of proportion or is there something major the rest of us don't know about? Do the issues that you and some of the other posters have been talking about pertain to the teachings in the class room, issues with student conduct and lack of interest by the principals or is it a personality conflict between the parents and the teacher/principal/superintendent? I would dare to say most have to do with personality issues between the parents and the school personnel and vice versa that get blown out of proportion. I know there have been a few people in the community and even posters on this board that have gotten on their "moral high horses" and wanted to make changes in the schools based off of their personal feelings and/or beliefs. I prefer our board of education stick to watching my tax dollars and keep their moral beliefs and such to themselves as I will take care of any moral issues and/or beliefs for my kids.

The school board is there to manage our tax dollars not to run the day to day operations of the schools.....That's what the superintendent, principals and teachers are for. I feel our school board is at a cross roads and whomever the new members end up being can really make a difference on where our system goes. Yeah we have some bad teachers and I'm sure some not so good administrators but we need to get rid of them based off of their job performances and not because they didn't say hello to me or who their dating or whatever non job based reasoning unless their doing something illegal.

C'ya

Name: jeep
Date: 7/30/2010 4:22:42 PM
Message:
BigEasy......What do they base their budget on? While keeping taxes low is great it really comes in second to educating our children. They have had no problem spending money on new buildings. Did we really NEED new administration buildings? Yes the graduation rate has even gone up. The WHOLE states graduation rate went up. Is Fiscal Responsibility about being front office heavy with new buildings? Our system DID NOT make AYP. They taut open communication yet require the public to get "permission" to speak before the board. Why do we pay to have a lawyer present at all meeting? Why does a school system of this size have a lawyer on salary at all? This is unheard of for systems our size. Why are they not pushing to have the grand jury report opened to the public? What are they hiding? I could go on and on but I really hate long posts.

I'll tell you what I think their way is. Parents should just trust them and never question anything. My advice ....Question Everything, these are our children!

Name: jeep
Date: 7/30/2010 8:38:02 PM
Message:
BigEasy....I have to ask, are you basing how well the schools are doing on the fact that your buddy's are on the school board and there nice to you at the schools? I base my thoughts on the statistics and I must admit I thought Trammells response to a letter to the editor didn't help sway me in the boards favor.

Name: LocalParent
Date: 7/31/2010 7:41:12 PM
Message:
Big Easy,
Let's look at some special education statistics since this is one of the groups causing the school system to not meet AYP. I will give you the system's favorable information first.

CRCT/language arts passing scores increased 0.30%
Kids missing over 15 days down 1.10% (5.8% decrease since 2007)
So basically kids are getting to school and making a "small" gain in language arts.

Now the downside
Graduation rate down 3.6% (down 33.10% from 2008)
CRCT math passing scores down 1.70%
Parent satisfaction rate has not been passing since 2006 and it only has to be 36% satisfied. (0.00% were satisfied in 2007)
Due Process complaints and state complaints are on the rise and the state is siding with the parents more than our system.

Now let's talk Fiscal responsibility. Special Education can be VERY costly if not managed properly.
The average savings to the school system for developing "appropriate" early intervention programs for Autistic kids is over $200,000 per child over 18 years of education. Our system has at least 26 children with Autism. That alone is a 5.2 million dollar savings. Most other diagnosisis have similiar savings. Plus the added bonus of huge savings to the taxpayers later due to more special needs children being self-sufficient.
Appropriate programs also keep legal fees down. Our system paid over $72,000 in 2009 to one educational law firm. This number does NOT include what the district attorney makes or any other law firms that may have been hired.

Please do not think the board is oblivious to these problems. I have personally sent 11 e-mails to each board member and spoke publicly before the board. Since you watched the debate you know Mitton and Neighbors claim they receive hardly any emails. I'll be happy to show you the emails to prove who's being truthful. Guess how many responses I received from the board members?

While the board can't meddle in day to day issues they could have hired a new special education director with the experience and knowledge to address and fix these problems. They even had the opportunity since the director announced she was retiring. The board has to approve hires. Guess who is still the director?

Name: Big Easy
Date: 8/2/2010 9:59:01 AM
Message:
I question everything that involves my child and from that stand point they're doing a good job. I've never had a problem discussing anything with any of the board members or superintendent in fact they've been very respectful even though we didn't see eye to eye. I do think our system is to top heavy and needs a reduction in personnel and I don't know why we needed that new building unless it was included in the splost and they had to build it or lose it, I have no idea just saying.

There needs to be some type of response from anyone in the school system when sent an email or such. I know the ones I've sent to the principal have also been sent to the superintendent and I received a response from both that they would look into it and within reason I did receive a resolution. It might not have been what I wanted but they did look into it.

As for the meetings and the regulations they place on public participation I do have to agree with them. Could you imagine how disruptive they would be if we allowed anyone that showed up to speak and put no time limits on their speaking time.....Good Lord that wouldn't be pretty. I think in our day and time we have to many sue happy parents and the board feels the need to have the attorney present so they don't put the system in a bind with lawsuits. That's probably the reason you want see them taking notes either. Most everything they do is subject to the open records act so by not taking notes they can't have someone trying say that a doodle they drew was a sketch of one of the speakers.

C'ya

COMMENT

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