Early voting begins today, take time to go vote!
Some districts have a choice in their school board member, which is a seat that voters don't seem to think of as important. Just remember the Anderson County School Board decides where their $54M is allocated, they also set school policies, as well as hire the Director of Schools (just a few of their duties). Those put in office during this election will be responsible for interviewing and hiring a new director of schools. It is important that we put people on the school board that are committed to following policies and procedures. These people need to be committed to making the very best decisions for ALL students in our county. Always keeping what is best for our children first!
There are some real doozies running for school board in the county. Just take a long look at Ricky Rose, brother-in-law to Jerry White and both the lord mayor's mouthpieces. Be careful when you vote and know who you are giving control to.
You have Rickey Rose, who served as a county commission for many years.
You have Ron Hagans, who has served on the board for many years.
You have George Roberts, who has been a substitute teacher for several years and is familar with schools on the ground level. He could bring a whole new perspective to the school board.
You have Jackie Montgomery, who has direct classroom teaching experience and has children in the schools. She too, could bring in a whole new perspective.
You have Jo Williams, who has served as secretary to the director of schools and school board secretary.
These are the only facts that I know about the candidates. However, I do know that the candidate running for Mr. Cantrell's seat also has direct experience in the school system at a ground level.
Isn't it funny how so many candidates that work at the ground level are seeking to unseat some of the current board members?
Frankly, I can't believe how many of the county's school board members have family working in the school system! The chairman's wife was recently employed as the director over food services, I've been told she was the only one that applied for the job. I've also been told that wasn't true, that there were several applicants. Do ethics not apply to the school board?
A prospective teacher also told me that as he was being interviewed the principal left the room several times and the vice principal received text messages, he not only knew he wasn't getting a job offer, but knew the interview wasn't fair.
Something isn't right! There needs to be change! The schools are in place to educate children, not as a means of political power or unfair employment advancement.
Why would this be any different than County Commission? Maybe it should be a requirement.
It also fascinates me that some high ranking folks will go to extremes to discredit some people that only want to see the school system live up to their boast of being fair and equal! The truly sad thing is that there are some at all levels that choose to believe what they hear instead of making up their own minds, afterall why would this person not be truthful? Maybe because the person they want to discredit would attempt to bring change to the school system and some people don't want their little clique busted up. It all strikes me as amusing, a classic case of people wanting to believe the worse in someone.
I just want to know what the excuse is this year for Clinton High School being on the high priority list? I've been told by a teacher that the graduation rate is over 90%, which shouldn't be a reason for the high priority ranking. I can't wait to hear the excuse this year.
I, FOR ONE, AM GLAD TO SEE MORE PEOPLE STEP UP AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE, "HOPEFULLY". I HAVE SIX CHILDREN IN THE SCHOOL SYSTEM AND I AM VERY ALERT TO THE SCHOOL BOARD AND HOW THING ARE BEING HANDLED. DOES ANYONE REMEMBER WHEN THE SCHOOL BOARD DEEMED THE SCHOOL LUNCHES WERE GOING UP AND TO MY DISMAY, I READ IN THE CLINTON COURIER, JUST ABOUT THE TIME SCHOOL WAS TO BE DISMISSED FOR THE SUMMER, THAT EVERY DAY IN JUNE, JULY, THAT THERE WOULD BE FREE BREAKFAST AND LUNCHES TO EVERY SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN THAT SHOWED UP AT THE SCHOOLS. I BELIEVE, BUT I AM NOT COMPLETELY SURE, CLINTON MIDDLE WAS TO BE THE FIRST 2-3 WEEKS, NEXT LAKE CITY, LAST NORWOOD. I COULD NOT BELIEVE MY EYES. FIRST LUNCHES, GOING UP!!! NEXT, FREE BREAKFASTS & LUNCHES ALL SUMMER!! WHAT IS UP WITH THIS, AND HOW IN THE H-- COULD ANYONE KNOW HOW MUCH TO FIX IF YOU DON'T KNOW WHO IS COMING!! IS THERE ANYONE OUT THERE WHO HAS ANY IDEA HOW THIS GRAND GESTURE TURNED OUT? MY MONEY SAYS THEY HAD A TRUCK LOAD OF OVER PURCHASED SUPPLIES AND COULD NOT HOLD FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR. NOW WOULDN'T THAT BE A GRAND WAY TO SPEND PARENTS AND TAXPAYERS MONEY. I WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT THE WASTE CAME TO. MAYBE MRS. BURRELL COULD ENLIGHTEN ME ON THIS, PLEASE. FEEDING MY SIX KIDS IS EXPENSIVE, I CAN'T IMAGINE THE EXPENSE TO FEEDING ANY AND ALL SCHOOL AGE CHILDREN WHO MIGHT SHOW UP. OH YEAH, WE NEED CHANGE, AND I CERTAINLY HOPE THE GOOD FOLKS IN THE LAKE CITY (BURRELL DISTRICT) WAKE UP AND TAKE A STAND THE NEXT ELECTION. BURRELL NEEDS TO GOOOOOOOO !!!!!!!
I cannot figure out what you are upset about, or are you just venting? Your school board member should be able to answer how it turned out. Since there have been no complaints I guess it has worked. I am fortunate as my school board member is very competant and works hard for the children of Anderson County.
Dorothy there are many reasons why they are put on the priority list. The numbers out are for the 2007 year so this is old news. If a teacher is telling you they have a 90% grad rate then they will be off for 2008.
PI, I think that maybe the poster was referring to the fact that they raise breakfast and lunch prices, yet offer free breakfast and lunch throughout the summer at various schools. Seems like it kinda defeats the purpose. This department is really bad to serve 5th graders the same portion as Pre-K, I am pretty certain that appetites increase as children grow.
The main point is basically if you are tired of the "same ol' same ol'" then everyone should get out and vote to unseat their existing school board member. That means casting your vote for the other candidate!