The Marietta Daily Journal - Shelter from the storm
The Marietta Daily Journal - Shelter from the storm
This place is so important. I have had students who stayed here and it really helped them. I urge everyone to find a way to help.
This place is so important. I have had students who stayed here and it really helped them. I urge everyone to find a way to help.
ProComp May Have Boosted Teacher Selection, Retention
ProComp May Have Boosted Teacher Selection, Retention
This is an interesting take on Merit Pay, take a read...
This is an interesting take on Merit Pay, take a read...
Busy Day
Today was one of those days where you leave home before 7am and don't get home until after 7pm! I started with a breakfast with Senator John Wiles, a wonderful man who I am proud to support. Next we met with Nathan Deal, candidate for Governor. He was a very polite gentleman who showed great knowledge of today's education system. His wife is a retired middle school teacher, so we really had a great deal (ha ha) in common. I think he would make an excellent Governor. Last, we went to a reception for Representative Judy Manning. Judy is great and we met some of the other people running around Cobb, like Sam Olens and Mark Butler. We also saw John Wiles again! I guess politics in Cobb is a small world!
Everyday I learn more about the politics of Cobb and of Georgia. It is very interesting and I love getting a chance to talk education to the people who influence our laws and policies. Be assured that I am out there working for you, CCAE!!
Everyday I learn more about the politics of Cobb and of Georgia. It is very interesting and I love getting a chance to talk education to the people who influence our laws and policies. Be assured that I am out there working for you, CCAE!!
Voter Guide - Be Informed!!
Here is a link from the AJC to enter your address and see a sample ballot for your area. Also included are facts and question/answers from the various candidates. Please be an informed voter!!!
AJC Voter Guide
AJC Voter Guide
Candidate for Governor, a supporter of Vouchers
Here is a quote from the AJC about Eric Johnson, Republican candidate for Governor. Do we really want a person who supports vouchers running our state???
As a member of the new leadership, Johnson held sway over legislation and pushed many of his own bills, including legislation to provide state money to parents to pay for private schools. Johnson was behind a law that provides vouchers to parents with children who have special needs. If elected, he promises to make vouchers available to all parents who want state help for private school tuition.
Democratic Dinner
Cyberschools approved: Georgia kids can have full K-12 experience | ajc.com
Cyberschools approved: Georgia kids can have full K-12 experience ajc.com
What do you think? Are these great opportunities for children, or just another drain on public school funding?
What do you think? Are these great opportunities for children, or just another drain on public school funding?
Rehiring 500 - a statement from Cobb County School District
There’s actually a simple explanation for why we are able to hire as many teachers. Since we began the layoffs, we’ve had an unexpectedly high level of attrition for normal reasons. This attrition has created vacancies that we are now able to fill. In many cases we’ll be able to fill those vacancies with teachers who had been laid off. We had hoped there would be some attrition, but we did not know there would be this much. Remember that state law requires school districts to extend contracts to teachers by May 15, so we actually began the layoffs back in April. Since then, we’ve had more than 300 regular teachers leave for normal reasons (relocation, retirement, etc.). Another 130 special education teacher vacancies have opened, as well as 60 part-time positions. The timing of the layoffs is tied to the budget approval and the requirement that teacher contracts be extended by May 15. In the meantime, additional vacancies are created when teachers leave for other reasons. We cannot know in advance who will leave, and how many. It is unfortunate that any teachers had to be laid off, but it is truly great news that we are now able to hire many of them back.
Interesting Political Information from the MDJ
Here are a couple of excerpts from today's Marietta Daily Journal articles on local political races.
Candidate Q & A: House District 39 (Alisha Morgan/Betty Gray)
Q. Do you favor a state law that would outlaw furlough days for teachers in the future?
Morgan: Georgia's corps of dedicated public school teachers stand everyday on the front lines of our battle for the future of Georgia's children, and should be commended for their commitment. Adequately funding our education system is critical to ensuring that our kids enter the adult world college and career-ready, and our budget should reflect that creed. However, while I do not support the furloughing of any governmental employee, I do recognize in these difficult economic times that municipalities, counties, and our state governments need the flexibility to make these fiscal calculations for situations as they arise. I believe it's premature to codify a long-term "solution" for a short-term problem, and that we should focus our energies instead on how best to support our most constrained systems in their time of financial crisis.
Gray: Yes.
Q. What do you think will be the biggest issue facing the General Assembly in 2011?
Morgan: I think that optimizing our shallow state budget to continue meeting the needs of Georgians, and finding solutions to fill the hole left by a persistent drop in state revenue, projected to be even worse next year, will be the paramount objective of next year's legislature.
Gray: EDUCATION.
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Candidate Q A House District 39
Candidate Q & A: Senate District 32 (Judson Hill/Lynda Coker)
Q. Do you favor a state law that would outlaw furlough days for teachers in the future?
Hill: I have been endorsed for re-election by the Cobb teachers and educators for my support of and stand for education. Education is one of mine and our state's highest priorities; and we must continue to fully fund it. Education for K-12 is predominately funded by local communities. States and many local communities have strayed from their priorities and spent money on non-essential education programs. Rather than first raise taxes or lock in mandatory programs or benefits, the State and local leaders must first assess determine what services are essential functions and then prioritize spending for teachers and classroom based on these programs rather than spend more money on a bloated bureaucracy or on astro-turf for over a dozen high school sports fields. Local school systems should retain the flexibility to prioritize classroom-based services. Local school system must have options to balance their local budgets without state government interference.
Coker: I am not in favor of furloughing teachers. Continuity and consistency in the instructional delivery of curriculum and educational objectives is critical to the success of K-12 education in our state. In my opinion, disrupting the educational process of our children is detrimental to their academic growth and development and should not occur.
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Candidate Q A Senate District
Candidate Q & A: House District 32 (Judy Manning/Buddy Simpson)
Q. Do you favor a state law that would outlaw furlough days for teachers in the future?
Manning: As Chair of the Children and Youth Committee, I do not advocate that any of our children miss school because of budget shortfalls. It is essential that we put education first if we want a bright future for our state and country. Furloughing teachers is a symptom of a greater problem. We need to tackle the problem, not treat the symptoms.
Simpson: No, furloughs save the state money.
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Candidate Q A House District 32
Candidate Q & A: House District 39 (Alisha Morgan/Betty Gray)
Q. Do you favor a state law that would outlaw furlough days for teachers in the future?
Morgan: Georgia's corps of dedicated public school teachers stand everyday on the front lines of our battle for the future of Georgia's children, and should be commended for their commitment. Adequately funding our education system is critical to ensuring that our kids enter the adult world college and career-ready, and our budget should reflect that creed. However, while I do not support the furloughing of any governmental employee, I do recognize in these difficult economic times that municipalities, counties, and our state governments need the flexibility to make these fiscal calculations for situations as they arise. I believe it's premature to codify a long-term "solution" for a short-term problem, and that we should focus our energies instead on how best to support our most constrained systems in their time of financial crisis.
Gray: Yes.
Q. What do you think will be the biggest issue facing the General Assembly in 2011?
Morgan: I think that optimizing our shallow state budget to continue meeting the needs of Georgians, and finding solutions to fill the hole left by a persistent drop in state revenue, projected to be even worse next year, will be the paramount objective of next year's legislature.
Gray: EDUCATION.
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Candidate Q A House District 39
Candidate Q & A: Senate District 32 (Judson Hill/Lynda Coker)
Q. Do you favor a state law that would outlaw furlough days for teachers in the future?
Hill: I have been endorsed for re-election by the Cobb teachers and educators for my support of and stand for education. Education is one of mine and our state's highest priorities; and we must continue to fully fund it. Education for K-12 is predominately funded by local communities. States and many local communities have strayed from their priorities and spent money on non-essential education programs. Rather than first raise taxes or lock in mandatory programs or benefits, the State and local leaders must first assess determine what services are essential functions and then prioritize spending for teachers and classroom based on these programs rather than spend more money on a bloated bureaucracy or on astro-turf for over a dozen high school sports fields. Local school systems should retain the flexibility to prioritize classroom-based services. Local school system must have options to balance their local budgets without state government interference.
Coker: I am not in favor of furloughing teachers. Continuity and consistency in the instructional delivery of curriculum and educational objectives is critical to the success of K-12 education in our state. In my opinion, disrupting the educational process of our children is detrimental to their academic growth and development and should not occur.
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Candidate Q A Senate District
Candidate Q & A: House District 32 (Judy Manning/Buddy Simpson)
Q. Do you favor a state law that would outlaw furlough days for teachers in the future?
Manning: As Chair of the Children and Youth Committee, I do not advocate that any of our children miss school because of budget shortfalls. It is essential that we put education first if we want a bright future for our state and country. Furloughing teachers is a symptom of a greater problem. We need to tackle the problem, not treat the symptoms.
Simpson: No, furloughs save the state money.
Read more: The Marietta Daily Journal - Candidate Q A House District 32
The Marietta Daily Journal - Governor vetoes funding for KSU Clarkdale Elementary
The Marietta Daily Journal - Governor vetoes funding for KSU Clarkdale Elementary
I am very disappointed in the Governor for vetoing anything that has to do with Cobb. Really? Rebuilding Clarksdale is not about politics, it is about children having a school to attend, about rebuilding a school that was destroyed by a natural disaster, it is about Cobb not having to shoulder all the cost. Thanks to the Cobb Politicians who spoke out against this veto, State Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) and State Rep. Don Parsons (R-East Cobb).
I am very disappointed in the Governor for vetoing anything that has to do with Cobb. Really? Rebuilding Clarksdale is not about politics, it is about children having a school to attend, about rebuilding a school that was destroyed by a natural disaster, it is about Cobb not having to shoulder all the cost. Thanks to the Cobb Politicians who spoke out against this veto, State Rep. Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) and State Rep. Don Parsons (R-East Cobb).
New Office is Official
Today was so exciting for me, I got the keys to the new office!! It is official, we are in the new office!! Of course I have to arrange to turn on power, get the new business license, meet with the fire marshall to get a certificate of occupancy, change over the renters insurance, pack the old office, move everything, make sure the new address is on all our materials, unpack and rearrange, and buy the new furniture we need, and get the office up and running. But all that can wait while I revel in the joy of a new office, one that has great parking, professional appearance, great windows, and is CHEAPER!!! well, at least until tomorrow morning when I start that list!
The Marietta Daily Journal - It s official Oakwood to become digital academy
The Marietta Daily Journal - It s official Oakwood to become digital academy
So sad to see a school that has done so much good for so many children, end in this manner. Goodbye Oakwood
So sad to see a school that has done so much good for so many children, end in this manner. Goodbye Oakwood
Training Fun!!
I am on lunch break from the training here in DC and wanted to update everyone. First, the training is great. Love meeting and connecting with other new presidents of large locals. It is so comforting to hear that other people are having the same challenges, questions, and to hear other solutions. Last night we got to go to the NEA building and meet Vice-President Lily Eskelsen! I will post a picture later today. Thanks again to the people who trusted me to represent and lead them!!
Training - Off to DC
I am off to Washington DC to receive training for new presidents of large locals. I am very excited about the training and about being in DC. As some of you may know, I moved to Georgia from the DC area 8 years ago. I love DC, all the things to do, the history, but.... hate the cost of living and the winter!! I will still be in touch while I am gone, so don't hesitate to contact me if you need anything!
National core standards make long-awaited debut tomorrow in Georgia
National core standards make long-awaited debut tomorrow in Georgia
I am an avid reader of the get schooled blog on the AJC. Today I was reading the posts about the new standards, the fact that another school district is in danger of losing accreditation, and the NEW Race to the Top application. Great place to get information! Thanks Maureen!
I am an avid reader of the get schooled blog on the AJC. Today I was reading the posts about the new standards, the fact that another school district is in danger of losing accreditation, and the NEW Race to the Top application. Great place to get information! Thanks Maureen!
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