The Cobb County Association of Educators is an advocacy organization for education professionals. We are a division of the Georgia Association of Educators and the National Education Association and are committed to great public schools for all children!
Board votes no to calendar policy changes
Board votes
no to calendar
policy changes: MARIETTA — It’s back to the drawing board for the Cobb County School District in regards to policy changes to the school calendar after the school board voted not to approve the changes as recommen...
no to calendar
policy changes: MARIETTA — It’s back to the drawing board for the Cobb County School District in regards to policy changes to the school calendar after the school board voted not to approve the changes as recommen...
Most parents against changing schools in redistricting proposal for Smyrna area
Most parents against changing schools in redistricting proposal for Smyrna area: SMYRNA — King Springs Elementary School supporters accounted for more than half of the crowd at the Cobb County School District’s second public forum for redistricting Wednesday night. Phase 2 of ...
School board to trim legislative wish list
School board to trim legislative wish list: MARIETTA — The Cobb County school board will tweak its legislative wish list at Thursday night’s board meeting in preparation for a November meeting with the Cobb delegation. After starting with a...
Talk of closing has Sky View backers sky high in protest
Talk of closing has Sky View backers sky high in protest: MABLETON – The message from Sky View Elementary School supporters to the Cobb County School District on Tuesday night was loud and clear: “Bigger is not better.” The first of two public forums reg...
Cobb Chamber celebrates Teachers of the Year | ajc.com
CCAE is a proud sponsor of this event and a member of the Cobb Chamber. I serve on the education committee and on this event committee. It is a wonderful way to celebrate our teachers!!
Cobb Chamber celebrates Teachers of the Year ajc.com
Cobb Chamber celebrates Teachers of the Year ajc.com
Cobb could shuffle students at 25 schools in largest redistricting effort ever in CCSD
Cobb could shuffle students at 25 schools in largest redistricting effort ever in CCSD: MARIETTA - The proposed closure of three south Cobb schools and the expansion of two more could trigger one of the biggest shuffling of students the district has ever done. About 15,000 students a...
Redistricting to close 3 Cobb elementaries
Redistricting to close 3 Cobb elementaries: MARIETTA — With its first redistricting since 2008, the Cobb County School District has recommended the closure of three elementary schools in south Cobb over the next two school years. According ...
CCSD Budget
Dear Members,
On Wednesday, the district's Chief Financial Officer presented a budget update to the Board of Education that was less than encouraging. During the presentation at the school board work session, CFO Mike Addison said the district is facing a $72 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2012 based on very rough estimates. A discussion ensued during which it was pointed out that 90 percent of the district's operating budget is personnel costs and, therefore, the only way to find $72 million is to cut positions. On the front Metro section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the following day was a large headline that said "Budget Cuts Loom For Cobb Schools".
Some among us have already begun to panic and fear for their jobs. In fact, there are some among us who are using this information to exploit the situation so as to create as much fear and panic as possible. My advice is that we should, instead, calm down and view the situation rationally. Let's consider some of the facts before we lose our heads.
There is no question that the district will be facing a large deficit of tens of millions of dollars, but let's keep some other facts in mind:
While the Marietta school system may be fortunate enough to be able to approve a one-time bonus for all employees, that kind of move is not likely to happen in Cobb. Why? Because in order to make the one-time payment, it is likely that Marietta drew down its reserves by more than $400,000 (how they were able to do that, no one seems to know. These funds weren't budgeted.). A similar move in Cobb County would mean drawing down reserves more than $4 million! That would an irresponsible move with so much uncertainty on the horizon. In fact, if I had to guess, it is probably more likely that Cobb employees will be looking at a repeat of this year – some furlough days and reduced step increases. We will work with the District and the School Board to make those cuts as small as possible, just like we did last year. But let's not panic about job cuts just yet. There is no reason why the rest of the deficit, whatever it may turn out to be, can't be addressed with excess SPLOST II funds and reserve funds.
Folks, CCAE will watch this budget process through to the end very carefully. Along the way we will find out where we really stand, but not in October. It's way too early to tell right now.
Thank you,
Connie Jackson
President
Cobb County Assoc. of Educators
On Wednesday, the district's Chief Financial Officer presented a budget update to the Board of Education that was less than encouraging. During the presentation at the school board work session, CFO Mike Addison said the district is facing a $72 million deficit for Fiscal Year 2012 based on very rough estimates. A discussion ensued during which it was pointed out that 90 percent of the district's operating budget is personnel costs and, therefore, the only way to find $72 million is to cut positions. On the front Metro section of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution the following day was a large headline that said "Budget Cuts Loom For Cobb Schools".
Some among us have already begun to panic and fear for their jobs. In fact, there are some among us who are using this information to exploit the situation so as to create as much fear and panic as possible. My advice is that we should, instead, calm down and view the situation rationally. Let's consider some of the facts before we lose our heads.
- First, Mr. Addison would not have delivered this report so soon except that this year he was asked by the school board to begin giving budget development reports in October. Typically, real budget discussions don't even start until after the new year, and typically Mr. Addison's budget development updates to the board have begun around March. But the new school board members requested that he begin the process in October – waaaay before any budget data is even available.
- The budget we are talking about won't be approved until June 2012!
- The budget committee won't begin talking seriously about budget steps until next spring.
- The district's operating budget has two sources of revenue: 1) state funding, and 2) local property tax.
- We will have no idea what state funding is available until the Legislature begins meeting in January, and no hard numbers will be available until at least March. Mr. Addison's assumptions were based on a continuation of last year's trend, but right now there is no way to say for certain what state funding will look like. No one is expecting the state to begin restoring austerity cuts, but it is at least encouraging that the Cobb County legislators have requested a personal meeting with Superintendent Hinojosa and board members before the session begins. That's an encouraging sign, and certainly a better indicator than in previous years when the two groups have barely communicated at all.
- Local revenue is even more difficult to predict. The county Tax Assessor does not give the district any information about property tax collections until March, and even that figure is just a preliminary estimate. The actual collections aren't known with any real accuracy until at least June. Mr. Addison's $72 million estimate was based on a decline in collections 2 percent more than what actually occurred this year.
There is no question that the district will be facing a large deficit of tens of millions of dollars, but let's keep some other facts in mind:
- The district is already at or beyond maximum class size allowed by the state, as averaged across the district. The only way to reduce costs by tens of millions is to cut hundreds of teaching positions. That would require a massive increase in class sizes, which would mean getting yet another waiver from the state. The public reaction to such large class sizes would be overwhelmingly negative, and the school board would face a lot of pressure not to implement another large-scale RIF.
- For the past two years, the school board has used excess funds remaining from SPLOST II to help balance the budget. There is still more than $20 million available to use for that purpose with the next budget.
- The district currently has reserves of nearly $80 million.
While the Marietta school system may be fortunate enough to be able to approve a one-time bonus for all employees, that kind of move is not likely to happen in Cobb. Why? Because in order to make the one-time payment, it is likely that Marietta drew down its reserves by more than $400,000 (how they were able to do that, no one seems to know. These funds weren't budgeted.). A similar move in Cobb County would mean drawing down reserves more than $4 million! That would an irresponsible move with so much uncertainty on the horizon. In fact, if I had to guess, it is probably more likely that Cobb employees will be looking at a repeat of this year – some furlough days and reduced step increases. We will work with the District and the School Board to make those cuts as small as possible, just like we did last year. But let's not panic about job cuts just yet. There is no reason why the rest of the deficit, whatever it may turn out to be, can't be addressed with excess SPLOST II funds and reserve funds.
Folks, CCAE will watch this budget process through to the end very carefully. Along the way we will find out where we really stand, but not in October. It's way too early to tell right now.
Thank you,
Connie Jackson
President
Cobb County Assoc. of Educators
Grant Writing Basics
Grant Writing Basics
Saturday, October 22, 10:00-11:30am
Barnes & Noble Buckhead
Curious about how your school or educational program might begin to seek private funding? Come hear a representative from the Foundation Center-Atlanta discuss the basics of grantseeking and the proposal writing process, including an overview of the different types of private grantmakers, techniques and tools for researching potential funders, and the elements of a standard funding proposal.
The presentation will address:
• How the proposal fits into the overall grantseeking process
• What to include in a standard proposal to a foundation
• Tips for making each section of your proposal stronger
• What funders expect to see in your proposal and attachments
• Tips for communicating with funders during the grant process
• Additional resources on proposal writing, including sample proposals
The session will also highlight the Foundation Center's many resources for nonprofit and individual grantseekers, including the GrantSpace online learning community.
Event information and directions to the store are also available here:
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3120670
Saturday, October 22, 10:00-11:30am
Barnes & Noble Buckhead
Curious about how your school or educational program might begin to seek private funding? Come hear a representative from the Foundation Center-Atlanta discuss the basics of grantseeking and the proposal writing process, including an overview of the different types of private grantmakers, techniques and tools for researching potential funders, and the elements of a standard funding proposal.
The presentation will address:
• How the proposal fits into the overall grantseeking process
• What to include in a standard proposal to a foundation
• Tips for making each section of your proposal stronger
• What funders expect to see in your proposal and attachments
• Tips for communicating with funders during the grant process
• Additional resources on proposal writing, including sample proposals
The session will also highlight the Foundation Center's many resources for nonprofit and individual grantseekers, including the GrantSpace online learning community.
Event information and directions to the store are also available here:
http://store-locator.barnesandnoble.com/event/3120670
Budget cuts for Cobb schools loom | ajc.com
Budget cuts for Cobb schools loom ajc.com
Although the news sounds bad, and it is, it is far too early for us to get up in arms. But, we must remain vigilant to ensure when the cuts come that they don't affect the quality of education we have in Cobb. CCAE is the only association to consistently attend the school board meetings and to ensure that we are protecting and advocating for our members. Actions speak louder than words!!
Although the news sounds bad, and it is, it is far too early for us to get up in arms. But, we must remain vigilant to ensure when the cuts come that they don't affect the quality of education we have in Cobb. CCAE is the only association to consistently attend the school board meetings and to ensure that we are protecting and advocating for our members. Actions speak louder than words!!
School board will consider adopting calendar policies
School board will consider adopting calendar policies: MARIETTA — In an effort to avoid further divisive debate surrounding the school calendar, Cobb Superintendent Dr. Michael Hinojosa and the school board will consider adopting policies about changin...
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