Education Editorial Page

Your Homework Assignment   Updated January 26, 2006

You have the opportunity to further the cause of children's education not just at Sandtown, but also the high school that Sandtown feeds - Westlake High School as we continue to press the school board to rebuild it.  Our objective is to educate you on the issues to empower you to join the voices of those currently advocating for your children.  We need you to move beyond just hearing the issues and convert the tsunami of injustice into an effective response. Don’t take the position that completing your assignment is all or nothing.  Commit to completing one or better yet both of these PTSA assignments in October: 

1. Commit to write an email to the school board members and the school superintendent. Just write a few lines asking the board and superintendent what they are going to do about the issue of overcrowding for instance.  You don’t need to be eloquent; we just need consistent targeted messages. Demand the facilities and programs necessary to raise the quality of education and test scores for all of South Fulton County.  We want greatness for all of our children! Remember school and test scores are a means to an end – scholarships and children prepared to compete in college and in life.

2. Commit to attend at least one school board meeting every other month as you learn about the process and read the collateral we provide to bring you up to seed.  Imagine the impact of just 10% of the parent’s of 1,450 plus SMS students turning out at a board meeting.  There is power in numbers and that’s why they are getting their schools in North Fulton as we are absent because we’re too busy to further our children’s interests.  Your tax dollars are green also – aren’t they?

Community Board Member Meeting - Meeting Schedules

• Each Board Member conducts a community board meeting a few days before the month's pre-board and board meetings.
• The Board member will go through the agenda of the upcoming Board Meeting.
• This is your opportunity to hold your Board Member accountable.
• You are particularly encouraged to attend the community board meetings of Board President Gail Dean and Board VP Katie Reeves. They schedule theirs during the work day, so this requires sacrifice on your part if you work.

See what they are telling their constituents about South County.  Ask Gail and Katie what they have done for South County lately? Part of Gail Dean's district is in South County!

When they tell you they are moving forward on construction down here ask them by school, the following five questions:

1.  Has the land for the school been purchased?

2.  Are all phases of the school funded?  (land, design and construction)

3.  Have you planned for and funded required road improvements and connectivity?

4.  When will you break ground on construction?

5.  When will the school open?

School Board Meetings

Pre-Board Meeting – Pre-board meetings are on Tuesday and typically have workshops to work through the details and interact with the superintendent.   Typically board members discuss and seek information on items and define what they will be voted on in the Board meeting.  Sometimes based on the questions board members ask you get an idea of how they will vote on Thursday and you can lobby accordingly.

 Board Meeting – Board meetings start at 6:30 PM on Thursdays. This is the meeting where the board votes on the consent agenda agreed upon in the Pre-Board meeting. 

Locations - The Pre-Board and Board Meetings each alternate between north and south locations.  Either the Pre-Board or Board Meeting is at Hamilton Holmes ES every month.

Dunwoody Springs ES Directions  Though the meetings at Dunwoody Springs are up GA 400 – it is particularly important for us to have representation at north county meetings, because North County Board Members are know to pull a fast one in their domain.

Hamilton Holmes ES on Connally Drive a few minutes from Greenbriar Mall (Directions) A record turnout will let board members know we are committed to academic excellence in South County also.

The agenda is posted on Board Docs. To become familiar with the new Board Docs site, view this illustrated guide. The link to Board Docs and other Board related material is on the Board pull-down on www.fultonschools.org. These meetings are now paperless.  The agenda is projected on big screens, but they no long provide a hardcopy printout.  If you want a hardcopy to follow along be sure to print one from Board Docs in advance.

Meeting	Date/Time	Location	Address	Directions
Our Board Member Linda Bryant's Community Meeting	MON FEB 6 8:00 PM	SL Lewis ES	6201 Connell Road, College Park	Directions
Pre-Board Meeting	TUE FEB 7         Workshop  4:30 PM Legislative Meeting 6:30PM	Dunwoody Springs ES	8100 Roberts Drive, Sandy Springs Exit 7 GA-400	Directions
Board Meeting	THU FEB 9 6:30 PM	Hamilton Holmes ES	2301 Connally Drive, East Point	Directions

• Email School Board Members
• Email Fulton School Superintendent
• www.fultonschools.org

 

Education Background

·         Talking Points - The Facts on Growth and Construction  

·         Educational Update on South Fulton Schools

·         Latest Enrollment Numbers

·         Education Archives:

o        2005

o        2004

·         Board Events Calendar

 

 

 top of page