School opening delayed until Aug. 3

School opening delayed until Aug. 3

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Friday, July 24. 2009

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In an email sent to all school employees by Dr. Bill Truby this morning major news effecting the Lamar County school system has recently been delivered.

Governor Perdue called all superintendents to inform them that state education funding, QBE, had been hit by another loss of 3% or roughly $450,000. Additionally, school employees have been mandated to take 3 furlough days.

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#1 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 11:21 AM

I find that picture of a white boy racist ....LOL... Just kidding, could not help myself! LOL!

#2 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 11:46 AM

Gee, thanks for the advance notice.

#3 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 12:16 PM

Give Purdue another year and school will start Sept 5, and end on Sept 10

But who needs learning when the preacher just tell me what to do and think.

#3.1 Andy on 07/23/09 at 03:53 PM

Why do the kids need to go to school anyway? They can learn how to take the CRCT at home or online. That's all they are teaching my kids anyway, how to take that test. They don't teach them how to do math, or anything about history, or how to read anything besides the score sheet. I'm so sick of hearing about CRCT & AYP. As long as the school gets good marks there they don't care about anything else.

#3.1.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 04:48 PM

I hate that you feel that way. There are a lot of teachers out there that DO teach students and spend restless nights trying to figure out different ways to reach their children. Yes we are being pushed from "higher up" to meet standards on this test but that doesn't take away from true education in the classroom. I'm sure your child is being taught more than you think or want to admit. Otherwise, you would homeschool your child because they didn't know how to read, write, or do math. With parents conveying this kind of attitude towards teachers it's no wonder we aren't respected by the students in our classroom. Parents are the first teachers in a child's life. Remember that they do see and do what you do.

#3.1.1.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 05:52 PM

Homeschool in Lamar County, yeah right, they criminalize that here!

#3.1.1.2 Andy on 07/24/09 at 08:00 AM

I know that there are good teachers in our schools (at least most of them). It's the attitude of the administration that makes me believe this. All you ever hear is CRCT or AYP. I look at the homework my kids bring home every night (yes, I care enough to know what they are doing) and I don't see it teaching them things because they might need it later in life. All I see is CRCT preparation material. Every phone call from the schools refers to the CRCT. I just think that too much emphasis is being placed on those two things and not enough on things that the students might actually use later in life.

#4 Brooke on 07/22/09 at 12:16 PM

I was wondering why the school year was starting before the tax-free weekend. Guess they fixed that!

#4.1 It's Me on 07/24/09 at 08:48 AM

Ummm, it has been for several years now. Lamar County has no control over the dates the governor approves.

#5 Lisa on 07/22/09 at 12:25 PM

Starting on a Monday will be smarter,anyway.

#6 anonymous on 07/22/09 at 12:37 PM

Are you sure its not because Monroe just closed and we need to find 83 more spots for new students?

Oh well, at least my kid gets two more days of summer. It was way too short anyway!

#6.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 07:25 AM

No-they are all going to Tattnall in Macon- you may only need three or four spots......surely that won't take you three days to figure out???

#7 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 02:23 PM

I'm glad to see Perdue is fixing the problem now verses pulling a California and wait till its to late. He's been cutting back since he's been in office and I commend him for that. I'm all for education but I feel we spend way to much money on it.

#8 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 02:55 PM

What?

#9 Don Quixote on Mars on 07/22/09 at 02:56 PM

I thought Republicans believed in the sanctity of contract law as a general principal. Didn't teachers sign contracts agreeing to a set amount of compensation? And now that is being cut unilaterally by the Republican governor? As usual, I guess they got the word wrong--the Republican Party instead must believe in the sanctinmoniousness of contracts. They are hypocrites until the end.

By the way, "perdue" means "lost" in French, and France, by the way, has a fine national health care system even if it does refuse to support the jingoist foreign policy of the USA and George Bush. Next year, the contracts might be written in Euros.

#9.1 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 03:38 PM

Whatever!

#9.2 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 04:45 PM

Who cares about the French? According to the history books, the French gave up in WWII and let the Nazis HAVE their country. Maybe that's where they got their idea for SOCIALIST health care. (For all the people that didn't get that, please note the above sentence is an example of sarcasm.)But then judging by your name, you are a disillusioned Spaniard that attacks windmills (apparently on Mars).

#9.2.1 Solo on 07/23/09 at 08:41 AM

Read some history. The French financed our American Revolution and we are deeply indebted to them for their assistance with funds as well as troops, naval support, and leadership(The Marquis de Lafayette). Don't be so fast to call everything Socialist. Socialism calls for the common ownership of all business enterprise and equal distribution of wealth. If we, the wealthiest nation on earth, can afford to provide health care for all our citizens, that is not Socialism. For a change try attacking the problem rather than the solution. The problem is greedy insurance companies and their executives, greedy medical providers, and greedy drug manufacturers.

#9.2.1.1 Jim Bowman on 07/23/09 at 01:05 PM

You are correct that the French helped greatly with our revolutionaly war, but we came to their rescue in WWI and WWII. Also it was the French who were in Vietnam before we were. I think we are more than payed off for their help.

#9.2.1.1.1 Solo on 07/23/09 at 01:41 PM

Who can put a price on the liberty that we enjoy? I agree. There has been a mutual benefit from our friendship with the French. It bothers me greatly to hear someone say that they are cowards or that they gave up to the Germans.

#9.2.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 04:08 PM

You're right, the French didn't give up to the Germans. They just became the victims of a brief war in which they changed sides so they would not suffer as much at the hands of the Germans. Then decided to sell themselves out by becoming a puppet for the Germans.

I agree that the French USED TO BE powerful, but after the American Revolution they fell apart (the French Revolution from 1789-1799). I know they were ripped apart more than anyone else during WWI and did not want another war, but they hardly put a fight with Hitler. Therefore, I think the French are COWARDS!!

#9.3 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 06:11 PM

You are an idiot!!! Maybe they should send ungrateful "Americans" like yourself overseas and leave the guys who love America here. It would be even better if you are on the front line instead of those who actually wanna protect your sorry a**!!!

#9.3.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 07:04 AM

It is neither ungrateful nor a lack of love for America when one tells the truth.

#9.4 wdm on 07/22/09 at 10:21 PM

Is it more fair to spread the necessary cuts evenly amongst all employees or do you fire, and leave unemployed, 3% to 5% of the educational systems workforce? I don't know specific numbers but that move would probably send unemployment through the roof. To see what believing in "sanctity of contract law" will get you please read the California newspapers online. These people wish they were getting paid with euros, they are getting IOU's. And interesting enough Don Quixote on Mars, the only bright spot in Obama's present agenda is Afghanistan where he has basically kept Bush's foriegn policy intact. Just remember, we don't care how they do it France, this is America.

#10 cats on 07/22/09 at 03:19 PM

I just heard the sound of a thousand children giggling with glee.

#11 anony on 07/22/09 at 04:22 PM

I was pondering the contract issue myself. The contract guarantees 190 days of pay by no specific job. Wonder how they are going to get around that issue?

#11.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 02:09 PM

in a teacher contract there is a clause that states pay can be assets to the state pay scale, Thus it does not matter how much you are to be paid if the state changes the scale it they have to except it.

Joe Frank Harris did the same thing many years ago. He gave the teachers a 3% raise and a few months after it took effect he realized he could not pay for it and took it away.

#12 It's Me on 07/22/09 at 04:27 PM

And of course 1/2 days affect parents more than it does the schools since they have to tale off work for the younger children. It would have made more sense to simply start on Tuesday and leave the rest of the school year alone. Our school calendar is already messed up enough with the shorter summer and week long breaks randomly inserted during the year where we have to find child care in order to work and make the money to pay bills. I personally think someone should have thought that through a bit more before making these changes.

#12.1 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 05:10 PM

The 1/2 days for the kids were already in the calendar. The teachers were supposed to stay the remainder of the day, but this will allow the teachers to leave as the children do on 2 of those days. As for the contracts, they were signed with no dollar amount on them. Teachers knew this and are just thankful they (WE) have jobs!

#12.2 anon on 07/22/09 at 07:08 PM

Read article again. They are cutting 2 half days already scheduled to make a whole furlough day.

#12.2.1 It's Me on 07/22/09 at 08:56 PM

Perhaps you should read it again?

"Additionally, the school system will have 1/2 days of school on October 9th and December 18th."

#12.2.1.1 anon on 07/23/09 at 05:57 AM

Oops...you're right. Got myself confused. Sorry.

#13 anonymous on 07/22/09 at 05:40 PM

I think it is rediculous that the schools ever changed the schedules to begin with. When I was in school we got out for three full months and started back in September. Now the kids only get two months and they throw all these week breaks in there throughout the year. I hate it! Makes it hard on working parents. I wish they would go back to the old ways when kids were off the "summer" not "part of summer".

#13.1 It's Me on 07/23/09 at 03:11 PM

I completely agree. They really added a huge burdon on working parents when they changed our school schedule to be more like a neighboring county a while back. The parents had absolutely no say in that decision.

Thank you anon :)

#14 i'm just sayin... on 07/22/09 at 08:55 PM

I teach in Thomaston and we are having to take furlough days as well. But I'm not complaining...its better than a permanent layoff. So I still feel blessed to have my job!

#15 Anonymous on 07/22/09 at 09:40 PM

I understand them wanting to make cutbacks and have more money and have no problem with 2 extra days of summer. I do have a problem with the following.......Want to make cutbacks, hmmm, let's see. Cut back on gas. Have the county and school employees drive their own vehicles to and from work inclucing school bus drivers. I have been told by employees they will use the gas up they are not paying for it so why not. Also, there are too many "special ed" teachers in the system. I understand having special ed teachers, there is a need, but not all these that just walk around all day to "help." Also, Why do we still pay coaches of teams or an A.D. that doesn't have any other job? only to coach or see after the sports programs? It would be different if they actually taught a class, but just to have them to have a title. Please. If they looked at this differently that's ALOT of money that could be saved!!!!!!! Just saying.......

#15.1 Special Education Teacher on 07/23/09 at 03:10 AM

Did you know a Special Education teacher is MORE qualified than a Regular Education teacher?Special Education teacher's hold certification in "Special Education" which is all about laws, disabilities, learning style inventories, differentiated instruction etc.; as well as, a Special Education teacher must be certified in all areas that they teach.

A Special Education teacher teaches 4 to 5 different classes in a day. In other words, they may teach an 8th grade Language Arts Class, a 6th grade Language Arts class, a seventh grade Science class and an 8th grade Math class each day. That is...writing 4 different lesson plans and being highly qualified in those subjects.

Special Education Teacher's don't choose the classes that they WANT to teach. Each year they study the children with disabilities and make schedules according to the specific needs of each child.

Special Education teacher's also have lots and lots of paperwork to complete on an on-going basis that is bound by Federal Law.

Yes...you probably could reduce a regular education teacher position before a special education teacher position.

Bottom line is we truly need more teachers and, teachers need to be paid much much more for ALL THAT THEY DO!!!!!!

#15.1.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 08:11 AM

Ma'am I did say there is a need for special education teachers, I'm talking about all this parapros that call themselves special education teachers. The ones espescially that have no qualification or any schooling. There is a GREAT need for all teachers, but they need to be qualified. I agree teachers should be paid more. I'm just saying there are other ways than what they are doing to fix the budget. I know that one school lost a few teachers this year and I think BEFORE they add to classes and get rid of teachers they need to start with some positions that really aren't needed. I know of one position that someone is paid close to $80.000 to walk around all day and talk on a cell phone. They only have a title that they are there to fill, not a job. That to me is a waste of money when they could use that for another teacher to have another classroom. That's all I'm saying. I apologize if I offended you in any way.

#15.1.2 jsimmons on 07/23/09 at 09:07 AM

Very well said. You could not pay me enough to do that job - I don't have the heart!

#15.1.3 Grammit on 07/23/09 at 10:08 AM

Uhhh, "Teacher,"

Teachers is plural...not possessive. Not Teacher's.

Just sayin'...

#15.1.3.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 11:53 AM

Please forgive me...I know the difference. Check the time that this was written. I had just received some sad news 2 hours before...I was unable to sleep.

#16 Harry Woodall on 07/23/09 at 02:24 AM

Well, Its affecting everyone especially here in this area. But we should all feel so grateful that the Governor ahs elected to build his fishing hole in Perry at 19 Million dollars that could be stopped and help schools.

#17 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 10:15 AM

California is in trouble for many reasons.

They deregulated their socialized government regulated electrical generation system, and now that it is privately controlled no one can afford electricity when there is enough available.

They have far too many illegal aliens sapping the medical and educational system. The illegals and welfare people enjoy free medical while working people can't afford it.

They pay special teachers for Spanish.

They have large numbers of non-working people on state aid.

High tech industries are moving to other countries. Of course that is happening in Atlanta, IBM in Atlanta is closing and transferring all the high tech jobs to China.

Get used to it people. This is what massive deregulation and free movement of people and goods across borders creates. This isn't the 1960's or earlier any more. It is everything global where the cheapest bidder gets the jobs and the people who don't work or aren't even citizens have all the free medical.

#18 Solo on 07/23/09 at 02:57 PM

Pardon my having to ask, but just what does the average teacher earn for working nine months of the year with long vacations at holiday seasons?

#18.1 anon on 07/23/09 at 03:22 PM

If you want, look it up here...

https://www.audits.state.ga.us/

#18.2 Andy on 07/23/09 at 03:55 PM

Alot more than I make risking my life to protect them.

#18.2.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 04:09 PM

Then I guess you chose the wrong profession. Go to school.

#18.2.1.1 Andy on 07/24/09 at 08:05 AM

I'll try to remember that the next time your house is on fire or you're stuck in that mangled up car bleeding to death. And I did go to school. To 18.2.3 I guess that's what you get with a Lamar County education. At least you understood what I said which is more than I can say for some people who post on this site.

#18.2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 07/24/09 at 11:03 AM

I was not implying that you did not have an important job. Only that you knew what you were getting in to. Your comments are riddled with self hate? I wonder why?

#18.2.2 It's Me on 07/23/09 at 06:31 PM

DITTO

#18.2.3 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 11:19 PM

Teachers also know that 'a lot' is two words.

#19 Bubba Smith on 07/23/09 at 04:50 PM

Get a degree in a teaching field, pass mandatory test, make sure all of your student loans are current or paid in full, don't be behind in child support, no felonies or multiple DUI/DWI, submit to background checks every 5 years, continue your education by earning 6 semester hours every 5 years, deal with that one rude student who is supported by his parents because he can never do wrong and then you too may become a teacher. Unless you have walked in their shoes, don't complain.

#19.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 07:19 PM

Amen. It's a tough job especially these days when kids do no wrong and teachers can't discipline them.

#20 Solo on 07/23/09 at 06:48 PM

So, can't anybody give me a straight answer? How much do they make?

#20.1 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 08:58 PM

a teacher anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 per year depending on level of education, and timed served. Now College Professors are a different story they can make anywhere from 24,000 to 300,000, depending on the field they teach and how valuable they would be in the public sector.

#20.2 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 09:18 PM

Beginning teacher, straight out of college with a four year degree makes about $34,000 a year. It can be more depending on the system they teach in. This is the state base. Each system has a supplement. Local Lamar County supplement is very low.

#20.2.1 re tired on 07/24/09 at 08:57 PM

Unless you are a retired teacher who has been asked to return for a specific job you are qualified. Then you are only offered a 1st year teacher salary... SAD!!!

#20.3 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 09:24 PM

average between 30 and 40k i think

#20.4 Anonymous on 07/23/09 at 11:02 PM

If you need a more definitive answer google "state of Georgia teacher salary schedule." A teacher with a 4-year degree is considered a Professional T-4. You'll notice there are no pay increases after 21 years of service unless a raise is given across the board.

#20.5 anon on 07/24/09 at 07:20 AM

Using link I posted you can see exactly what every public school employee in state makes. If you really want to know, look them up!

#21 Anonymous on 07/24/09 at 09:54 AM

$34k for a degreed teacher? you could run the local IDA and make $100K a year with no degree.

#22 Anonymous on 07/24/09 at 10:25 AM

We don't know whats in it. School bus cuts? 3%.

#23 Anonymous on 07/24/09 at 10:44 AM

Why obama? School bus cuts. Pike County teachers cuts or Pike County schools closed? What going on?

#23.1 Anonymous on 07/24/09 at 01:29 PM

This is the system we wanted.

Years ago the federal government started cutting public school funding. The goal was to tone down Federal involvement. Our country also changed to school vouchers which saps some money from public schools so people who choose to and can afford a private school can get a little of their tax money back.

We should be happy we are shifting away from a socialist public school system and toward an independent local taxpayer controlled system. Other than forcing meaningless tests and ratings on schools through no child left behind, the Feds have less to do with our local school system than ever in the past.

This like deregulated natural gas system, or like California has been enjoying deregulated electrical generation and distribution. Rather than a large national pool and uniform regulation is is more and more up to locals to handle.

Dry your eyes and enjoy the increased local control. Don't keep expecting the Feds to bail out what we should be controlling locally. No one wants a nationally funded socialist school system. Either either increase local taxes or state taxes or we cut money to the schools. We are tenth or so right now in the world, so we can easily afford to slack off a little more.

#23.1.1 Anonymous on 07/24/09 at 02:39 PM

We don't know. We don't need Obama.

#24 Anonymous on 07/25/09 at 12:10 AM

The high school gets a new stadium but the high school opens 3 days late and fails AYP from lack of money or learning resources. Tell me what is wrong with this picture.

#24.1 Anonymous on 07/25/09 at 06:51 AM

Please don't misplace blame. Not one red cent that could have been used for learning resources is being spent on the new stadium. It is funded by SPLOST. If you don't like the way SPLOST funds are used, don't blame the local school system; instead take it up with your state representative.

The failure of the schools academically is a direct result of the failure of families. I won't go off on a tangent about it, but school systems cannot pick up the slack of poor parenting and still keep up with the academics. Too much time is spent on those who'd rather be stealing and dealing than taking full advantage of the education that is being offered to them free.

#24.2 Anonymous on 07/25/09 at 01:39 PM

What is wrong with this picture is your perception of the reasons as to why this is happening... It's state mandate, 'D-A'. Go back under your rock.

#24.2.1 Bubba Smith on 07/26/09 at 07:53 PM

But remember, if you coach you get extra money. If you are a head coach you get more money. If you are football, you get big money and may not even teach a full load. Maybe we should cut all athletics and arts in Georgia. That might put us even with California, after all their troubles began in the early 70's with governmental influence.

#25 It's Me on 07/25/09 at 12:20 AM

I read that Peach County is going to 4 day weeks for their students and the teachers will be working from home on laptops the 5th day.

This is a major savings to the system but what about the education and hardship created for parents???

There really has to be a better way that does not create more hardships on working families.

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