School Officials Meet with JC Citizens

Each month members of the Fulton County Board of Education host informative meetings within their districts to allow parents and citizens to ask questions and express concerns. On Wednesday Ashley Widener, district five representative, and Fulton County Superintendent, Dr. Cindy Loe met with parents in Johns Creek to discuss upcoming curriculum changes, as well as school budget items.

During a Johns Creek Town Hall meeting earlier this month, Loe expressed her enthusiasm for the system’s accountability scorecard. Loe took time to explain this process to parents during the Wednesday meeting.

“If we look at each school individually, and compare to the bests schools in the country I think we can better benchmark performance,” she said.

Loe explained that this gives Fulton Schools the opportunity to learn from the best schools in the country.

“If we are stronger in certain areas then we should celebrate those strengths, but if we are not achieving, we should visit schools and see what they are doing and learn from each other,” Loe said. “Let’s work together to make sure we’re achieving the very best.”

In late April, Fulton Schools announced the hiring of Linda Anderson as Deputy of Instruction, and the school system is still searching for a Deputy of Operations to oversee basic day-to-day school system functions.

“My basic education philosophy is that everyone in the system teaches or supports teaching and learning,” said Loe.

Loe said the two deputy positions would provide more support for instructors in Fulton County Schools. The system is also working to develop an Instructional Technology Department, the program will help expand technology used in Fulton Schools.

“Instructional Technology gives instructors the tools they need to work smarter, not harder,” said Loe.

Loe believes that classroom technologies allow for the acceleration in learning, by freeing up educators time to provide students with more support.

However, the real crux of the Wednesday meeting was discussion of the 2008-2009 budget.

Widener expressed her concerns over a potential tax increase associated with the new budget. Because there would not be a full roll back in local millage rates, and recent home estimations, some Fulton County residence would see an increase in their tax bill.

According to Widener and Loe there were issues discussed among the School Board during executive sessions that could not be disclosed publicly, but would affect the new budget. Among these issues is a land purchase and performing arts addition.

“In my opinion some of these things are not services that are going to benefit the children,” said Widener. “That is why I am going to vote against it.”

Widener said these budget issues were admirable, but not worthy of a tax increase in the current economic state. Also, Widener said there is debate over whether land purchase is even needed.

During Thursday night’s Fulton County Board of Education meeting Widener did vote against the proposed budget and read a prepared statement.

“I cannot in good conscience support the proposed budget. I feel it is truly wrong for us as a board to vote for a tax increase that affects our families that we serve without being able to discuss the particulars of this increase with our constituents. They say at the capitol that the ‘devil is in the detail.’” In this case that is very true. Due to our role as elected officials, there are some topics we cannot discuss with the public. In doing so, it would be a violation of our oath of office,” Widener said in her statement.

“The details of this increase are executive session items. Due to the complexity of the issues, we cannot disclose any of the information. Last year when we did not role our milage rate back, we were able to publicly debate the merits of the tax increase. When we presented a sales tax (SPLOST) increase to our constituents, there was a plan that was released to the public. The taxpayers were able to see what projects were being proposed and make an educated decision,” she said.

“This time I cannot, as an elected official, get feedback from my community regarding their feelings on this issue. I can answer some specific questions. But when I do, I feel like the old saying I'm telling the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. Well, I'm telling the truth not the "whole truth" in explaining this issue to my neighbors, family, friends and constituents.

“Anytime we raise taxes, it should be completely transparent. I often hear from my colleagues that we should have a transparent, open government. I am trying to live up to that,” Widener said.

During Wednesday’s meeting Loe did say that with the general fund budget there is not a lot of extra money for special projects, and the school system is still recovering from austerity cuts made by the state several years ago.

Currently Fulton County is collecting on 97 percent of the predicted SPLOST funds.

“I could say let’s look at SPLOST [Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax], but we would still run short,” said Loe.

Loe said that the system could collect $27 million in two years by not rolling back the millage rate.

“I am hearing that a lot of metro-Atlanta schools systems are not requesting a rollback,” said Loe.

The system is also combating increased enrollment due to students moving to South Fulton County because of recent problems with the Clayton County School System.

The final budget will be voted on June 26.