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Wednesday, Jun. 17, 2009

Carpenter, Deems tout education to chamber

PERRY — Statistics were flying recently as school leaders talked to Perry Area Chamber of Commerce members at the group’s First Fridays event.

David Carpenter, superintendent of Houston County schools, and Rachel Deems, head of school at The Westfield School, put their best feet forward to say why they were glad to be part of the county’s educational drawing card.

I’ve learned how supportive of education the chamber of commerce and the community are in Houston County, and how important it is for them to support education here,” said Deems, who has just finished her first year at Westfield. “Nothing is more vital; it draws and keeps industry here.”

Deems was director of development at Stratford Academy in Macon before replacing interim headmaster Ronnie Griffeth in 2008.

She noted that 61 percent of the school’s 600-plus student body is from Houston County, and the school employs some 83 people.

The school will soon be marking its 40th anniversary, she said, “and Westfield is fortunate to have the support of its parents — and grandparents.”

Carpenter pointed to the school system’s scores on the Georgia High School Graduation Test, on which test-takers have consistently scored higher than the state averages in all subject areas.

The school system’s graduation rate is 83 percent, and Perry High School and principal Darryl Albritton were singled out for being one of 16 schools in the state that had “significantly” raised its graduation rate.

“The AYP report is coming later in the summer, and it looks promising for us,” Carpenter said of the annual report on the federal No Child Left Behind Act. “I’ve got a feeling we will be celebrating this year.”

The school system is in the midst of fashioning its budget for the coming year, Carpenter said, and is coming to grips with declining state revenues.

He noted that even though since 2003 the system has suffered austerity cuts of $38 million, he feels “blessed” to be in Houston County.

“I’ve read in the papers there will be seven school systems in the state operating with deficit spending now, and next year that number is probably going to be 30,” he said. “The growth of the tax digest here helps us, and we’re taking steps to make cuts.”

The system has gone from $13 million to less than $10 million in its reserve fund, he said, and was able to reduce its budget without cutting any full-time jobs. Some part-time jobs were eliminated, and some vacancies were not filled.

“I thought we would have to cut about 100 jobs, but we were able to stall that,” he said. “Still, we have to be efficient, and we’re up to the challenge. We’ve absorbed positions where people have retired.”

The system has reduced the local supplement by $1,000 for all certified employees, saving $2.5 million in the process, and staff members have had to take furloughs.

New textbooks for English and reading won’t be purchased, saving another $3 million.

“We have to be in a position to absorb further state cuts, and we know they’re coming,” he said. “It’s a guessing game every month with the state.”

Carpenter said another hang-up with the state is the status of House Bill 251, the Public School Choice Bill. The state has yet to set the regulations for it. Carpenter said the bill doesn’t mean parents can send their child to any school they wish, but to any school that has capacity for the student.

On a more positive note, he said he’s looking forward to next year’s opening of Veterans High School off Moody Road.

“It’s a beautiful, 300,000-square-foot facility, and when we open we will have only grades nine through 11,” he said. “I assure you we are blessed to be in Houston County.”

To contact writer Jake Jacobs, call 923-6199, extension 305.