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Sunday, Nov. 08, 2009

PATTERSON: Thanks to the community for ELOST support

By Sharon Patterson

Special to The Telegraph

On behalf of the Bibb County Board of Education and our children, teachers, staff, administrators, schools and parents, I want to express my gratitude to this community for their support of the education local option sales tax (ELOST) continuation.

The Bibb County School District’s mission “is to provide a high quality education for all Bibb County students in a safe and comfortable environment, and to make use of all human and technological resources in preparing graduates for post high school objectives,” and the new schools, upgrades and improvements made possible by the ELOST will have great impact on our students and community for many years.

For many decades, our facility needs — on a large scale — went unaddressed. During the past 10 years, student achievement has continued to improve, and, with earlier community support of the ELOST, we have improved the educational facilities in all high school feeder zones.

There are, however, facility needs still to address, including the replacement of five elementary schools, safety and security concerns, continued installation of 21st century technology, athletic facilities improvements and large projects such as roof replacements. With the ELOST, we are able to effectively improve and update our facilities, allowing more students to attend school in optimal learning environments.

I appreciate the dedication and professionalism that our employees bring to the classroom everyday, and they, too, deserve a high-quality working environment. This ELOST continuation indicates the community support of our work, as well as their desire to ensure we have the necessary tools to ensure students meet increasing academic expectations.

The support of the mayor and chairman of the Bibb Board of Commissioners was and is greatly appreciated; they understand our community can only benefit from having the best education facilities available for students. We must all — by working together — invest in our infrastructures to ensure the entire community is able to move forward and grow.

I also want to thank the Committee to Invest in Bibb County’s Future for its tireless efforts to bring attention and support to this very important issue. They were champions for the future of this county and for the role in which education plays in that future. Reaching out directly to our stakeholders the past few months — including parents, employees, community groups, churches and citizens — they ensured people were aware of the importance of this election. The effort was targeted and direct, showing people the effect ELOST has had and would have in their communities, as well as across the district.

With the support of our community, we are able to celebrate the continuation of the ELOST, as decided in all 41 precincts. Our students deserve optimal learning environments, and we can now continue the work begun in 2000 to reach that goal.

Sharon Patterson is the Bibb County superintendent of schools