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closeThe leadership of the Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce has been a stalwart advocate for high quality primary and secondary education in Bibb County. In demonstration of our commitment, our volunteers and staff led the effort to secure fiscal independence for Bibb County Schools in 2001, and then led the campaign in 2005 to inform the public of the value of the last ELOST. Our support of these initiatives was born from a belief that our school board should have more responsibility for the system’s financial course and would then be able to steer the system toward better educational outcomes for our students. We led the effort for the ELOST because we believed that our educators and students deserve a better learning environment. The efforts of the chamber were grounded in a belief that our young people deserve the best educational experience possible.
Now, the community is being asked to support the continuation of the ELOST to finish the improvement to the Bibb County school district’s physical infrastructure. We support the ELOST, which appears on the Nov. 3 ballot, because the improvements undertaken will improve the environment within which our educators work and our students learn.
However, while we support the physical improvements to the school district’s facilities, we are concerned about the effectiveness of the programs that are conducted within them. Improving test scores and reducing dropout rates should be our primary objectives. While buildings and athletics facilities are important they are not the main factors that will determine the long-term success of our students — the quality of the educational experience will. Our focus should be on creating an environment where performance is measured, achievement is expected, progress is evaluated and people are held accountable for their actions. To accept less is a disservice to our students, their parents, our educators and the citizens of Macon and Bibb County.
Our students, parents and community will all benefit when the outcomes improve. Our young people are our future and our future will be brighter if they perform at a higher level.
— Board of Directors
Greater Macon Chamber of Commerce
Whether one is a supporter of the extension of the Education local option sales tax or not, there is little doubt that ultimately beneficiaries of the ELOST are the students and teachers in our school system. Some have advocated that, “We need to make a statement,” referring to their disapproval of our superintendent, the school board or any number of other reasons. “Making a statement” is not unlike international sanctions against countries with which we have disagreements. In that case, those to whom we are trying to make a point generally suffer very little from sanctions. The ones that bear the burden of the sanctions are the innocent and hard-working women and men who are trying to make a living, feed their families and enable the next generation to improve their standard of living. Sanctions only make their goods almost impossible to sell. By a “no” vote to the ELOST extension we are — in effect — imposing sanctions on our school system. While our Bibb County School System is not perfect, one need only take time to walk the halls of any school to witness first hand the dedication and labor of love that is present.
The front-line leaders in this crusade are the teachers. Many teachers and principals deal with a myriad of problems with individual students while maintaining good order and discipline in the classrooms. Brick and mortar alone will not educate a child. But not providing adequate funding for the expansion, maintenance and operation of the school system will severely restrict the capabilities of our educators.
— Stephen K. Simpson
Macon
As a proud parent of a child at Rutland Middle School, I would like to voice my support for the staff and local board of education. I have always been an avid supporter of a public education and believe that a you only get out of it what you are willing to put into it.
A few years ago I had my doubts about Rutland because of negative remarks made about the environment and education. However, I have personally witnessed the dedication of the principal and staff in meeting the needs of the students. Rutland Middle School is a very diverse school and has made AYP the last two years. The school is very supportive and actively involved in the community. The athletic program has had several championships in a variety of sports.
Although I am blessed with the means to send my children to private school, I take pride in knowing that my tax dollars are wisely spent on our children, and they have the leadership and tools necessary to succeed. After all, children are the future leaders of our community tomorrow.
— Lester M. Miller
President RMS Booster Club
As a graduate of Bibb County Public Schools, and as a mother with sons at Alexander II Elementary School and the brand new Northwoods Academy, I am proud to support a “yes” vote for the ELOST. My son Eliot is a bright, active boy who has thrived in the few months he’s been in pre-K. It’s no wonder. His school, designed and built using ELOST dollars, is a colorful, welcoming place. His classroom of 14 four-year-olds (from every background) has shiny new chairs and tables, learning toys, a pet snail named “Cricket,” and even a kid-sized couch with kid-sized headphones for a good listen to tunes or a story. Oh, and he and his classmates have three teachers — all caring and committed and able to wrangle active toddlers into learning their letters, numbers, about the difference between oil and water, and about how to be considerate to one another.
This is what education should be. I know from experience that it’s difficult to concentrate in an overcrowded school without windows or without air conditioning. It’s hard to build a familiarity with technology when the tools are outdated. And education theory (along with common sense) tells us that positive early experiences with school can make an enormous difference in improving learning and decreasing our dropout rate.
The ELOST gives our community the tools to address problems of outdated facilities and equipment. This is not a new tax or an additional tax; the sales tax rate will stay the same. It simply continues to make available the funds that have helped build beautiful new schools for our children. The best part? According to a recent Georgia Tech study, about 71 percent of our sales-tax revenues are generated by out-of-county visitors. Even Eliot knows that having someone else fund our system’s new schools is a good bargain for Bibb County voters.
— Sarah Gerwig-Moore
Associate Professor of Law
Mercer University
I am a life ong resident of Bibb County who was educated in the Bibb County schools and taught at Southwest High School for 30-plus years before retiring in 2004.
I am asking for anyone who has played a part at any of our high schools, attended any of our games or have children who will attend our schools, to support the continuation of the education local option sales tax on Nov. 3.
Our community has made great progress in improving the school facilities for our children. As a result of the 2000 and 2005 ELOSTs, Southwest and Northeast now have gymnasiums that will actually accommodate the fans who want to see their teams play basketball. We have an all-weather track at Thompson Stadium that allows all of our schools to run on a first class surface. We have all of this and so much more with 71.4 percent of the money coming from out-of-county visitors. Yes, our community and schools have benefited with out-of-county visitors paying 71.4 percent of the bill.
But we still have unmet needs. All of our high schools should have field houses. All of our high schools should have a practice track; all of our high schools should have softball fields. And most importantly, all of our high schools need restrooms for athletes and fans.
How can we, the Bibb County community, go wrong by supporting the continuation of the ELOST on Nov. 3? No property tax increase, no additional sales tax, just improved facilities for our community.
— Iris D. Hill
Macon
Important date
Tuesday, Nov. 3, marks a very important date for the future of Perry. We will have the opportunity to exercise our right to vote in the city election. We have the great privilege of having a voice in selecting the people who lead our government. We need to be able to depend on their character, people skills and business knowledge. We need good listeners who are able to bring people together to work for the best outcome for all.
For over 30 years, I have observed and appreciated these qualities in Joe Posey. Posey has served our community, our schools and our churches. He is never too busy to listen or to do what he can to help. He is a strong leader and is my choice for Post 1, District 2, Perry City Council. Please remember to vote.
— Foster Rhodes
Perry
Rethink suggestion
Responding to Bill Jackson’s Letter of Oct. 28, where he suggested slashing the salaries of all federal employees, including Congress and White House, by 90 percent until the federal deficit is balanced. I would suggest Jackson give his suggestion serious thought before he boards any aircraft in the United States, since his suggestion would affect the quality of personnel hired as air traffic controllers. He might also stop driving across any bridges designed by our Army Corps of Engineers. And how could our military respond so quickly without all the federal employees providing logistical support to ensure each soldier has food, water and a cot when they arrive? What about the federal employees working at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to develop vaccines to keep us safe?
Perhaps Jackson would like to rethink his suggestion. Federal employees deserve the respect of this great nation. There is no need to denigrate our services to this country.
— Ann Blodgett
Lizella, GA
Meeks and Wright
It should come as no surprise to anyone that Catherine Meeks would find it “delightful” to listen to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright preach. I am sure his line of thinking is right up Meeks’ alley when it comes to race relations.
Even though I don’t agree with anything Dr. Meeks writes in her column every two weeks, I do read them just to satisfy my curiosity to see if she will ever write about something else besides the perceived evil treatment of her race by rich, law abiding white people. Meeks called Wright’s sermon a sound bite. Really? Anyone can search for Wright’s “sound bites” on the Internet and read it in its entirety. Wright is no more a preacher than Jesse Jackson or Al Sharpton. Their sole existence in America is to continually stir the race pot to generate millions of dollars for themselves.
By aligning herself with the likes of Wright, Dr. Meeks can pretty much eliminate the thought of anyone taking her seriously when it comes to her goal of equality.
— Ron Renno
Forsyth
Prayer for today
This morning, Heavenly Father, I come to you in prayer thanking you for the many blessings you have given me. I count each day, and they are many. Thank you for those wonderful blessings. Lord help me to help others where help is needed. Keep me strong so I’ll be able to do your will. I pray this prayer in your name. Amen.
— Submitted by Brenda W. Edwards
Marshallville
Readers — ministers, priests, rabbis, imams and laypersons alike — are invited to contribute prayers for this daily feature.
Send them to “Prayer,” The Macon Telegraph, P.O. Box 4167, Macon, GA 31213; or by facsimile to 744-4663; or online to letters@macon.com.
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