The Barrow County Board of Education continues to look at ways to save money as members believe the budget crisis is far from over.
While not in as bad a shape financially as some area systems, Barrow County BOE members are looking at various proposals on saving funds including the elimination of various positions ranging from an assistant superintendent down to lunchroom monitors and clerical positions.
BOE members even discussed during Tuesday night’s meeting the possibility of saving $687,000 in transportation by eliminating bus routes for students who live within 1.5 miles of their respective schools.
“With the problems many students in the country and in Barrow County face with juvenile diabetes and being obese, maybe they need to be walking,” board member Lynn Stevens said.
School board member Lynn Stevens suggested that students facing obesity and juvenile diabetes would benefit from walking to school.
BOE dealing with budget crunch
Board member Connie Wehunt said eliminating the bus routes for these students could cause a hardship on parents who have to be at work at 6 or 7 in the morning.
“I have a problem with eliminating it,” Wehunt said. “We would have some children in the cold and rain walking to school. I have a problem with just stopping it.”
According to recent figures, 329 students in the school system live with in the 1.5 radius and rely on transportation that is provided.
“It’s also a safety issue,” said BOE member Rickey Bailey. “If one child gets injured then that amount we save is not worth it.”
Bill Bramlett said he could not support it unless sidewalks, crosswalks and personnel were provided to help guarantee safety of the students.
“Before I cut teachers out of a classroom, I would vote for this,” Stevens responded. “I still don’t know when it became our responsibility to be in the transportation business.”
Board member Larry Ballard wanted a survery done on the issue and a consensus was nothing could be done adequately for this year’s budget process anyway.
“We need to let people know this is possible and let the Board of Commissioners know when they approve subdivision there needs to be sidewalks as a requirement,” Stevens said. “We can’t be in the transportation business.”
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Wehunt expressed concern over the school cutting back on the portion the system pays for employees health insurance.
“We have employees who make $9,000 and $10,000 and I just can’t see putting this extra cost on them,” Wehunt said. “For someone who makes $50,000, it is not a problem. But we have employees who make $10,000 or less and this could mean the difference in them buying food.”
The BOE asked superintendent Wanda Creel to look into the issue of whether all employees had to be treated the same, regardless of pay, concerning health benfits from the system.
Also, four bids totaling $118,000 have gone out for repair work on the Winder-Barrow High School Fieldhouse which is in need of work.
“I have a problem with eliminating it,” Wehunt said. “We would have some children in the cold and rain walking to school. I have a problem with just stopping it.”
According to recent figures, 329 students in the school system live with in the 1.5 radius and rely on transportation that is provided.
“It’s also a safety issue,” said BOE member Rickey Bailey. “If one child gets injured then that amount we save is not worth it.”
Bill Bramlett said he could not support it unless sidewalks, crosswalks and personnel were provided to help guarantee safety of the students.
“Before I cut teachers out of a classroom, I would vote for this,” Stevens responded. “I still don’t know when it became our responsibility to be in the transportation business.”
Board member Larry Ballard wanted a survery done on the issue and a consensus was nothing could be done adequately for this year’s budget process anyway.
“We need to let people know this is possible and let the Board of Commissioners know when they approve subdivision there needs to be sidewalks as a requirement,” Stevens said. “We can’t be in the transportation business.”
Also at Tuesday’s meeting, Wehunt expressed concern over the school cutting back on the portion the system pays for employees health insurance.
“We have employees who make $9,000 and $10,000 and I just can’t see putting this extra cost on them,” Wehunt said. “For someone who makes $50,000, it is not a problem. But we have employees who make $10,000 or less and this could mean the difference in them buying food.”
The BOE asked superintendent Wanda Creel to look into the issue of whether all employees had to be treated the same, regardless of pay, concerning health benfits from the system.
Also, four bids totaling $118,000 have gone out for repair work on the Winder-Barrow High School Fieldhouse which is in need of work.
As far as cutting bus routes within 1.5 miles of schools; High Schools maybe BUT NOT elem. or middle school.
With budget issues, anything should be looked at. I applaud Ms. Stevens for thinking of a way to reduce costs on taxpayers while educating my children.
Why should I pay to transport your child to a school that is within walking distance to your house?
Here's a tip: The BOE is broke. They can raise taxes or cut expenses. They can cut teachers or some of the less critical parts of the budget. Which would you prefer.
I know most parents are just too busy to take their kids to and from school, but there are plenty who do have time, and could take the burden off both parents and the school system.
It's not a complete solution, but it could help tide the system over until local economies start feeling the end of the recession.
You have to leave for work at 7:30 latest. The bus picks your child up at 7:15, so you know you child is safe on the bus when you leave for work.
Are you saying that this parent must:
A) be late for work each day because they now have to drop the child off at school - which just happens to be in the oppose direction of work?
B) chose between working or taking her child to school?
C) find a new job (in this economy) that works around the fact she has to drop her child off at school AND pick them up?
And what about all those 1 car families? You know there are people in this county who can't afford to have two or more cars or a stay at home mom, or even send their children to soccer, dance, parties etc... All of which I might add - occur after school hours and generally after a parent would be home from work.
I have an idea --- why doesn't everyone home school their children? Then Barrow County BOE won't have to worry about buses teachers, office workers, etc......
It would be unethical to expect them to walk a half mile under these conditions.
Do we need to look at your position on the board? I'm sorry but my children get enough exercise. Let me tell you, they do not get it by walking down a narrow street with no sidewalks. They also do not get it by walking by a highschool parking lot to get to Yargo. Before you made this insensitive comment have you checked out the infrastucture of the Yargo school area? Would you allow your chidren to walk there? Shame on you!!!!! We would be putting lives at risk to save a few dollars. Does the safety of our children mean so little to you? No you are not in the transportation business. You are in the education of children business. So you should make it your business to see that they are able to reach schools safely!! What would it take? One of our children to get hurt for you to admit that maybe this is a horrible idea. I pray to god that this is not the case.
While it is true that many children are developing early onset TYPE 2 diabetes (typically suffered by older adults) due to a sedentary lifestyle and poor dietary choices, TYPE 1 or "juvenile diabetes" is a COMPLETELY different disease. Children with Type 1 diabetes suffer from an autoimmune disorder in which their own young bodies attack the insulin producing ability of the pancreas. These children, especially at a young age, must be supervised at all times lest low blood sugar issues (often brought on by exercise that is not preceded by a carbohydrate and protein containing food) cause them to experience an insulin reaction and pass out.
It would be dangerous for these children to walk alone any distance to school, and those with 504 plans would most certainly qualify for assistance/transportation provided by the school system. For more information on type 1/juvenile diabetes, see www.jdrf.org
That said, unless our communities are able to provide sidewalks and crossing guards, I would oppose requiring Barrow County students to walk to school, even if they live within 1/2 mile.
Also have you thought about the number of buses going to the school from all directions? Most likely a bus is going to pass by these students homes going to the school anyway so how would that save money?