BOE members challenge budget before final passage

Posted by
Mike Buffington
in Education Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News
Friday, August 3. 2012
Comments (7)
Concerns about student safety on school buses caused two board of education members to stall what was expected to be quick approval of the final 2012-2013 budget. During a called meeting on Tuesday (July 31), the Barrow County school system’s board of education passed the district’s $89 million budget by a majority vote of 6-2. Board members Rickey Bailey and Will Dunn cast the ‘no’ votes after a pointed discussion related to how certain cost-saving measures in transportation impacts athletic coaches and students. Specifically, they questioned the ongoing training of coaches to drive buses to extracurricular sporting events, as well as the elimination this year of daily bus routes for middle and high school students who live within 1.5-miles of their schools.
For the full story, see the Aug. 1 issue of the Barrow Journal.
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#1 Sally on 08/03/12 at 08:22 PM [Reply]
Atleast we know 2 people have a brain. The other board members need to listen.
#2 Concerned Parent on 08/04/12 at 03:13 PM [Reply]
I sincerely hope that children and drivers alike will be very careful when walking to and from school if their parents cannot drive them to school. I think it would be beneficial to lay more sidewalks for these areas, but that would also incur costs as well from the county/state.  I just pray that this transportation budget cut is worth it.
#3 whimsy on 08/04/12 at 09:39 PM [Reply]
They are forcing coaches to get CDL's to drive the buses in order to save a few bucks. So we will have in-experienced, distracted drivers taking kids to every event. How can anyone think this is acceptable or safe for the kids?
#4 TickedOff on 08/05/12 at 10:11 AM [Reply]
Cutting bus service to the students is without a doubt, the dumbest thing Ive seen the Barrow county BOE do. I really hope no children are injured, or God forbid anyone dies as a result of this decision. Theres many ways to save money other than this. How about cutting a couple of these six figure principals at each school.Let booster clubs raise money to pay bus drivers.
#4.1 Anonymous on 08/05/12 at 06:30 PM [Reply]
Amen parents should had a say in busdrivers for games and cutting out routes Barrow schools going backwards . We should cut sime the six figures at the main office at holly hill too could have saved millions .I hope no kids get hurt for the school system to save few bucks what a joke
#5 Anonymous on 08/05/12 at 07:16 PM [Reply]
The coaches (who are teachers as well), will be arriving at the high schools at 6:45AM. Then, they are going to be working eight hours. After the end of the day at 3 o'clock, some of them will immediately be driving a bus right after school with no break.

But let's take football for a more in-depth example. The coaches will be on Friday's driving to away games that don't start until 7:00 at the earliest. Already they will have worked 12 straight hours. Typically, high school football games do not end until 9:30-10:00. So after working for almost 15 hours, they are then responsible for safely bringing the students back to the school which sometimes isn'r until 11:30ish. Guys and gals, that is nearly a 17 hour workday. By the way, a lot of those football coaches also coach JV games the night before.

This is very dangerous, however, this is an accident can be avoided. If it were my child on that bus, I would not want to have them riding with someone who has worked for potentially 17 hours straight.
#5.1 Anonymous on 08/06/12 at 07:35 PM [Reply]
Great point. It is unfortunate that you, Mr. Bailey, and Mr. Dunn are the few that "get it". The BOE is enabling this terrible leadership with their passive, supportive, votes.
I wonder if the Transportation Director really believes this is a good idea. Oh yeah, I believe Creel brought the Transportation Director with her over from Houston County. Houston County does not have this policy.
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