BOE reverses course; bus service reinstated

Barrow Journal

RSS Feed

Email Alerts

Twitter

Facebook

BOE reverses course; bus service reinstated

Posted by

Mike Buffington

in Education Archives, Top Stories & Breaking News

Wednesday, August 8. 2012

Comments (29)

In a 7-2 vote, the Barrow County Board of Education reversed its earlier decision and reinstated bus service to students living within 1.5 miles of middle or high schools.
The action came Tuesday night after a huge outcry from parents, who told the board they feared for the safety of their children trying to walk to school on roads that had no sidewalks. The school system opens for the 2012-2013 year on Monday.
For the full story, see the Aug. 8 issue of the Barrow Journal.

Trackbacks

Trackback specific URI for this entry

No Trackbacks

Comments

Display comments as (Linear | Threaded)

#1 Anonymous on 08/08/12 at 09:11 AM [Reply]

Well i guess it's time to raise Barrow Co Property taxes, Because the students, teachers and bus drivers have gave all they can . They lost twenty day of school and pay....

#1.1 boo whoo on 08/10/12 at 02:35 AM [Reply]

how about like the rest of us they go to work five to seven days a week, get t most four weeks paid time off maybe maybe five sick days, have to brown bg or bring own lunch, have to show each day value for work done or be shortly thereafter let go.
no holidys like veterns day, presidents day etc off no half days off with full pay etc please you made a choice in deciding to work for schools more you made choice in degree that if teching does not work out for ou is pretty worthless for job outside the teaching field. so when you want more money more pay you dont care that folks have to work more then the 180 or fewer dys a year then you guys. so no more trips to europe on summer break, no more long weekends etc come on you need to relize the folks paying taxes only have so much to give, but I guess since your living in my fat uncle Sams house like him you like to eat and take all the leftovers with you. leaving us the taxpayers with the dirty dishes and you expecting to reutrn next meal time for whatever else we hope tobe able to buy and prepare. you Govt leeches

#1.1.1 Anonie Mouse on 08/10/12 at 08:51 AM [Reply]

Judging from your comments, it's obvious that you do not know any teachers very well. I know several and, trust me, their day does not end when the last bell rings. Sometimes, their day doesn't end until long after you've gone to bed. In addition, many weekends are devoted to grading papers and writing lesson plans.
They spend their own money purchasing school supplies for children who come to school without the things they need. They purchase clothes for children who come to school tattered and filthy.
No, they are not happy when their salaries are reduced by budget cuts and furlough days. They have families to support, too. I don't know anyone that jumps for joy when they are told they will be making less money this year than they did the year before.
Since you think teaching is such a "cush" job, perhaps you should get your degree and find yourself a teaching position. I think you would be in for a rude awakening. So until you get some firsthand knowledge about what teaching entails, perhaps you should not be exposing your ignorance of the subject in public forum.

#2 Anonymous on 08/08/12 at 10:17 AM [Reply]

So have taxpayers.

#2.1 Anonymous on 08/09/12 at 08:35 PM [Reply]

I'm curious, are you paying the same amount in property taxes that you were 2,3...even 4 years ago. Key word: amount.

#2.1.1 John Galt on 08/09/12 at 09:12 PM [Reply]

Of course we're not. Our properties have lost value in the past five years, so our taxes have been reduced.

It seems we're paying less in taxes than we were 5 years ago.

Do you mean to say that schools are collecting less than they were a few years ago?

#2.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/09/12 at 11:50 PM [Reply]

Property taxes "reduced"?

You, sir are either a fool or a liar!

I could show you my bills to prove it!

#2.1.1.1.1 John Galt on 08/10/12 at 09:54 AM [Reply]

Suit yourself. My property tax has fallen 16.67% since 2008, to the assessment just received for 2012. My house has been maintained in the same manner, with no changes, additions, or removals.

If your property tax is higher, that's an issue for you and Cecil Highfield. There's no need to throw accusations around.

#2.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/10/12 at 10:43 AM [Reply]

When the assessment of "fair market value" declines, the millage rate is adjusted upwards in an attempt to keep the revenue stream consistent. Even the village idiot is cognizant of this fact.

#2.1.1.1.1.1.1 Robert Lanham on 08/10/12 at 12:15 PM [Reply]

You are partially right - the taxing authorities can adjust the millage rate upward to reflect the decrease in property values. The BOE has a problem, though. They are nearing the upper limit of the millage rate that they can legally impose. The BOC, on the other hand, still has some flexibility and, I suspect, may do exactly that. Nevertheless, it requires a vote on the part of the taxing authority in order to raise the millage rate - the big difference - if it's an adjustment to reflect a decrease in property values it doesn't require some of the hoops that they would otherwise have to go through.

#2.1.1.1.1.1.2 John Galt on 08/10/12 at 12:59 PM [Reply]

Throw around your phrases if you like, sir, however the amount of money I paid in 2008 is 16.67% higher than the amount of money I am supposed to pay in 2012.

Now, you can argue until you are blue in the face about how smart you are, but don't argue facts when it comes to my property tax, and how much I paid in 2008, and how much I will pay in 2012. It's lower this year than in 2008. No special exemptions; no special taxing districts; no nothing. I'm an everyday citizen of Barrow County.

Maybe as the village idiot, you've missed something.

#2.1.1.1.1.1.3 John Galt on 08/10/12 at 01:34 PM [Reply]

My property tax, in dollars, dropped 16.67%, from 2008 to 2012. The Commission raised taxes in one year to adjust for the decline in vallues, but for the other years there was no adjustment.

I stand by my statement of fact - my property tax dropped over 16% from 2008 to 2012, with no change in the property. I will pay less in 2012 than I did in 2008.

#3 Todd on 08/08/12 at 02:09 PM [Reply]

Maybe paying more tax dollars to transport kids instead of educating them will help with the math problem.

#3.1 Mark on 08/08/12 at 02:58 PM [Reply]

kids can't get help with the math problems if they can't get to school.

#3.2 Anon on 08/10/12 at 07:18 AM [Reply]

Big Boy, I think we pay enough. Perhaps you should look at the salaries the teachers are making. They are paid too well to have the scores we have. The pay scales per teacher were listed here. Teachers in this county should be happy and not continue to rock boats. Transportation has not changed from last year, no large increases are needed. Barrow has not grown that much.

#4 Michael B. Knape on 08/08/12 at 05:24 PM [Reply]

Here's some cost savings measures for the school system. Don't pay a superintendent well above $100,000. Don't try to get me to cry because she hasn't had a raise. I haven't had one in years and I don't make anywhere near six figures. Quit funding the gas for the car the BOE bought her and stop making her house payments. All of that will more than pay for the bus routes the BOE tried to take away.

#4.1 Anonymous on 08/08/12 at 08:20 PM [Reply]

She did get a raise last year. Just FYI...

#4.1.1 Anonymous on 08/08/12 at 10:11 PM [Reply]

You have proof?

#4.1.1.1 Anonymous on 08/09/12 at 03:29 PM [Reply]

Educators' salaries are published. Do a little research...

#4.2 Not Michael B. Knape on 08/09/12 at 06:39 AM [Reply]

For your information, the only salary increase that Dr. Creel has received has been the step increase mandated on the salary schedule for state pay from the Georgia Department of Education, and it was tiny. The system DOES NOT make her house payments and DID NOT buy her a car. These allegations are ridiculous and uncalled for. People, get a grip!!! You may not like all of the changes that have been implemented and you may not be a fan of Dr. Creel, but you certainly should not stoop to idle gossip.

#4.2.1 Tmanius on 08/13/12 at 05:26 AM [Reply]

Here is a problem with Creel. She is not for the community. She is for just the resume builder. If she cared about Barrow why did she just bring in a principle from another state and not give a local one that qualified as well. So she created a job when many Barrow Citizens are out of work. Second when she brought in the new principal she brought his wife and gave her a job as a nurse at a school. So there are no qualified Barrow Citizens that are nurses needing a job as well? Please explain this one.

#4.2.1.1 anon on 08/13/12 at 12:40 PM [Reply]

Stop being ridiculous! This woman cannot appoint a principal, nor does she choose the principal. The charter requires that the governance team make the selection, she makes the recommendation to the board, the board approves/disapproves. If the school governance board chose the principal from another state (which I would like to know who that is) then blast them; not her. You may as well stop bashing her; it doesn't help your child.
Be part of the solution!!!!!

#5 Anonymous on 08/09/12 at 09:07 AM [Reply]

146,501.16

#6 Anonymous on 08/09/12 at 05:26 PM [Reply]

did get a car fyi

#6.1 Anonymous on 08/09/12 at 07:58 PM [Reply]

Keep on making stuff up.

#7 i say on 08/09/12 at 06:31 PM [Reply]

nothing is too good, no she doesnt own the car it is BOE cr, but she needs a dedicated car to use, lso no they dont make her house payments but certainly part of her taking the job involved moving and home finder incentives.
no we cant like some other districts do request fee for students ridng the bus to school.... nyhow the homeowners and business owners and the like can fund the bus program, or maybe think about contacting third party bus services!!!! get rid of the bus barns the buses the insurnce the fuel logs the DOT requiremnets the insuruance for the drivers the bus companies would do all this most likely for large svings to the tax payers.....

#8 Anonymous on 08/10/12 at 06:27 PM [Reply]

I think having the kids get to school on their own was a good idea. Not necessarily by walking. But the parents should be responsible for taking them. Don't start the "I have to work". Should have thought about that before having them. Why do you expect the tax payers to pay for getting your kids to school.

#8.1 Concerned parent on 08/11/12 at 07:02 AM [Reply]

Well I guess we are not as fortunate as you are. We have to work fora living! And I am also a tax payer. I pay my school tax just like every other bus riding student in this county. So are you saying just because we live close to the school we aren't entitled to the same benefits as other taxpayers whose children may live further away??? I no not have the luxury of leaving work at200 pm every day to make sure my child has a safe way home. If you were at the meeting on tuesday you would have heard the parents say we are Not opposed to paying a fee to Allow our kid to ride the bus. maybe you should attend more meetings and try to be part of the solution.!!!

#9 Anonymous on 08/14/12 at 12:04 AM [Reply]

1 st day of school and my 5 th grader came home at 5:15 pm...what happend??? I thought they got the route down before school started.

Add Comment

Name
Email
Homepage
In reply to
Comment: E-Mail addresses will not be displayed and will only be used for E-Mail notifications.
To leave a comment you must approve it via e-mail, which will be sent to your address after submission.

To prevent automated Bots from commentspamming, please enter the string you see in the image below in the appropriate input box. Your comment will only be submitted if the strings match. Please ensure that your browser supports and accepts cookies, or your comment cannot be verified correctly.

Enter the string from the spam-prevention image above:
Phone*

What is four plus three?
: Remember Information? Subscribe to this entry

This Week's Poll

Community

Barrow Community

BOE reverses course; bus service reinstated

Barrow Journal

BOE reverses course; bus service reinstated

Recent Stories

Recent Comments

This Week's Poll

Sister Sites

Archives

Community

Keyword Tags