• How will consolidation save money?

Looks like consolidation is getting serious consideration, and that is good. I am undecided and look forward to an in-depth analysis. Those in favor of consolidation point to the economic benefits, or how much money will be saved. So I would especially like to know where the savings will come from.

There will still be the same number of students after consolidation, thus all teachers from both systems will be retained: no savings there. Busing needs will not change: no savings there. Administrative needs will not change so no central office staff will be lost: no savings there. Books, supplies, etc. will be the same: no savings there. The actual school buildings in both systems will continue to exist: no savings there. Both high schools will continue to field athletic teams: no savings there. Cafeteria load will remain constant: no savings there. Utility costs and building maintenance will not change: no savings there.

As a matter of fact, when school systems become larger there is always a tendency for more bureaucracy which will increase staff, not reduce staff. So I am really perplexed as to how consolidation will save money.

Andy Patterson

Valdosta

• Number of victims is too high

In 1999 the Bureau of Justice Statistics reported that “Estimates from the National Crime Victimization Survey indicate that in 1999 persons 12 or older experienced about 791,210 violent crimes by a current or former spouse, boyfriend or girlfriend. 85 percent of these crimes were experienced by females and 15 percent by males.

In 2003-2004, there was an average of 204,370 rapes, attempted rapes, or assault. These are only those reported.

Each year, over 500,000 women are stalked, 5.3 million women are abused, and 1,232 women are killed by an intimate partner.

The leading cause of injury to American women is domestic violence. According to statistics, a woman suffers a beating every 18 seconds.

The American Medical Association estimates that one in four women will be assaulted and abused by an intimate partner in her lifetime.