April 10, 2008 11:22 pm
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• 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.
These reported figures represent, not the streets of Brazil where drugs rule lifestyles, or the huts of Haiti where voodoo is king over reading and writing, or the dark mountains of Africa where women are beaten as a rite of passage, or the Congo where a bride can be purchased for the price of a cheap neck tie, or Ecuador where MS 13 gangs rape and mutilate girls sending their body parts home in a box.
These figures represent the atrocities, assaults, and violent crimes occurring in the streets and homes of the United States, the land of baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, Bible beltways, revivals, and congressional hearings.
Let’s support this national effort on a local level in whatever way we can.
Jim Harnage
Lake Park
Silent Ministries
• Focus on their education
Dear Dr. Bill Cason and Valdosta Board of Education Members,
I have been very concerned about the local newspaper story of 400 students. I want you to understand as a taxpayer, and a person who is extremely concerned about our children’s education. I have taken the time to feel the pulse of our community and 98.5 percent of all the people I have talked to and have read their statements, says that our principal has and is doing an outstanding job. He has shown that he loves all of our youth. Trying to give the troublemakers an opportunity for an education. While trying to give 13-1,400 students a chance to learn in an environment where they can focus on their education.
I think it would be wonderful if the parents of all these students would be parents all the time for their children’s sake. As the man who is running for president says, “turn off the TV, turn on your parenting skills and help our youth become the citizens they so richly deserve to be, good ones.”
So, please congratulate Mr. Stanton and all the teachers who are trying so hard!
Roy E. Taylor Sr.
Valdosta
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