County BOE to continue with cuts

There’s no money for new textbooks. No cash for supplies at schools and other programs. And there’ll be no funds for students traveling to some events.

That’s the budget crisis the Jackson County School System is facing with its proposed 2010-2011 budget.

For district employees, there’ll be six furlough days next school year, and the elimination of at least four and a half teaching positions, along with a central office position.

Meanwhile, the board of education has directed superintendent Shannon Adams to recommend another round of layoffs in April with a Reduction in Force (RIF) plan.

The first — announced in March 2009 — included the elimination of 38 teaching and non-teaching positions.

“We can’t be all things to all people anymore,” said board chairperson Kathy Wilbanks on Thursday. “We really are going to have to really think about what it is we want to focus on — and then that has to become our priority, and then everything else has to go.”

The Jackson County Board of Education is considering a 2010-2011 budget of $85.9 million — compared to the current budget of $89.2 million. There is no proposal to increase property taxes.

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#1 taxpayer on 03/10/10 at 08:56 PM [Reply]

Keep on cutting.

#1.1 Concerned Taxpayer on 03/12/10 at 05:09 PM [Reply]

Its funny to me how everyone can criticize. Maybe you need to be in the position of these leaders for a day or two.

#1.1.1 Really on 03/13/10 at 04:14 PM [Reply]

Position of these leaders....I think their salaries speak for the position's they hold! Just a thought, but maybe these "leaders" should have been making wiser decisions with the budget before now. Wiser decisions could have possibly saved the 38 teaching and non-teaching positions from last year and the 4 1/2 teaching positions and "a central office" position this year. Take it from someone who knows, there has been way more then "A central office" position this year let's try 5 that we know of, right now. Its strange how just last year those "leaders" made the decision to approve a contract to continue paying a lawn company a little over 240,000.00 a year, yet we are rifting people over and over again. I do believe these people that were rifted would have been glad to cut some grass in order to save their job's. I know I would have, had I been in the position. It's also a fact that those very same "leaders" were given brand new blackberry's at the same time that the switchboard operator had requested new office phones, but was told "their was no money for them" how and why did they need those new blackberry's over office equipment? I have determined it's all about the "people" you know and the ass that you are kissing as to how far you will get with the Jackson County School System. To the Braselton Resident, I am glad to know I am not the only one who see's that these 100,000.00 plus "leaders" live in Clarke County, but are destroying the name for Jackson County. Maybe if they would move to the Clarke County School District we could save a few jobs let alone some county money!!!!

#1.1.1.1 Teacher on 03/15/10 at 12:05 PM [Reply]

Really, it sounds like you may be an employee? I cant say that I dont agree with everything you have said and especially the blackberry issue. For that matter, I dont think any school employee needs a blackberry. Maybe you can investigate and find out as to how much that phone bill runs the county each month.

#1.1.1.2 Taxpayer on 03/17/10 at 09:00 AM [Reply]

Before you spout out fictional information, perhaps you should get your facts straight. First, the Blackberry's that administration received this year replaced aging windows mobile phones at NO COST (i.e. FREE). Furthermore, buy upgrading for FREE to the Blackberry's the school systems phone bill was reduced significantly. A truly concerned taxpayer would come to board meetings for first hand information and find out that Jackson County Schools isn't the only school system hurting and that board members and administration are doing everything they can.

#1.2 chan7 on 04/02/10 at 03:28 PM [Reply]

I thought that LOTTERY was going to be the ANSWER...

#2.1 solution-minded..... on 03/11/10 at 12:34 PM [Reply]

Fair share....as a property owner who has rental homes, I do pay taxes on the properties I rent. That taxation is passed on to the renters thru their rent. When taxes go up, the rent also goes up.

#2.1.1 Is that really Fair? on 03/26/10 at 05:41 AM [Reply]

Yes, the taxes are paid, but is there a difference if the family has one child or if the family has 5 children? (some families in Jackson Co have 6 and 7 children and pay the same taxes as a family with only one child...or no children in the school system) So, no, there is no difference except the larger family uses more resources for the same tax bill as the family with one child. I ask you, is that fair? I think that's what "fair share" is trying to say.

#3 mad at our schools on 03/10/10 at 11:40 PM [Reply]

And don't forget HB 251, you guys don't honor state law anymore either!

Why can't all three school systems merge and finally fix the messed up budget issues everyone is having. Oh yeah, ego and political pride. Forget education and our children's future!

#4 trying on 03/11/10 at 11:08 AM [Reply]

Start at the top. No one in this county should make 100,000 in a government job. Taxed enough. I fed my child before school at home, take this child to school in car. Sent lunch with the child. The child has all their supplies with them. Fixing to send toilet paper,soap,and paper towels with the child,because none in the bathrooms on the eastside of county. And yes, I paid 2,100.00 in property tax. Don't want a free handout. Just don't understand MS.Wilbanks. Maybe a day late and a dollar short. The leaders have failed the children of jackson county. How do you hold your head up and look a child in the eyes. Knowing lies is all that comes out.

#5 Charles Fletcher on 03/11/10 at 02:04 PM [Reply]

When you trim trees you start at the top of the tree. In this case start by eliminating positions in the main office and work your way down. Then if more trimming is needed start with the Board of Education. Let us do away with their salaries and make it a volunteer position. This situation should be fixed if possible, but it will never be with the group that is in charge now. The old saying goes "This group can not pound sand down a rat hole."

#5.1 Braselton Resident on 03/12/10 at 05:44 AM [Reply]

I agree with making the Board of Education positions a volunteer position, along with their blackberry's, travel allowance, and computers. Also, if other higher ups are so sorry for the economy and for the past mistakes they made that put this county in this situation, they could take a pay cut as well. Most all of the assistant superintendents and directors don't even live in Jackson County....therefore this doesn't affect their personal finances. They pay Clarke County taxes which has enough in reserve that their teachers didn't have to take furlough days.

#6 Jackson County Parent on 03/12/10 at 10:48 AM [Reply]

I too believe you should start at the top - Principals, Assistant Principals - lay off one asssistant and it would cover two teachers for the year.

Just take a look at what they are taking home compared to the teachers.
http://open.georgia.gov/

#6.1 dhbgrandparent on 03/13/10 at 06:32 PM [Reply]

Fully agree with you. Do kids get grades for athletic, basketball, football, cheerleading, etc. Band is a legitmate educational class, I don't believe the athletic depts get grades, so why have high salaried coaches and assistant coaches, duh. If they want to play sports, let them join the area rec. depts.

#7 granny on 03/12/10 at 04:44 PM [Reply]

If people would look at the heads of each department of the school, Thats where the high salaries are. Adams keeps these, happy with a high salary so they do what he wants. But I agree. Board members need to be volunteer. That would be starting at the top, and cutting the waste. Then go on down to Adams, then each principal,and so forth. At the high school, we pay on principal, then 3 asst. principal, that not counting all of them a secrectarie. Remember the motto, that taxpayers paid for. Jackson county school of excellence. 3000.00, hell it needs to read (So LONG YOU BEEN HERE TO LONG,WE'RE BROKE SO HIT THE ROAD.)

#7.1 EJ Teacher on 03/12/10 at 09:11 PM [Reply]

Granny you don't know what you're talking about. Department heads frequently have colleagues within their departments who make more. And there are FAR fewer secretarial positions than you think.

Our board - like most - became too dependent on SPLOST. They apparently forgot what the "S" part of it stands for.

#8 dhbgrandparent on 03/13/10 at 02:18 PM [Reply]

ON SCHOOL CUTBACKS-----, leave the qualified Teachers and Paraprofessionals to teach our kids. Let go all retired employee that draw a retirement check PLUS a part time check, GO home.Combine county office positions, they should multitask like the teachers and parapros do. Combine tech jobs, cut out the overload.Cut 10% from anyone making 70,000 (all employees, including central office.) Combine bookeeping and receptionist jobs in schools with less than 325 students. No free meals for any county employees. Board members should be held responsible for monitoring central office and held accountable for their bad decisions.Cut out pre-k,it is a form of baby sitting.Cut the athletic depts, just like you cut the music depts.,(Disgraceful)
Board members should be required to visit all county schools and look over each schools books; as long as they are being paid, they should be doing something.IF THEY CARE ABOUT A GOOD EDUCATION FOR THE STUDENT, SEE HOW MANY STEP UP AND TAKE A PAY CUT WITHOUT BEING FORCED TO DO SO. Last but not least, REMEMBER TO GO TO THE POLLS AND VOTE IN NOVEMBER.

#9 granny on 03/13/10 at 03:32 PM [Reply]

If they would step aside, someone would surely stand in an do a hell of alot better. Get rid of the spouse of the employees, and former employees. We can no longer employ the whole family in the school system. If a husband is a teacher, then his wife is a helper, secretary. Why don't we have the BOE meeting at the county high school one month, the at the new high school the next. Then people from both sides of the county could attend. Quit hiding in the old building. If you can come to the schools to eat, and have pictures for paper, then you can come to answer questions and listen to the parents. Might be old, but I know that theres no toilet paper in the new school house. Maybe ought to go back to corncobs, see how that rubs your fanny.

#9.1 dhbgrandparent on 03/13/10 at 05:39 PM [Reply]

I agree. For those that read the remark that Ms. Kathy Wilbanks said--“We really are going to have to really think about what it is we want to focus on — and then that has to become our priority, and then everything else has to go.”
There is only 1 thing all of us and them should focus on---THE STUDENTS!! Don't you know that Ms. Wilbanks? Why are you on the Board if you don't know that.

#10 Jim Wilson on 03/16/10 at 08:54 PM [Reply]

If saving money is the goal, we should be recruiting retirees, not dismissing them. Lots of experience and tons cheaper. No benefits for the system to pay. Why do you want to pay more for less experience? Sounds like some kind of sour grapes.

#11 taxpayer also on 03/17/10 at 02:05 PM [Reply]

How many got a new blackbery in the system? Everyone but the busdrivers and lunchroomworkers and cleaners.

#12 Concerned Tax Payer on 03/18/10 at 09:34 AM [Reply]

How about doing away with Drivers Education in the both high school as a "class." The State of Georgia DOES NOT fund this course but both high schools still paid a certified teacher to teach driver's education? The salaries are "locally funded."

Parents and students will "cry about this" but in other systems, the students must pay for drivers education.

#13 a parent on 03/25/10 at 11:04 AM [Reply]

Teachers were NOT given a Blackberry.
The ones who got them NEED them for when they are out reparing these schools, they don't have to use fuel to drive back to the office to see where to go next!
And why would lunchroom staff, custodians and ESPECIALLY bus drives need a phone? They should be cooking, cleaning and DRIVING.

#14 kathy on 03/25/10 at 01:52 PM [Reply]

And teachers should be teaching. Sounds like a teacher might get cut.

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County BOE to continue with cuts

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