Jefferson BOE plans 10 furlough days

I'm completely shocked, in a good way, at the BOE's decision to combine the positions of Gurley and Oliver.

Oliver is retiring effective the end of this fiscal year and, while this is a lot of added work on Gurley, it makes a HECK of a lot of sense when you think about the 1) the kids 2) the teachers (well kinda, see below) and 3) the taxpayers.

Essentially, Jefferson responded to a million dollar deficit by only letting go of 2 teachers (both Spanish positions).

If you'll notice, the counselor's position and the K teacher's position doesn't say they won't be retained elsewhere.

Not filling an AP position ($80,000+ and benefits) and not filling the JES principal's position ($95,000+ and benefits) easily saved 6+ teaching positions.

Excellent decisions by the BOE and Dr. Jackson.

Not that I expected anything less but this completely confirmed everything I ever thought about their work.

There aren't many negatives to this plan other than A) losing the Spanish program B) more work for well compensated professionals (who are VERY good people and easily capable of handling it in a productive and professional manner) C) Teachers losing all 10 teacher work days. This increases a ton of work on them- BUT it allows them to all keep their jobs.

Dear Jose,

I enjoy sarcasm but typically when it's only well-rooted in the truth and factual information. Would you like to be corrected? Perhaps not but the people might like to know the facts...

1. Spanish: No REQUIRED Spanish classes were cut. Yes, Spanish is required to graduate high school in the State of Georgia- if I'm not mistaken. The Spanish program at JHS is still in tact. The only Spanish classes that were halted were those at JES (for children up to 8 years old), JA (for children up to 11 years old) and JMS (for children up to 14 years old. Repeat after me: All required Spanish classes remain.

2. No comment on the vending machine sarcasm.

3. No one is eliminating the Ag program. Last time I checked that's a viable career- specifically in Jackson County.

4. Not sure which stance you're taking on the trees. In one paragraph you say "probably didn't cost the school anything" and then in another you say "spending money on trees". May I please explain to you that nearly every one of the newly planted trees in the City limits was done free of charge through the Jefferson Heritage Tree Council. This includes the trees at JES, at the top of Memorial, at the Jefferson Rec Center, downtown, at JHS... all over. The Tree Council is a 100% volunteer organization chaired by Mary Dugan. She's a tremendous lady with tremendous passion and an army of volunteers; you should meet her sometime by volunteering. The trees are from an abandoned nursery off of Lyle Field Road. The administration of the project is done by a certified arborist that is being compensated through a grant obtained by the City. Zero cost here.

5. Are you saying that music programs should be cut because they're as valuable (or invaluable based on your argument) as elementary and middle school Spanish classes? Really? I bet you're a very cultured individual.

6. You'd like to close the media centers and open a weight room? I appreciate the sarcasm there since you're talking about facilities that were constructed when Jefferson's enrollment was 1/5 of what it is now. You grow, you need facilities- not sure why that's so hard to understand. I'm not sure of the last time I saw an elementary school Spanish contest draw $20,000-$30,000 worth of spectators on a Friday night. In other words, enough over the course of a season to foot the budget for nearly every other girls and boys athletic program the school could possibly offer. But, hey, let's not get started there. I'd hate to have to ask you to point out another AA public school within 50 miles that offers as many boys and girls athletic teams WITH the facilities to accomodate them AND quality coaches to instruct the participants.

7. Same thing that goes for the media center/weight room sarcasm applies to the field house argument.

8. Great. I'm glad you decided to pull out the "future employer", "fun" programs and "meaningful" cards and lay them on the table.

I guess the fact that students from JHS earn college scholarships to otherwise unattainable schools doesn't mean anything to you. I guess a AA State Championship in Track and Field and sending young men, ON SCHOLARSHIP, to the University of Tennessee and Lindsey Wilson ($27,000+/year) doesn't mean anything to you.

I won't spend too much time there because if you're so vehemently against improvements to athletic facilities I can't change your mind no matter what I say.

As far as a new track surface, field house improvements, weight rooms and other construction projects, Jose, perhaps it would benefit you to learn the difference between "budget money" and "SPLOST money".

Budget money is what comes from property taxes and from the State. It can be utilized for construction projects or, as in most cases, an actual BOE budget. How novel, right?

SPLOST money is what comes from local option sales taxes. You buy gas, dinner at Beef O'Brady's, a new hammer at Mitchell's, it doesn't matter. One cent of every dollar goes into the pot. It can be utilized for construction projects but NOT to foot a budget.

In other words, Jose, your elementary school Spanish program was not cut in favor of a new track surface. The money being used for the track surface and other construction projects can NOT be used to compensate a Spanish teacher or ANY salary. It's SPECIAL PURPOSE LOCAL OPTION SALES TAX dollars. It's collected by Jackson County, divided based on the population and earmarked for the Board of Education to use as they see fit for the betterment of the City School system.

If they want to they could build a $345,000 statue of Pancho Villa with it. Unfortunately, I'm sure that would draw more than one sarcastic remark.

Agradecimiento para juega, Jose!