BOE sets two public hearings on consolidation plans

Wednesday, February 27. 2013

Two public hearings have been set by the Jackson County Board of Education on plans to relocate South Jackson Elementary School next year into the current Kings Bridge Middle School facility. The hearings are set for 5:30 p.m. on March 7 and March 11 in the gymnasium at Jackson County Comprehensive High School. The public is invited to the hearings and to comment on the plan. A sign-in sheet will be available at the meetings, or one can sign up in advance by emailing the school at communityreply@jackson.k12.ga.us and specifying which date they would like to speak at.
For the full story, see the Feb. 27 issue of The Jackson Herald.

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#1 Ridiculous on 02/27/13 at 08:09 PM [Reply]

It is obvious that the board works for Dr. Green, not the way it should be set up. Maybe we need to talk to the State BOE and see if the BOE needs to go the way of the Dekalb county BOE.

#1.1 Double B on 02/27/13 at 09:27 PM [Reply]

Not sure if you are aware in Dekalb they were suspended WITH pay. Not as big a deal as it sounds at first. Ohh no plz don't suspend me for my term with full pay. We need to just vote them out and be done with it.

#2 SpeakUp on 02/27/13 at 08:53 PM [Reply]

Well, well, well......

According to the Georgia Dept. of Education, these 2 required meetings were supposed to be held PRIOR to any finalization of school closings, but Green's the BOSS around here, right?

So, now that Green has BOSSED the Bd. around, he's charging FULL STEAM ahead and IS going to close a perfectly good elementary school, uproot hundreds of students, put impressionable 8th graders in the midst of older hormonal high school students, displace several programs (ROTC, childcare, vocational classes), which are housed in the Gordon Street Center, move the Kings Bridge 6th/7th grade students 10 miles away to East Middle school, etc......

From what I understand, furniture is already being moved from the Gordon Street Center and the East high school has been told to have the assigned 8th grade classrooms ready before spring break, which is the 1st week of April.

PARENTS and COMMUNITY MEMBERS : SIGN UP TO SPEAK at these meetings. Do NOT be bullied by Green into accepting ANYTHING (like he has bullied and disrespected school administrators behind closed doors), do NOT accept RUDE behavior being directed towards you during your speaking time, and if Green gets mad and shows his ARROGANCE like he's done at the last 2 meetings, the Bd. needs to be called on it RIGHT THEN for going along with a dictator.

DO NOT accept the "rumor" explanation by Green: "rumor" = LIES, which we've had ENOUGH OF!

Scare tactics are now being used on employees/teachers - possibility if things don't go Green's WAY, over 3 weeks of pay will be forfeited by everyone. BUT, it's OK for Green to hire 2 friends AND now East High FOOTBALL COACHES during a hiring freeze to the tune of about $300,00.00? Really?

Power can sure go to one's head. The Bd. created this MESS when they relinquished school district control to 1 power-hungry man whom they continue to ENABLE by going along with everything he wants with no regard to who it affects.

Looks like we need a new school Bd. who listens to the people they are SUPPOSED to represent. We voted them in to represent US - NOT represent a superintendent who is determined to control our school district using unspeakable tactics!

#2.1 Be Careful on 02/27/13 at 10:48 PM [Reply]

With all due respect, please listen to reason... go to the meetings(s) and really listen to what the Board and Dr. Green are proposing. Having had children at South, I can tell you it's an aging building in need of hundreds of thousands of dollars of work to sensibly bring it up to speed with other area schools. This plan makes feasible sense and will, in the end, have relatively little, if not improved, impact on student achievement. (Think about it- you're giving some great teachers an even better facility to do what they do best. What do you think will happen?)

In regards to what you refer to as "scare tactics"... um... Dr. Green isn't bluffing when he says employees will take 16 furlough days plus endure the loss of support people around them through layoffs if something isn't done. (Go to the JCSS site, click on Frequently Asked Questions under Facility Utilization Plans on the right. This doesn't appear to be an idle threat.)

So... I guess you need to ask yourself: At what cost do we keep South's aging walls up and the doors open? Do we continue to use the building just to spite Dr. Green and the Board, all the while shedding almost 10% of hard workers' annual income? What will you say to the hundreds of people who get laid off, just so the nostalgic idea of South Jackson Elementary can live on?

My advice Jackson County parents... support your school system and the tough facility utilization decisions that HAVE to be made... have some faith... take this one on the chin and live to fight another day. This isn't the opportunity to remove the Board and Dr. Green that you think it is. The only folks you'll end up hurting are the average employees... you know, your neighbors, friends, and family... and therefore inevitably the students themselves.

P.S. Do your research on the school within a school idea at EJCHS. The world isn't going to end. Many successful systems, especially in rural areas throughout the country, run on similar 8th-grade-in-the-high-school type models. It really will be okay.

#2.1.1 JCSS Employee on 02/28/13 at 12:48 AM [Reply]

This is some of the most even-headed comments made on this subject. People need to really step back and look at the entire picture! JCSS is the largest employer in the county, is anyone thinking about the impact 16 lost days of pay would have on our already sluggish economy?

Also, 8th grade students can already play JV sports with *gasp* high schoolers! KBMS is an awesome facility that should be put to a much better use! SJ should have been closed when the highway was expanded!

I am hoping this will be allowed to come to pass!

#3 JCSS Employee Also on 02/28/13 at 04:42 AM [Reply]

Problems with this situation is not really what you are doing, but its how you are going about it, and as well the attitudes of everyone. Of course people will not support something when you have no consideration for them. Of course we need reduction in expenses to keep operating.

You have not addressed how you think it is actually going to work that you put south jackson into kbms, there are fewer physical classrooms at kbms. How will you do this?

Where are you going to place the special programs? Which school?
There is too much wondering in all of this. You says its so urgent and pressing to get it done, yet you tell people that they need to "trust and support you" yet you dont want to just fully dislose what you have in mind.

As you can see here, I think people really are willing to all do their part. But it should be decided so people you have working in the county can know more of what to expect next year.

When you are flipping peoples lives upside-down and kids are wondering where they will be going to school, all of these are important.

But to those who want to keep talking about things that have nothing to do with this school consolidation, those people are just as much in the wrong as the administration.

As well you have people living in fear. Afraid of being heard.

But also you have people who think they should be able to "do the job i want" or" go to the school I want" when they need to realize that they need to have an "I am willing to do anything you need me to do" attitude.

This "I can do anything you need" attitude needs to be everyones attitude,
INCLUDING DR GREEN!!!!

ATTITUDE IS A REFLECTION OF LEADERSHIP!!

#4 JustPlainOldBob on 02/28/13 at 04:58 AM [Reply]

Please do not raise my taxes.

#4.1 nope on 03/05/13 at 09:48 PM [Reply]

If they try, we'll fight them on that as well!

#5 question???? on 03/01/13 at 11:13 AM [Reply]

Another rumor, who knows?? But, high school students are being told that they may be switched to a 7 or 8 period class schedule next year to save money.....
If that were to be the case, how does that save money? In reading online, looks like most districts went to block scheduling to save money.... Thanks for your help!

#6 I know on 03/01/13 at 02:46 PM [Reply]

Block scheduling means a child sees 8 different teachers a year, 4 first semester, then 4 second semester. A 7 period day a student would only need 6 teachers in most cases, a lot of schools use the 7th period for advisement, homeroom, whatever you want to call it. Less teachers =saving money

#7 JustPlainOldBob on 03/02/13 at 08:57 PM [Reply]

Please don't raise taxes. Almost 4.00 per gasoline is ruining our budget.

#8 Unreal on 03/05/13 at 04:57 PM [Reply]

If the School system is so strapped for money, why has Green hired 4 people from the outside? Why are we paying for 2 head football coaches at East right now? I bet the new coach will also bring in people from the outside...just got rid of the trash at East now it seems that the board Chair is after a little pay back.

#9 who are you talking about? on 03/05/13 at 06:08 PM [Reply]

Is the trash you are referring to Stueck?

#10 Leave our schools alone! on 03/05/13 at 07:11 PM [Reply]

People who are in power make their arrangements in secret, largely as a way of maintaining and furthering their power.
Don DeLillo

Fact:
The financial issue the school system seems to be facing is one that was NOT created overnight.
So, why is Green so bound and determined to cram HIS changes to OUR school system down our throats in such a haphazard manner and in such a SHORT timeline? Sounds like he's just trying to make a name for himself irrespective of who it hurts, how deep it hurts, or whose toes he steps on.

Fact:
The system needs to save money; yet, Green hires 2 friends and approves hiring football coaches at East High, even though HE says there's a hiring freeze.
Where did all this money come from (over $300,000.00) or did it put our school district further in the hole? WHY did the Bd. of Ed. approve this nonsense?

Obviously, a school need NOT be closed for financial reasons because money keeps being spent on friends and football coaches. Why close a GOOD school when we have money? The South Jackson elementary does NOT need "hundreds of thousands worth of work done".

Fact:
The board is a democratically elected body that provides school system leadership and represents the interests of the community on public education issues.
So, why is the Bd. systematically representing Green and his interests instead of LISTENING to the community members, employees, and parents? WE elected you, not Green!

Fact:
The community has SPOKEN! We have told the Bd. we DO NOT want to close South Jackson and relocate our children to Kings Bridge - PERIOD! We DO NOT want 8th graders sent to East High!
What does the Bd. of Ed. not understand? QUIT trying to make us buy in on Green's "plan. Green needs to QUIT trying to turn us into Gwinnett County while continually trying to divide our school system into East and West!

Fact:
The way Green presents himself behind closed doors is detestable.
If he is displeased, he talks DOWN to those he is addressing. When meeting with the Ass't Principals, Green shows his anger and displeasure while YELLING at them. This is NOT an isolated incident - it happens more times than not!

These administrators could be your wife or sister or daughter - why does he feel the need to bully our educators like this? Bd. of Ed. -- this is UNACCEPTABLE!
If Green treats OUR school administrators/teachers like this, what is he willing to do to make sure he gets his way with all his "plans"?

Pursuant to O.C.G.A. 20-2-751.4, the Georgia Bullying Law, we protect our children from hostility, intimidation, and/or a threatening educational environment. We need to protect our employees from the same treatment! The Bd. needs to WAKE UP and review their own policy:

Board Policy:
Harassment includes, but is not necessarily limited to, .... comments of a vulgar or demeaning nature, or demands which are intimidating or create a hostile environment for a student or employee, as well as physical contact.

The employees do NOT deserve to be treated as they are. And, no, this is NOT a "rumor" so don't try and write it off as one - - enough is enough!

Fact:
When questioning Bd. members on specific issues (for example Driver's Ed), certain members say they "haven't heard anything about that" or "that's the first we've heard of that".
Ask the Bd. about the way Green treats people and say they "have never seen that side of him" OR they say it must be a "rumor". Who are you KIDDING?? Is the Bd. of Ed. drinking the same Kool-Aid as Green? You chose the WRONG person to lead our school district - cut your losses and let Green go!

Is this the kind of person we want managing our school system? NO!
Is Green's behavior reflective of a cooperative Superintendent? NO!
He is willing to say anything and do anything in order to proceed with dictating what HE wants to do to OUR school district. He has repeatedly lied to US - the parents, community members, AND employees, but the Bd. believes anything he says. Really?
He is NOT a team player - he is a "ME" player. It's all about what HE wants. He has been rude and condescending at both community meetings and the Bd. saw this behavior - they CANNOT deny his disrespectful manner!

And others say we should use reason concerning the matters at hand? How can one use reason when money is being spent on created positions, football coaches, and who knows what else; yet, we are supposed to be financially "unfit"?
How can one use reason especially when "the one they call Superintendent" is UNREASONABLE, secretive, volatile,and power-hungry?

Leave our schools alone!

#10.1 Be Careful on 03/05/13 at 10:08 PM [Reply]

Let me say this again, as apparently several posters on this site don't seem to understand the enormity of a financial hole Jackson County Schools are in at the moment. 6 million dollars. Where will it come from? Have you seen the news lately? No one is bluffing about any of this, whether it be school closings, layoffs, furloughs, etc. Talk to parents in Cobb, DeKalb, and Fayette counties, just to name a few. Nothing good can come from parents and community members "rising up" and stopping the Board and Dr. Green from closing SJES and/or Gordon Street just to spite them. If you and others succeed, and again I argue that many of you are doing it for selfish reasons, you will ensure every employee in the county system suffers... along with the students they teach and support. Worse yet, you will most certainly seal the deal for mass layoffs. "Absorption" will be out the window... and the pink slips will flow freely. And, yes, I hate to correct you, but South Jackson Elementary needs at least a 100K or more worth of work done to it. For goodness sake, they don't even have heat in their hallways! Have you ever been there during the winter or at night for an event with your child? You need a coat to move between rooms. The bathrooms are dungeons, the floors and walls are crumbling and degrading despite the hard work of the custodial crew, the roof leaks, playground pieces are in dire need of repair/replacement... do I need to go on? Please get your story straight before spouting off. All this call for leaving our schools alone... but at what cost? Will you lend a helping hand to help already struggling families deal with a 16-day pay cut? Will you find those who lose their jobs a new one because you're angry about the way a few employees were hired? Will you pay their mortgage, car payments, medical bills, etc. while they're out of work? Didn't think so. I hate to tell you... but Dr. Green and the Board that we elected will get away with this... and much more. Thank the crony one-sided government in Atlanta and the good ol' boy state of Georgia we live in. It's a right to work state... you can be let go for any reason under the sun. Likewise, if someone rises up the ranks and gains immense power... good luck removing them. You're more likely to win the lottery first. While this whole situation is sad (as is the current state of education in Georgia in general), fighting against the inevitable only hurts those most vulnerable. Like I said in my previous post- live to fight another day. Send

#10.1.1 Be Careful on 03/05/13 at 10:15 PM [Reply]

The remainder of my post (guess I was a little long-winded):

Send your "message" to Dr. Green by banding together and voting the School Board members out, one at a time, until the missing set of checks and balances are restored. Believe me- I don't care for the way any of these people have handled all of these changes as of late., either.. but now is not the time. Support the system and let this one go. Every dog has his day. Your day will come soon enough.

#10.1.2 ?? on 03/05/13 at 11:31 PM [Reply]

I DO have my facts straight - there are NO crumbling walls @ South Elementary. I have/had children there so that's a moot point. If you REALLY think it needs $100,00.00 worth of work, guess the district could have done without a football coach or a created position for a friend.

Absorption? Just Green's word for layoffs or firings. If this goes through, there is NOT enough room in the district for ALL the displaced employees. It's his one way of getting "rid" of those he doesn't want to keep - mark my word on that! He ALWAYS has another plan in his back pocket if things don't go his way the first time.

The 16 furlough days? I am a single JCSS parent and I well KNOW what this means, but THREATS are NO way to win people over. If I have to get a 2nd job, that's what I'll do!

We DO NOT deserve to be treated like stupid 2nd class employees. We DO NOT need to be bullied into keeping our mouths shut, yet we must if we want to keep our jobs. We should NOT have to lie down and roll over just because....

You just don't get it.

#11 They ARE friends on 03/05/13 at 07:42 PM [Reply]

At the last community meeting at East High School, didn't Green say the new principal and new safety director were NOT friends of his?

Uh-oh --- another lie! Here you go:

......“The principal, John Green, is a friend of mine......

http://www.ledgernews.com/sports/eagle-s-stewart-departs-for-coaching-ad-job-in-alabama/article_505f34d3-5cc9-5dae-9f5c-333d950f0253.html

How can the Bd. of Ed. continue this charade and deny what is happening to OUR school district and employees?

The Bd. needs to OPEN their eyes to the lies!

#12 Ms Hill on 03/05/13 at 08:23 PM [Reply]

“The superintendent, John Green, is a friend of mine, and I know what kind of administrator he is and that I’m going to be under great leadership, just as I was at Etowah. I’m going to a good place; and it’s a great place to raise a family, which was first and foremost for me.”
According to Green, who sifted through more than 150 applicants from all over the country, Stewart clearly stood out in the
selection process.
“My first impression of Bill was six years ago when I was principal at North Gwinnett High School and we played Etowah in the second round of the (state) playoffs,” recalled Green, who expects James Clemens to open next fall with more than 1,100 students and eventually grow to around 2,000. “I was very impressed with what he had done in his very first year as head coach of a program that had not had been very successful; and I continued to watch his success as the program evolved.

Jackson County BOE, please do something about this instead of just rubber stamping.

#12.1 You got to be kidding.... on 03/06/13 at 09:27 AM [Reply]

You got to be kidding..."more than 150 applicants from all over the country" when was it published and in how many outlets...

the truth is that Green had planned to hire these two individuals prior to the placing the jobs on the Jackson County website. And please release the names of the 150 applicants..and see who is telling the truth!!!

#13 ejadmin on 03/05/13 at 08:44 PM [Reply]

As for Dr Green talking ruff and ugly and threatening to the administrators I am first hand witness to it. If no one will stand up, then I am sure this will keep on going. The school I am at will now be at full capacity after they move students here. I for one would like to stand up and say "Mr Green, I REFUSE TO LET YOU MESS UP MY SCHOOL, yet I will have to be a good little employee and not buck the upper authority. No one asked my school if we wanted to ad more students. And yet I am told I may not have a job.

#14 Parents Need to to ACTION!!! - RECALL THE SCHOOL BOARD on 03/06/13 at 09:53 AM [Reply]

Recall the School Board!!!!

Parents need to take the school board to task. If they won't listen to the parents concerns and stop this nonsense, it is time to removed school board members from office and elect individuals who will listen to their electorate. A new school board needs to address these problems and get rid of Dr. Green ad replace him with someone who will listen to the parents and staff of the school system. I'm ready to do the recall! How about you!!

#14.1 while we are at it...... on 03/06/13 at 11:24 AM [Reply]

RECALL AND REMOVE THE NEW PRINCIPAL OF EJCHS!!!

The kids and staff all laugh at him and know he's a big joke! He has made several unprofessional remarks to staff, students and parents!
Cut the budget and start with him!

#15 his children.....? on 03/06/13 at 11:21 AM [Reply]

Does Dr. Green have kids in school? If so, do they attend Jackson County Schools?

#15.1 No... on 03/06/13 at 02:48 PM [Reply]

He lives in Gwinnett County and his children are in the Gwinnett school system...does that tell you something...

#16 Concerned parent on 03/10/13 at 10:04 PM [Reply]

Please sign this petition to show the board that we want Dr. Green GONE!!!

http://www.change.org/petitions/jackson-county-board-of-education-force-the-resignation-of-dr-green

#17 Another solution on 03/11/13 at 09:35 AM [Reply]

Another possible solution that could save more money is to close EJMS and move the 6th and 7th graders to KBMS, which is a newer facility, and still move the 8th graders to EJCHS. SJES should remain open. This will not only save money by closing a facility, but it will also eliminate the cost of retrofitting KBMS to become an elementary school. If the plan is truly to use SJES again one day, this shouldn't be a problem.

#18 WANTS HER TO STOP on 03/11/13 at 11:07 PM [Reply]

Please Mrs. (I WANNA GET A PETITION SIGNED) (I DID NOT NAME YOU, BUT YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE), will you try to find something more constructive to do with your time than berating and degrading the BOE and Dr Green. I will be the first to admit that they are imperfect people. From the start of this all YOU yourself have done is to complain, be negative, and drive more of a wedge between the county school system administration and the teachers and students of the county. Dr Green yes is from outside our county. He has come in and has a fresh, new, and maybe unpopular view, yet a needed, much needed, change to the operations of the Jackson County School System. Anytime someone wants to try to cut back, there are people who want to question it. Your way of doing your questioning and complaining is really getting old. Take care of your own family business, and stay out of the county school system operations that you have no real interest in, but to complain and groan because you wanted someone else in a School Job position, but you did not get your way. I think Dr Green knows more about what the School System needs than you do. Get your house in order, get your facts straight, and then try finding somewhere that you will be happy and not find fault. I would say that for you that place does not exist. Seriously, think of all the things you find fault with in the people around you, and in the ones you come in contact with. Maybe the county can save enough money to help you find your Nirvana that does not exist, simply because of your negative attitude.

#18.1 mark boswell on 03/12/13 at 08:23 AM [Reply]

AMEN to that comment by WANTS HER TO STOP!!!!!

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