Entries by Mike Buffington

There’s an on-going debate in education over what truly affects student learning. Is it the family demographics and stability of home life; or is it the quality of teachers and instruction that most affects performance? [Full Story »] 

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.

You have to hand it to Nicholson leaders, they know how to stir up more useless debate than just about any town in the area. [Full Story »] 

Four people arrested in 2008 for animal cruelty due to conditions at a Nicholson kennel were again indicted by a Jackson County grand jury last week. [Full Story »] 

County and city officials are meeting later this week to discuss details of what to put on a new SPLOST that would be voted on by citizens this summer or next fall. [Full Story »]