So well put, sure hope you are there tonight. 7.00 pm Starrs Mill. Would you call it home field advantage for Sweat!!!

Why is he having the meeting in the only district not changing .... oh, I know why! My bad!

You're right, cruiserman; the whole deal stinks. Just a reminder that the BOE is holding a public hearing on the new school district lines tonight, Tuesday, Oct. 24, at the Duke Auditorium adjacent to Rising Starr Middle School and Starr's Mill High School. Doors open at 6 pm, the hearing starts at 7 pm. Those wishing to speak must sign up at the meeting and will have 5 minutes.

I do not understand your point! If you have an issue with your school, public or private you should be able to voice your opinion! I hope you never have any complaints about your private school and when you do remember to not complain!

Why do you now have hindsight with transfering to FCHS? Did you not like McIntosh? Did you feel there was a bigger drug problem at McIntosh?

FCBOE Non-Elected Representatives have done another disservice to our PTC community! I bet their kids don't attend any of the schools that they changed! From experience, In the past I've written and called FCBOE/CW Cambell with issues and concerns. Not only did he lie to me about what his plans were to correct the issue - he completely ignored the issue and 2 years later it still has not been resolved. Although Booth's demographics will now have a majority of middle-class household children, did they consider that Booth will also have more low income demographics than any other Fayette County School??????????????? Demographics change everything about a school; Not only does it threaten the previously overall high test scores it effects the quality of education for the remaining students. I realize that not all low income children are bad, but it's a fact that low income demographics have more issues with drugs, gangs, etc. So, with that being said...I'm sure the FCBOE Representatives children will not be effected by any of the changes.

Wow, mominvolved, your shallow point of view really made my hair stand on end. How pathetic. This world would be in big trouble if the only indicator of a good school was test scores. Your kids obviously didn't go to Peachtree City Elementary or Oak Grove. Welcome to my world. These are fabulous schools with top notch teachers and the kids get an excellent education - both academically and socially. Our test scores are not at the top of the heap and probably never will be. So, if at Booth, a few kids leave the school, are you saying that the teachers stop teaching and your children stop learning? And please, what is this nonsense about how terrible it will be to lose the "rich" neighborhoods??? That is an insult to every other family who has a child at Booth. My gosh, not everyone who has money chooses to go the neaveaux riche route and buy a huge house and fancy car. In all of your so-called "middle class" neighborhoods, you may have millionaires who think it's wiser to spend their money on more important things. And to the parents who think everyone in PTC should go to PTC schools forever, take a look at the maps. A huge percentage of PTC kids go to Rising Starr and Stars Mill which are in Fayetteville. And as for Mayor Logsdon, he has proven time and time again that he is a loser and has no class. He is a wannabe. As Mayor, he should be supporting the BOE or at least keeping his mouth shut. Logsdon is an embarrassment just like Sonny Purdue.

First of all let me explain "rich" to you. Wealth is all about having choices in life. Such as the ability to go to the schools of your choice, and purchase homes and cars of your choice, without anyone elses approval. If a tiny minority of children from any Peachtree City neighborhood were moved out of their community schools people would be upset. It should not matter whether they are rich, poor, middle class or what ever label you care to give them. In the case of the Starrs Mill/Rising Starr redisticting the community was cut in half. This has not been done this time and maybe it needs to be done. Unfortunately it is only the rich who usually have the ability to get around it by moving or going to private schools. It is also amusing to me that Harold Logsdon would be a loser when he speaks the truth. Why should he support the BOE when their decision is detrimental to a section of his constituents
I believe he should be commended.

My neighborhood is one of the north Peachtree City neighborhoods that is being moved. My concerns are not that the children will attend a new school which is further away than Booth -- the kids can take the bus, and it is just for a few years. But we all know that a few years down the road there will be a new high school at that location and these neighborhoods will then be yanked out of McIntosh and sent to that school. Something is wrong when the close neighborhoods to McIntosh (such Parkway Estates and Stoneybrook)will have to drive by that school in order to attend their high school. I also have problems with the Superintendent allowing the school board to "tweak" the boundaries which the relocation staff spent so many hours working on. For instanct, Lexington had originally been included along with the northern neighborhoods to relocate, but a board member decided it should stay at Booth for personal reasons. Lexington is directly east of the neighborhoods which are being moved and must be driven through to get to the new middle school. What sense does that make? This should be an equitable system; not one which allows school board members special perks.

You are right! There is no way this fits into the master plan for the one middle, one high feeder system. How can you have children so close (under a mile from McIntosh) leave the city and have to take a bus to a high school in the next city. They need to look down the road and not move kids back and forth. Janet Smola said the new Westvillage is currently zoned Flat Rock/ Sandy Creek. Are they really going to leave it this way when there are hundreds of new families living there? I just can't imagine they will drive by all the North PTC homes and go to school. No real planning!

When has planning ever been a priority of the school board. Peachtree City has no representation on the board and it shows.
Now is the time to rally and make sure that in future we are represented before this small group of PTC children are moved out of their community for their High School years. Building schools in areas where there is no population is a joke. As if their self admitted mistake of Sandy Creek wasn't enough for them.

I believe you are right. I have posed the question "How can you hear the McIntosh band from your lawn and still have to catch a bus to a new high school in a different city?". The off the record response I have gotten is the whole Westvillage, Ardenlee, Maple Shade etc. will be going north. If you look on the zoning map they have already zoned north of Centenial through Amli (Kedron Village) to FLat Rock/ SC NOW. They will all be leaving PTC also. We NEED help on the schoolboard-- Sam Sweat and Decotis only care about the south side.

Westvillage, Ardenlee, Maple Shade...etc. are not going north. The plan is set.

You are so right none of those subdivisions will ever be rezoned. But just remember these words of comfort if they are. "No child has the right to go to any school and all Fayette County schools are equal" Board member quote. I found that quite comforting and wish I had worked it out for myself.

… Speaking of a “shallow point of view”, you should read your own emotional comments before clicking your mouse. Calling your mayor and governor names only dismisses the substantive things you pointed out. Please – learn to make a good point and leave the personal attacks out. You’ll sound much more intelligent and be taken more seriously. As for support of the FCBOE, they made a mistake by appointing a politically bias committee without professional qualifications to make an important recommendation. The real shame is that no one seems to understand that “school choice” for those who can afford it, include more than the Fayette County Public Schools. As far as I know, there have been no impact studies done on how many of these families with means will even stay in the public school system if the alternative is for their children to be bused out of town.

Lego, judging from your many postings in support of Harold Logsdon, you're obviously a fan of his. I am not. If you can praise him, I can criticize him. By Harold opening his mouth and sticking his foot in it, the PTC citizens have every right to say what they think about his behavior. Speaking of emotional - why do you think the committee is politically biased? On what grounds do you make that statement? Who would you recommend be on the committee instead?

My other posting simply says that it (Booth) will be a “challenge” if the proposed boundaries stay. That’s a much more optimistic view than what the mayor reportedly has. Everyone who lives in Fayette County has a “political bias” even if they don’t admit it. My preference would have been to have professionals hired to do impact studies before any recommendation was made. As far as we know, no outside surveys, studies, or demographic analysis was done. Also, we aren’t allowed to see anything other than the recommendation of the committee. What do the 2nd and 3rd alternative maps the committee MUST have debated look like? Why can’t the public see an open process?

Property values are greatly influenced by what schools your kids will attend. You may not like it or agree but the bottom line is, that's why most people buy what they buy and where they buy. Mominvolved has every right to be upset.

I didn't notice that mominvolved said anything about property values. I thought she was concerned about the quality of her children's education. My bad.

Your sarcasm confounds me. The blog topic is about redistricting isn't it? Since that seems to be the case, is the alleged decline in the school going to affect property values, or, is the fact that they will attend a different school going to affect property values, or both? Why would those be seperate issues if the topic is redistricting? I agree with RightOn - mom can be angry about being moved if she wants. I would be too if I were in her situation.

If someone can prove that property values will be impacted, won't that theory apply to any PTC neighborhood? So what are they suggesting, don't move my kids and salvage my property values but go ahead and move someone else's kids in PTC and impact theirs?

You actually need someone to \\\'prove\\\' to you that schools impact property values? Property values are currently established taking that in to consideration. When you change the school, you change the property value, sometimes for the better - sometimes not. I hope you don\\\'t file any flight plans for me or mine. Geez.

You're comments are right. I should have been more clear. What I meant was that the property values would be impacted "negatively".

Where is it written, anywhere, that if you buy a home in a given area you kids will go to school at a specific school? It's certainly NOT written into your property deed.

It's written NOWHERE!

School districting has NEVER worked like that.

As for looking at maps you're going to need one that shows population density as well as other factors in order to determine which kids should go to witch schools. It NOT determined by mileage/proximity alone.

Just because you thought your kid would go to a certain school because you bought a house in a certain area only shows you have NO IDEA how things really work.

Face it, you thought WRONG. It's probably not you're first or the last time being wrong either.

Get over it.

So you do not agree that children go to school within the community they live in? It really does not matter if it is one town over as long as it is representative of their community. To pick and choose kids from random subdvisions all over the county to fill a school built in the wrong place does not seem to be anything anyone signed up for.

Hopefully when they release plan B and Ardenlee, Crabapple Woods and Maple Shade go to Flat Rock no one should complain as there are no such thing as Peachtree City Schools and they are 2 miles closer to Flat Rock than Booth.

What is it with some of you. There is no Plan B. The plan is set. Ardenlee, Crabapple Woods...etc. are not going to Flat rock.

Learn which from witch. Must be a liberal Freudian slip

I thought I had corrected that.

Sorry & Thanks

To much Halloween candy I guess.

necessary! We all make mistakes (I've made some whoppers!) It was nice to have a little "which witch is which" fun! Thank YOU!

We have those now? This Harry Potter-thing must be getting WAY out of hand!

My family has given up on the public schools and have opted for private schools. My children attend Hogwarts.

Photo: College antics, circa 1978.

ride a golfcart or a broom to school?

The broom is a clubcar200.

I'm sorry for these kids having to move to - yet another - school. I'm afraid everyone with kids at WHS or WMS will be trying to sell their home. I wish you luck!

Have you contacted the FBCOE and asked for permission to let your kids finish where they are now?

The mayor was just being honest(if the statement attributed to him was actually expressed out loud). If he did make that statement, you should see it as a refreshing change from the rampant political correctness (even if you disagree with the prediction) we usually get from our elected officials these days. Have you considered who “supports” the extracaricular activities at Booth. Thought about who pays for the extras for the band, or the football and basketball programs… how about the wrestling mats? Well, if you guessed the Fayette County School System, you got it wrong. The “voluntary booster clubs” have served Booth well in the past. If the boundary changes stand, it will be a challenge in the future.

The statement the Mayor made was based on fact. The largest contributors of money are from the neighborhoods being moved. But much more importantly the largest number of volunteer hours are logged by the people in these subdivsions. Look at your PTO board look at the people working in the schools day in and day out. Thats why teachers, Ted Lombard and the Mayor are concerned. These are hard facts go check them out next time you are volunteering at Booth.

Although, I would hate to see them move, Booth should be fine. You don't have to live North and or East of the Parkway to care about Booth. There are many fine neighborhoods left in Peachtree City. IF you don't believe it, take a ride around.

I still think it will be a shame for those kids not to be able to attend McIntosh, when it's right in their backyard ( assuming the boundries don't change again when the new High School comes online.)

*

I can understand the concern about large contributions, but I'd have to see the proof about volunteerism. Quite frankly, I'm not concerned about the volunteerism. Any void will be filled. The rest of us on the "other side of the tracks" are capable of volunteering and taking charge of activites. I guess what bothers me most is the attitude of the Mayor and others...It's as if we, those that have children attending Booth next year, don't count or at least not as much. How are we suppose to feel when the Mayor walks around all mopey and depressed. I guess we are suppose to follow the rich neighborhoods around like "bottomfeeders". Hey, the rich go here, well, then, we need to go here. The rich think like this, so I guess I need to think like this. It's ridiculus! The Mayor is suppose to represent all of us. Booth is suppose to be for all the students that attend it. The school will be fine. The Principal and the teachers will focus on what they do best and they'll see that parents will respond and the student body will still be best in class.

If you need proof of volunteerism at Booth from the affected neighborhoods that is proof enough to me that you have never stepped a foot in that school to volunteer for anything. You would know these great women on first name terms as most of them spend as much time at the school as they would a full time job.

The jealousy factor always rears its ugly head at times like these. THe rich got rich by hard work and giving back. The hours of hard work and dedication of ALL the volunteers at Booth is done for the benefit of all children and not just the "rich". The amazing volunteers give freely of their time for everyone. That is the great part about this town, you have housewives, CFOs, doctors, project managers, economists all painting rooms, pulling weeds, binding books etc. They have chosen to make their schools the best they can be. How about "Thank you volunteers for all you do" instead of your jealous tirade of the "rich"

Ronaldo, maybe you ought not to post on this site if you get so worked up. You sound really angry. You know, anger is not a healthy thing.

I happen to agree with you about building wealth and the volunteers, of which I know a few. There is no jealousy here. Don't make a problem where there isn't one. Believe me, I do quite well and have nothing to be jealous of anybody about. I don't live in the affected neighborhoods and have many friends that do live there. You misunderstand my frustration. It is not the "rich" or the neighborhoods of the "rich" that I have a problem with. My frustration is with the Mayor and others. It's the ATTITUDE that somehow Booth will be a lesser school because of the redistricting. I don't believe it. I know alot about the school.

Again, as for volunteerism. I have personally thanked them many times. However, the fact is that there will be plenty of hard working and dedicated and loving parents that will willingly give of their time to step in and help. That is one of the great things about PTC. All of us care about our schools. We all care and we all make whatever sacrifices needed in order to not only make our schools best in class but even better.

So, I think the Mayor ought to retract his statement and come out and reassure the public that the schools will still provide the best education in the state.

If I lived anywhere in Peachtree City but Stoneybrook/Smokerise, I'd be seriously offended by my mayor calling my kids dumb like that. Where's the study that shows the intelligence in the rest of the neighborhoods is lower?

First of all, Stoneybrook & Smokerise are NOT the only expensive neighborhoods in PTC. Second, there are plenty of well-educated, affluent people who choose not to spend all their money on a house and instead live modestly. Third, money has nothing to do with how much you care about your child's education - I have seen some very supportive & involved parents who are by no means "rich". Finally, are you trying to tell me that *all* of the kids on the Science Olympiad team live in Stoneybrook & Smokerise? And how about the quality of the staff at Booth? Are those fabulous teachers going to disappear because the kids from a couple affluent neighborhoods leave? I don't think so. Booth is a great school and will continue to be a great school - complete with generous volunteers. Best wishes to those moving on to Bennett's Mill, but I have to say, I am thrilled to be one of the lucky ones staying in the Booth & McIntosh zones.

I know a ton of folks on the northeast side of Peachtree Parkway in the Kedron Hills, Stoney Brook, and Smokerise Plantation houses.

Most are not rich by any means, especially those in Kedron Hills (who seem to be the most vocal).

Kedron Hills, until recently could be bought into for 300k. One only needs a slight six-figure income to afford it, especially with creative financing. Plus, a lot of them got burned by Delta's bankruptcy, etc., so they aren't as well-off as you'd imagine. Sure, there are a couple of local celebrities there, and a few multi-millionaires, but most folks in these neighborhoods are firmly part of the middle class.

Rich isn't owning a 700k house and a nice BMW. That's not rich anymore. It's middle class (especially if said items are financed).

Rich means you own many expensive homes, and are the CEO of a major corporation.

I think a lot of you have your heads in the clouds. If you think you're so rich, you can afford to send your kids to any school you want.

Fayette County will soon be no different than the other countiest that were admired: Cobb, Dekalb, Clayton, Rockdale, etc.

Go to the department of education. The Demographics of this state are that 50% or more are on free and reduced lunch. Georgia is a state in which the majority are in poverty, and poverty is growing. The middle class is shrinking. I'm not going to lay blame here for that, but it's a fact. Georgia is not growing economically (unless you truly are super rich, and that probably isn't YOU).

Spyglass neighborhood here, certainly not the fanciest, but lots of good folks.

Harold, stay out of FCBOE politics--- you are embarrassing us. Stick to being a PAC-man foot soldier like Stinson.

Hearing Harold's goofy comment about Booth being "decimated" reminds me of the Yogi Berra-isms that have beocme famous. Example: "nobody goes to that restaurant anymore...it's too crowded."

I would compare Logsdon to Yogi but he ain't too funny and Yogi ain't crooked.

Sam Sweat was NOT elected and he ran the show. Love the Reagan pic by the way!

Take 3 days off and visit fifth grade classes at Crabapple, Kedron, and Cleveland. Then ask yourself which middle school you'd rather your children attend, J.C. Booth or Bennette's Mill?

Perhaps I am wrong, but I believe that nearly all of the students who attend Kedron Elem. will go to Booth, a lot of students from Crabapple Elem. will still go to Booth, and the students from Cleveland Elem. will largely go to Bennett's Mill. So what is your point? I live in the Kedron area, and one of my children attended Crabapple, so I know that a lot of those students will now be going to Bennett's Mill, but a lot will still attend Booth -- students from Ardenlee, Crabapple Woods, and areas around there will be attending Booth. So I'm a little confused by your comment about visiting those 3 schools.

My post was a comment to “not again” who suggested we ask the kids where they would like to go. The implication was that any kid would rather go to a new school than an old school. I think that parents of kids this age can make better informed decisions than the children. We go to Crabapple, Booth, and McIntoch now so I know the quality of these. My main point was that all of Cleveland will go to Bennett’s Mill and virtually all of Kedron will go to Booth. The contrast should tell you who your children would rather be in school with and who you would rather them befriend. No pre-judgment needed; just observation.

The contrast should tell you who your children would rather be in school with and who you would rather them befriend.

Wow, that's harsh and extremely judgmental. I would rather my kids go to school with kids who are not being raised by a parent who thinks like this.

I would not be upset with my kids going to any school in Fayette County. And I would not move to keep them in the same district. Life is change, and learning to adapt. I'd rather them be learning that lesson while I'm still around to have input and give guidance.

Compare Fayette Schools to others in our state. There are no BAD Fayette schools.

Tell me, was I judgemental toward Kedron kids or Cleveland kids? Looks like a good debate we've started here. That was my purpose... to incourage involvement. Thanks.

How strange to move the highest property tax payers in PTC out to make room for all the illegal alians who are boarded up 30 to a house in Glenloch. Enjoy Booth - we did.

It ain't over 'till it's over We have a plan to all wear confererate flag shirts so Sam Sweat and John DeCotis will let us go to RSMS.

Fayette County schools COULD be great if we had a decent BOE. Until parents of Fayette County get involved and make the board answer for all of the wrong doings that go on.....it's a long way from great. Sorry!!

Well, I guess you’re right, “great” is an overstatement. I don’t think the battle is over but assuming the boundaries stand we will all look back and see the past as “great”. I’ve lived in many parts of the U.S. and PTC is the first place my family and I have been comfortable in the public school system. Each time we’ve moved our experience with public schools have been disappointing. Fortunately for us Booth was GREAT when compared with the others. It’s the first time we haven’t had to “pay twice” (our phrase for sending the kids to private schools). Thanks for the reality check!

Does anyone know what plans are in store for the next high school and where it will be located? Looks like the county has high schools in all areas except North Fayette. You have to admit whether you want to or not, the whole north end of the county is being sent to SCHS and it doesn't make sense. I thought the gas situation with the busses was going to figure in to the new lines. Also, does anyone know plans for the next middle school? Looks like a new high school and middle school need to be built in North Fayette.

It is proposed to be on 54 down from the hospital opposite the Cleveland Elem complex.

live in PTC! HO HO...no I really share your pain....it isn't fair and if you were at the meeting, it was tough to swallow. They try to thow out something stupid, and if nobody jeers, the stuff gets ..REALLY deep!

Parents & Kids never wanted to pull away from MacIntosh H.S. & Fayette County H.S. 12+ years ago when the 3rd High School was built in the county Sandy Creek. They complained, faught and are still upset about it 12 years later. GET OVER IT! In order for a new school to become successful parents and kids need to be excited about the new growing developments. Attending the new schools, supporting them, attracting the best teachers in the county and making the new school the BEST! All the neighborhoods that have been drawn into the Bennett's lines have wonderful kids and it will become a great Middle School and new High School in the county but only with our 100% support. It is the new growing area of the county with tons of new neighborhoods poping up everywhere and some of the best established neighborhoods in the county. And who knows in 12+ years we will probably have another 4 more High Schools built. Our schools are the number one reason we live here in the first place- thanks FCBOE!

You need to do what I did. Print out the map for the middle schools. Then mark the location of all middle schools and elementary schools. Post it on a wall and step back and look at the BIG picture and not just your little corner of the world. Given what was already there the Board and Superintendent did a fair job. Is this the way I would have done it? No, but I really don't see how I could have changed it much with out people in CERTAIN cities and neighborhoods complaining. The new middle school district map is a compromise. Please try to see it that way and move on with your lives. If you want to be certain that your child goes to a specific school, buy a house right next to the school. That will be the only way to be sure you go to that school.

For those PTC parents whining about being redistricted, please try to remember that there is more in Fayette county other than PTC. Why don't you look at how the BOE handles other areas like Tyrone and Brooks.

Tyrone is growing very fast and if you look at the map, nothing changed in the developing area for Tyrone.

Look at the Whitewater district, It is mind boggling that those people in the Whitewater subdivision are going to Rising Starr when Whitewater is at their back door and Whitewater isn't anywhere near being as crowded as Rising-Starr.

Again, this map is meant as a compromise. Just let the school system get back to teaching our kids. There are great teachers at every school. If you are the type of parent that is involved in your child's education, then your child will do great where ever they go.

I think they did a very difficult job properly. Those who are concerned about the impact on their own 1.8 children should consider running for school board next time. Or is that too much trouble and you find it easier to complain?

Think about how difficult it is to draw these boundaries, and think how you would do a better job without the luxury of personal interest. Think about that - then reply,

Yes, we will have the racists hollering "racism" and we will hear from those who can't get up early enough to drive their kids to school (by the way, there is a bus - you know).

The committee did have "the luxury of personal interest", that's the problem. One persons "scalpel" is another's "meat cleaver". Outside, unbiased professionals should have been hired to make this recommendation.

WHERE IS MY OUJI BOARD?

Can anybody tell me why they don't build schools with two or more stories here?

Up, please excuse me, North it's common to have a school that is two or three stories.

It seems to me that no sooner than open a new school around here and the trailers start growing out in the parking lots. Does the builder plant them first?

And one I've asked many times, but no one seems to have an answer. McIntosh is 2 stories, and I think FCHS (or parts of it) may be (can't remember... only been inside once). It makes SO much sense to have them be 2 stories, In My Not So Humble Opinion (IMNSHO...get it?).