with another speaker (from a meeting the previous week with the BOE) who compared East Fayette with Hood (built in the 70s: one of the oldest elementary schools in the county) at how much a difference there was between those schools? Both her children went to these schools and she noted just how great the difference was between them (in favor of Hood).

The PTO's in many of the schools have raised the $$$ to purchase the computers that they have. No one is stopping any of the PTO's from doing the same. Recently I heard that the PTO at East Fayette had $$ to buy new playground equipment but was told to wait. If the school remains open, maybe some of this $$ can be used for computers?? They could always buy lots of jump ropes and playground balls, etc. to use outside. this way they get more bang for their buck. just my humble opinion.

Being one who is "in the know"....East Fayette DOES NOT have the money to buy new playground equipment. But, East Fayette is trying to raise money for it (it will take years of fund raising...especially if the school stays open with only 300 or so students....A LOT LESS $$$ that can be raised due in part to less families contributing to fund raising efforts...in addition to all the other more essential things needed). Further, if you saw the playground that the lower elementary grades are using at the school ....you would be concerned for their safety and desire being able to raise money for safer play equipment.

Lots of "needs" not enough $$$.

You say East Fayette has lots of "needs" not enough $$$ - I think that can safely be said about EVERY school, no matter how old it is.

Since you are "in the know," please explain to me why only four short years ago, BIG bucks were spent on expanding and totally renovating and upgrading East Fayette's kitchen. Was there no foresight into the next few years for EFES by the FCBOE?

Regarding your fist paragraph - Heatjam spoke about the computers and the play ground. My Response - keeping with the contextual thread - was in light of the computers and the playground.

Regarding your 2nd (last) paragraph - I am not "in the know" about what the Board of Ed or other county officials do in its decision making. But, since you asked, here is the little I understand: while the BOE does what it can to look ahead into the future, NO ONE five years ago (none of the ATL metro school systems, nor much of this country) had the foresight to see a complete stall in the housing - residential - market while the boom was going on. Foreclosures today are one sign; many built schools - to accomodate future growth - is another sign (not just in Fayette county).

Hindsight makes professors and Monday morning Quarterbacks out of us all.

by the number of computers or the condition of the gyms. Look at your sacred test scores and rates of improvement. Teaching and education is not about stuff...it is about how well the students achieve. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Democracy doesn't always make the "best" decision.

IF the parents of students who attend East Fayette are SO concerned about their child's school, WHY aren't they speaking up???? At the meeting last night, only one parent from East Fayette spoke, and she really shouldn't have, since she didn't follow the guidelines set forth by the B of E. Why should so many children possibly be moved because of the closing of one old school?? I have been at several of the meetings and I have never seen 1 parent from that school!! (except for the committee rep)If these parents don't care...then why should we?? Aren't we our child's best advocate? I don't mean to sound callous, but geez!! They need to take on the responsibility!!

The parent from East Fayette that spoke up was cheered on by teachers from her child’s school...what does that say about the situation? It is only fair to give those children a better learning environment...just like we all want for our children. Why are some people some bent on depriving them from this? Are you so concerned about your house value that you simply can't see the big picture? What kind of society do we live in when we leave behind the most underprivileged?

I am certainly not opposed to them having a better learning environment but the bond referendum was put to the tax payers as a need for 2 new elementary schools due to overcrowding...not to build new schools and "repurpose" one old one. Maybe they need to float another bond referendum to fix/replace East Fayette. But I'll tell you one thing...I have a feeling that if the B of Ed decides to go along with Sammy and "repurpose" this school, I,for one, will NEVER vote to give the board more $$$. Is it cutting off my nose to spite my face?? Absolutely, but I know that my children will be fine because we, as parents, are very involved with them!!! Back to the bonds, if they do change what the parameters were for this referendum I'll bet there is a legal challenge down the line!!! sad but probably true!!

how can you say that you would never vote to give more money to the school? Then to top it off mentioning a legal challenge down the line? At some point you have to cut your losses and move on...

What losses? The loss of a school that if they close it now it will just need to reopen it as a elementary when Inman and Minter are overcrowded in a few years? And yes - I will never vote a bond or SPLOST in if the board ignores what the current bond was for. Hopefully this will be a non-issue.

So I propose......

Let’s rotate all of the schools and their staff through East Fayette on a weekly basis.
This would let everybody experience the true quality of life and the “teaching” conditions that all Fayette County students learn under.... It was suggested to us, at the BOE meeting, by a speaker from Lakemont, to look for Fair Representation. Well, I believe this most certainly would give a fair representation of the critical picture to her and to any who doubt the need of the repurposing
of East Fayette..... The air would be filled with a different sentiment and some subdivision would definitely be focusing on the weather forecast when it was their turn. Every child is IMPORTANT...... Let us all champion their cause..... Is it not our RESPONSIBILITY to act for those who are too little to act for themselves?

Is it not our RESPONSIBILITY to act for those who are too little to act for themselves?

Is it not first and foremost the PARENTS responsibility to act for THEIR children who are too little to act for themselves???? Obviously many East Fayette parents are happy with the school since they are not speaking up about how awful the conditions are at that school. Would they like a brand new school?? I'm sure that they probably would, but I know that if my child attended that school, you bet your bottom dollar that I would have jumped on the "let's close the school band wagon" and have spoken up at each and every opportunity. It is not the responsibility of the thousands of other children who would be directly affected.

Do we only care about the concerns that directly touch the lives of our own children?

The answer to this question should be emphatically and resoundingly NO!

Should I only care and jump on the band wagon if it hurts my child?....Your position can be interpreted this way. Why are their so many service organizations that donate their time, effort, and money to help people to help themselves? A helping hand is not a handout, but a hand up. The East Fayette PTO needs our voices and our help ...... Have you been to their website? I have.
They are speaking..... Is anyone listening? I am ... Are you???????????

Think about what you hear on Sunday and do the right thing ... fight for everybody's child. Look at the East Fayette PTO's web site and then you will realize they want a change as well.

Maybe they're happy with the closing.

I yam what I yam...Popeye

Well then maybe they should express that view point to the Board. Because there were an awful lot of voters there last night letting the board know that they don't want to see it closed!!

Maybe they would like their kids to go to a new school. Looks like they can get that by saying nothing at all.

I yam what I yam...Popeye

I might be wrong, but the B of Ed are politicians and they do have to ultimately answer to the taxpayers/voters...fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me!!

I totally agree!!! Mrs. Harp I can see your grandson now!@!! Such a cutie!