I am not a teacher, do not have a Ph.D, or MBA. But I do have a modicum of common sense. Could someone please tell me why we have to pay such large salary and bonuses to those working for the GA lottery? Does anyone really believe those stupid ads (which must cost a pretty penny) induces anyone to buy lottery tickets? Those who are going to buy them will buy them without those pricy television commercials. Anyone with average intelligence should be able to run this department--the salaries are over the top and bonuses not needed. How much paper, light bulbs, and other supplies would the school system be able to purchase if they cut these salaries and did away with the bonuses? If those working there now decided to leave I am sure there are plenty willing to take their place. This money is supposed to go to education and nothing else. Let's start pushing for this department to be streamlined and run reasonably.

You gotta be kidding me... Re-bill property owners because you inapt monkeys can't spend just what you bring in...!!
I am taxed to death as it is... I think being taxed for property I already payed tax on when I bought it is ludicrous...
I for one am starting to say "DEATH TO CEASER" (bible reference)

OK...so who is going to do something about it?
Submitted by suggarfoot on Wed, 01/07/2009 - 7:14pm.
People have stepped forward in the last election n ran against Smola and Smith.
What did you do?

You voted them both back in!

They, along with Wright, have kept a strangle holt on the other 2 on the BOE,
who now sit there powerless, 2 good people,
with educational backgrounds,

while
Smola has ...NONE...!
Wright has ...NONE...!

and Smith?

..was... a teacher,

who is married to a developer, and doesn't teach any more.

Later, after Smith n Smola were voted in, and it seemed the ink wasn't dry, they came up with SPLOST, and said whoops, we made a mistake! We need more money, but don't ask us to be accountable, and everyone felt dupped and dumped on.

AGAIN,

someone stepped forward and spent their own money to run as a write in...

What did you do?

Like a bunch of mindless cattle herded to the slaughter house,
you voted them in again!

Until you do something beside whine, they are going to keep making an ASS out of you! May I remind you that DeCotis is at the mercy of the BOE...he does what they say!

So...who is going to step forward and get a petion going to oust these guys? It isn't hard...you just have to do it!

Untill there is an answer...don't whine...you voted for it, and you got it!

My son came home telling me that his middle school teachers were given 3 reams of copy paper and told that was all they were getting for the semester? Has anyone else heard this one?

What is worse is that his 7th Grade Math Class does not use a textbook. So are you telling me that a teacher with 5 classes of 20 students will only have 15 sheets of copy paper for a semester? And no text book?

You have to be kidding me. Fire an administrator before we end up with this level of idiocy.

Tell me Mr. DeCotis, is there a pattern here?

MSNBC:
CBO sees record $1.2 trillion '09 deficit
Employment worries send stocks sliding
U.S. 2008 planned layoffs most in five years
Stores worry holiday sales may be permanent

CNNMoney:
Some bad omens for key jobs report
$1.2 trillion deficit looms
Obama: $1 trillion deficits 'for years'

AJC:
Demand grows for tax refund loans
Metro Atlanta's economic fate tied to real estate
Pending home sales plunge to record low
Economist: Georgia’s job losses to grow until 2010
Atlanta home prices plummet

Bloomberg:
U.S. Stocks Drop, Erasing Most of ’09 Gains; Alcoa, Intel Fall
Intel Fourth-Quarter Sales Drop 23%, Missing Forecast (Update5)
Time Warner to Report Loss After $25 Billion Charge (Update3)

Business Week:
Jobs: Big December Loss Coming
Dollar slides on bleak corporate outlooks

If the FCBoE wants more money from me they’ll have to take me to court to get it.

Is it me or is this just a coincidence? I have two kids in this school system. For the first time that I can remember, we were not asked to provide proof of residency this year. Now, with Clayton County having lost it's accreditation and all of a sudden Fayette County Schools are this desperate for money????????????? Is anyone else smelling that?

The government has never done anything well and never will. Stop bellyaching about higher taxes for lower quality schools. Do something about it! If you want better schools, higher pay for teachers, better schools, then privatize the school system. Get rid of the kids that have no interest in educating themselves, they will end up as drug dealers and crooks anyway. Stop penalizing the good teachers and students and reward them with an educational system that really works. Enough is enough.

Let's see...

Bennett's Mill is at a one-third capacity w/full administration
...East Fayette was closed down
.....Kids are being bused to Inman to fill up an unneeded school.
.......Rivers Elementary is now to be mothballed as it's not needed.

Guess what Smola want to do as soon as SPLOST passed -
Build a magnet school in Tyrone!!

Don't forget these times Fayette County!

Seems we have our own Clayton-like meltdown happening in Fayette. I remember all those holier than thou individuals ridiculing Clayton's BOE for their problems and now here we are. Let's not be so arrogant and self righteous and realize that the problems we all face in our communities are made by people who entered these elected positions with the best of intentions. As we move forward in times unseen since the Depression, we need less calls for heads and more for positive and realistic remedies.

feels now that they have been publicized worldwide for the big mess they made, and stepped back into it!

It appears to me that most of BOE's ideas will fall back on the staff, whether it is cutting benefits, shortening the year, cancelling raises; seems nothing is hitting the top.

It has been said by others, and I agree, what have those at the top given up? What have they done except to ask underlings to sacrifice? As I read about PR people, assistants to the assistants of the assistants, deputy whatevers, et al, it would appear that cutting out many of those higher paid positions would reap many more dollars, immediately, as it seems there is a great need to restructure. It also appears that these higher paid folk are not doing their job well, which is why they find themselves in this position.

I'm simply amazed that all the suggestions hurt the ones who actually teach, actually work with the students. I agree with the person who said if a principal is out, the school still runs. Most of us know, "the boss" can be out for weeks yet the business or an office keeps on going.

How about the BOE employees try all of these suggestions, and lead by example by doing it themselves, take a cut in pay, take a cut in benefits, shorten year, unpaid days off, etc. See how it works for them, before asking the folks in the trenches to give up so much.

"DeCotis said that if the legislature fails to act the school board would “more than likely have to close down the school system for several days.”"

Another threat..........

ZoeS

"Never love anything that can't love you back."

Mr. DeCotis, I'll begin by knowledging that I do not know you personally nor professionaly and therefore,comments made here by me are not of a personal nature. Now, facts that I am aware of: We are building multi million dollar schools at a time when there is no growth in the student base (good idea only if there is overcrowding), we still have a problem with out of county students attending our schools at an approximate cost of $8,500.00 per student per year, the BOE recently voted themselves a pay raise (bad times), Fayette county teachers (who like police officers and Fire/EMS officers are well underpayed)are being asked to give back a recent minial 2% pay raise?, you are about to begin enjoying the benefits of a controversial ESPLOST fund, you spent a large amount of money on a private contractor to make recommendations on how to restructure the school student base, and whatever other initiatives the board may have taken that I or the citizens are not aware of. Now you are asking the county commission to re-compute property taxes to offset a POSSIBLE shortfall in school funding. Looks to me like you want to get on the bailout bandwagon at a county level. Sir, you need to relook the priorities affecting our school system, without talking about doing away with school programs, and start again. Lead by example - Give yourself and the board a pay cut. "Sell" the rights to those unfinished new schools to other county or city entities which may have a use for them, that way we do not waste what has been spent on them already. Make an aggressive effort to go get those out of county violators attending our schools. Replace computer systems next year instead of this one. Increased taxes on an already overburdened citizen base is not the answer. Looking at the whole picture, seems some citizen comments are correct when they point to the possibility that the board has failed to perform at their professional and pay level.

Let's get this right! We built a house in Fayette County back in 1992, EVERY year our taxes have increased due to the BOE. Are you not required to KNOW how much you have coming in to KNOW how much you need to pay out? Come on - you are teaching our children what? To overspend and then beg for more. You guys are like kids in a candy store. Where does it end? At what point do we say "NO"! Look where cuts would be feasible - NOT in the classroom. I see half empty buses running, trailors at overcrowded schools, half-empty schools, schools being built not will not open, property for sale. It is time that Fayette County as a whole get with the program! BOE and FC Commissioners need to work hand in hand with the explosion of budgets and developments.

The peasants should rise....

And many of you just voted them more SPLOST monies in these difficult times?

Just got off the phone with the County Commissioners Office. Their basic reaction was "WHAT is in the Citizen??!!" Turns out that this notion of DeCotis (aka Supt. Ratatouille) has not made it on to the Commission's agenda yet. They sounded a little taken aback by Supt. Ratatouille shooting off his mouth like this, and seem to be very aware that passing such a measure would severely affect re-elections. I then talked to the Superintendent's office. Julie is already having a hectic morning with phone calls, it seems. Keep them coming!!

ptcmom678

I believe that most of us want to do what is right for the school system. Decotis is the leader, so he should lead the way. Start by giving back the raise that elevated his salary to higher than that of the govenor. Why have we heard no mention of this? Isn't he a leader truly capable of giving us the best? That is what we were told when he got the raise. Well the hard part of leadership is some times you have to step up to the plate. Decotis, it's your turn. Lead the way and give up your raise (all of it) and that will set the example to the rest of us that our children come first. It is easy to ask the teachers to give up thier raise, now do the tough thing (which happens to be the right thing) and give up your raise first.

Good morning all, just so gald to be here this morning, anyway time to head out to the grindstone to work for that .50 Cents on the dollar after taxes. You know this country was founded on the principal of no taxation without representation, wars have been fought over less..Have a nice day Mr Decolitis.....

Is DeCotis out of his frigging mind? We have two foreclosures that I know of in my neighborhood, and have seen our taxes go UP. It was a real struggle this year to pay our tax bill on time due to family unemployment. THERE AIN'T NO EXTRA MONEY HERE EITHER!! This is total bull. If there was a shortfall, why are there new schools going up? Why were we voters urged by everyone remotely connected to FCBOE to vote for SPLOST? I am so glad I didn't vote for it, and will definitely be contacting the Fayette County Commissioners by phone as soon as the offices open, and plan to attend the next County meeting. If this is the best the Fayette County Board of Education can come up with, we most definitely need new members, and a new superintendent. How DO you get a recall movement started again?

SIDENOTE - interesting timing - there's a "housekeeping" Fayette County Commis. meeting scheduled today at which, according to the website, official actions can be taken. Please call and let them know that this issue had better not get decided today in hopes of escaping public censure- oops, commentary.

Beam me up Scotty, theres no intelligent life left down here. What happened to pride, integrity, honor, accountability, respect not only for yourself but others as well. BOOT DECOLITIS...

No more tax for me please. I am over budget for at least the next four years. However I do not think that our overworked and underpaid teachers should should suffer because our elected public servants don't know how to cut the FAT. The fat being educating the children of illegals. Hell we can't even say No to the students from the next county who are getting and education on my dime. The school board members need to give back their raises as far back as it takes to make up the shortfall created by their stupidity. I will be present at the next BOC & BOED meetings although I will probably have to bum a ride because I had to send a check to the Granddaddy of all BloodSuckers the IRS. Think Obama can help us with this shortfall?

w

This BOE has been heading down this road for a long time. They've planned poorly (witness the abysmally planned school constructions; Fayette County's rate of growth peaked in 1980-1990 and has been slowing ever since, according to ARC figures published in August), they've overspent (check the current salaries of the administrative staff in Fayetteville), and they've spent foolishly (recall the money thrown away on the redistricting consultant they hired and then ignored). It's really unfortunate that Fayette County voters didn't act when they had the chance, i.e. at the polls. We are now stuck with this inept group who continue to support an overpaid superintendent, an overpaid assistant superintendent, and the rest of the bloated, overpaid staff. And now they have the gall to consider not only "re-billing" the property owners of this county but also to ask teachers to give back their raise? I just checked the BOE website to see when the next BOE meeting is, and guess what? They haven't even updated the meeting schedule for 2009. The website still shows the 2008 schedule. C'mon, you slow-moving donut eaters in Fayetteville, get your overpaid butts in gear and update your website! I can't believe how many superfluous people this school district employs in the county offices and, to an extent, in the schools themselves. I'm not referring to teachers but to administrators and other non-teaching personnel. The measures being suggested by Dr. DeCotis and Sam Sweat are NOT acceptable. No, no, no!!

EVERYTHING in Fayette County is already too expensive-I can hardly live here! Redo property taxes so the schools can get more money??? My children are grown. I don't even have children in the schools! Drastic changes need to be made, but more taxation is NOT where the changes need to occur!

A COLA increase would keep an employee even with inflation, this increase did not. Now add in the additional cost of Insurance and it is a fall behind. Now consider what a teacher makes and the hours that they put in (12 to 16 hours a day, really) and you would probably not want this job. I paid our tax bill Monday and picked up my property apraisal appeal for 2009 (it must be submitted by some time in April) and questioned why I was not mailed an appeal form as had been customairy in years past, a non-answer of 'some people were not mailed one' I wonder if anyone was mailed one. Finally, should the county decide to persue a rebilling then they should kindly expect the residents of Fayette county to request a new appraisal for the 2008 tax year thank you very much; I expect, like our personal income, a net loss over the previous year.

this isn't Kans... err, a, Fayette county anymore

Mused the other day about the likelihood of the county lowering assessments to match the present day values. They seem to raise my property value in a timely fashion when the value climbs.

I did consider seeking a readjustment. But won't the county raise the millage rate to compensate to meet the tax digest?

This is simply wrong. We all cut expenses during tough economic times and so should the county. Hate it...but fair is fair. Home values are down and comparables in my neighborhood reflect that. Think it is time for mass appeals to be filed.

More money to this group of losers?! My kid doesn't even have a 7th grade math book! Ask him if he needs help, he may say yes, but doesn't have a book for us to help him out.

Perhaps the teachers could call the office of the Teamsters and get some REAL representation. A little muscle from up north might help this situation...

HO HO Ho...Man are you screwed!!But aren't we all? You guys that get 'SUCCCCKKKKED INTO these holes'...don' you wonder why someone wouldnt't address things to EVERYONE?...in a formal statement...instead of ...of well, just me and you...we will talk personal? you guys are such fools!! That is how you control the masses...one group of fools at a time! You ARE NOT FOOLS...JUST PLAYED FOR ONE...HO HO HO...

1...2..10!!!!

First of all, all y'all need to take a 30% pay cut.

My home lost 4,000 dollars in a recent appraisal. My tax bill should be lowered not raised. We should impeach the school board and hold a new election. Then we need to cut the assistants to the assistant principals. Then we should cut the secretary to the secretary for the assistant to the assistant principal.

CUT THE FAT AT THE TOP ...YOU WORTHLESS PIECE OF GARBAGE IDIOTS!!!!!

Our homes aren't selling any better than clayton-crime-county anyway. Make the users ie: the parents of the kids actually using our schools pick up the extra cost. For the most part the kind of kids and parents we have here aren't worth any extra tax money on my part. Make the people using our schools pay for the service they are getting.

DeCotis do your job for a change and go after the out of county students and their parents and make them pay. We don't need an assistant superintendent either DO YOUR FREAKEN JOB ON YOUR OWN!!!!!

Instead of re-billing the citizens lets fine DeCotis and the FCBOE for incompetence.

Sound the alarm, every homeowner in fayette county had better be at the next commisioners meeting, to serve notice that if any of them even consider this move, they had better start looking for a job. The time is now people. The commisioners if they know whats good for them or if they cared about the citizens, should fire this clown DeCotis. I noticed he had a smile on his face last year during the groundbreaking ceremony, at the new school on Sandy Creek road. Guess yall should of posponed that project in light of the economy eh.. And how dare you ask our educators to give back the 2.5% raise they recieved last year, while yall continue full steam ahead. NYCE...

I fully expect to pay less home taxes for 2009!
As best that I can tell, my home is worth about 20% less than the current appraisal---that of course assumes that someone can get a loan to buy it.

What needs to be done now also is to stop the millage raises at the point they now stand.
If we don't they will simply make up the difference there. They try to fool us anyway saying taxes are reduced each year when they are not.

If you ain't got it you must not spend it. That is what I do.

This is of course a ruse--an excuse for what they really plan to do.
I'm not sure what that is, but you can bet that no additional bills are going to be mailed for last year--which were paid in November.

Even that kind of stupidity is uncalled for in these days.
Maybe they need to take all those weeks off during the school year at no salary. And start school in early September and close them in late May.

Close them--not have people hang around three months and get paid!

In my opinion, the county has already assessed my property for a higher amount than is realistic in this housing downturn. So the county is already getting more in property taxes than they should. I have 2 children in the school system, and of course I want them to continue to get a good education, but the FCBOE just seems to want more and more from the taxpayers without being willing to make any cuts to unnecessary expenditures. Maybe the superintendent should take a pay cut, and they should eliminate some of the central office and administrative staff that are not necessary to the students' education.

Nuff Said!