I remember when the news first came out about teacher/other staff furloughs for this school year. The PR person told the AJC it would take place only with 100% assent from the employees. Well, I did not agree to it, and I had to take it anyway(they locked the school doors, yessirree). I read a recent report from one of the professional teachers' associations that stated that our state legislators had the option of taking their furloughs in the form of FILLING OUT A FORM FOR TAKING IT, thus having their money withdrawn from their "pay". Wow, now THAT is motivation. If I had had to fill out a form, I might have conveniently forgotten to take mine, too. OF the people? I'm thinking NOT.

County and city police officers will soon be told they must take three furlough days without pay by June 30. Despite recent pay cuts and increases in health insurance premiums, these furlough days are necessary.

Officials will determine the three days with the lowest expected criminal activity and declare those to be the mandatory furlough days. All police officers and deputies will be furloughed on these three days. Because of the anticipated low crime, taxpayers may not even notice the absence of police protection on these three days.

In an unusual move, deputies and officers will still be required to work on these days. Due to scheduled court dates and mandated crime report deadlines, these public servants will be required go to court and accurately complete reports at home without pay.

Other cost saving measures for the remainder of the fiscal year involve cost shifting. Officers will no longer be supplied with many of tools necessary to perform their jobs. Handcuffs, pens, printer ink and other items will soon be purchased by the officers at their own expense.

When asked about the possibility of these public servants quitting their jobs, a local politician stated, off the record, that it was doubtful anyone would leave because Fayette County was a safe, less-dangerous community and that the officers are not really qualified to do any other job.

If this scenario seems surreal, ask a Fayette County teacher because this is exactly what is about to happen to the men and women who educate our children. Despite pay cuts, premium increases, and having to purchase essential school supplies with their own money, the cowardly BOE will furlough teachers on their post-planning days (secretly hoping the voters won't notice) yet still insist that teachers complete all end of year grading, administer late exams, attend meetings, and prepare report cards for mailing.

Meanwhile, the county office executives (who haven't seen a student in months) continue to enjoy the luxuries of their six figure salaries, and harem of administrative assistants (many of whom are paid more than teachers).

Are our police really getting furloughed? Of course not...the public would never tolerate the injustice to these hardworking, underpaid public servants. Are our teachers really getting furloughed? Certainly, because no one will notice.

Now why in the world would the palace of the FCBOE not fill a position when all they have to do to fill any shortfall is simply take money from the classroom teacher and building administrators where your kids go to school?

My goodness, the 'Human Rescources Director' and her cronies didn't even get the 4.5% across the board' pay cut.

Not fill a position at the county office....lol.

You silly man.

Well, well, seems that Wenzel is going to retire as she did not get the job(s) she wanted in order to get out of Fayette.
Gies and a few others do work hard and make a difference, but not all.
If you saw Sam Sweat he was there to shake hands, smile and try to prep. us to wanting him as our next super. If you saw Fred Oliver in your building it was because there was free food or a party- I really wish that you could tell me that you actually saw him working...

I can tell it will not do much good to correspond with you, as you presume to know everything already Goldie. I am simply answering as you were "waiting" for a reply. I am really a teacher, maybe even one of your children's. We in the trenches just get tired of the constant negativity by those that do not know what goes on in ALL of the schools every day. Some of us grow frustrated of the politics and backstabbing that occurs in the community (or by bloggers) when perhaps you do not know who actually puts in the work to make our jobs easier so that we can focus on the things that are important, like teaching your kids.

I am sure you could find someone to hit the send button on a fax machine to order what I need for my classroom, but I doubt a good secretary (or parent volunteer) would understand how to analyze data to drive instruction, or study and compare curriculum trends in order to make the best choices for student outcomes for your child prior to selecting the materials that align with the Georgia Performance Standards to boost student achievement, etc. So maybe, just maybe there is a little more to it than "ordering supplies." If that is all it was, I am pretty sure I could handle it myself.

I have actually seen Lyn Wenzel in my building several times this year; she was there to see my principal and to observe throughout the building. She is her/his supervisor. I have also seen Dr. DeCotis, Sam Sweat, and Fred Oliver numerous times. As for the coordinators, I will tell you that mine is awesome. I have seen Debbie Wheat, Sharon Boyer, Cathy Geis, and Ann Richardson (prior to her accident) on many occasions visiting the building, meeting with the CCPs, holding curriculum meetings with all teachers (which they do at all schools), and delivering materials this school year. I also see many staff members from the Exceptional Children's Office at our school several times a week.

So please, remember those of us out here that are working diligently to provide the best classroom experience for your children. We do not do it in isolation. There are many people that make it happen, and obviously do more than you realize. It is very hurtful to others, many more in the trickle down, when you insinuate that certain segments do nothing of value.

As I mentioned I have taught in other counties, and they had very few members in their central office--one Curriculum Coordinator (for ALL subjects--as if one person could be an expert on each), there was no one for Staff Development, etc.....and the achievement scores reflected such. They were/are one of the bottom counties in the state. They have way too much work to do, and not enough people to do it. You cannot expect to have great teachers and then leave them to languish without the proper support that is required to get the job done. When I came here to work over 11 years ago, I thought that I had died and gone to heaven because I was overwhelmed by the amount of support and resources available. I was also overwhelmed by the enthusiasm that the directors, coordinators, and administrators demonstrated during new teacher orientation. They enabled me to embrace that I was in a place of superior standards, and that all teachers would have high expectations for their students. Superior schools start with leaders that can inspire their teachers to greatness for your children. We do not work in isolation.

Oh, you may also want to double check your "fact" about the source of Flemmings' paycheck.
The state may kick in part of that, a small part, but not all...
And, on assistant principal jobs not being filled- that's more smoke and mirrors - the one at Star's Mill will be "filled" by the p-t head football coach who is being released because he a 49% - they are waiting for their timing to be perfect hoping to avoid legal action.
They have been scrambling around for months trying to protect his job, but because he is #101 in the pool or "recall" victims he finds his head on the chopping block along with many others.
Sounds like you may need the same dose of reality that I have had to swallow!!

Seems like Lynn Lynn didn't get the job anyhow.
And STEELMAGNOLIA if they told you that fairies are real, would you believe them? Better yet, if you tell us that fairies are real, do you think that we believe you?? I have tried believing all of their propaganda, and have now come to face reality.
A good secretary could (and probably already does) all that book and supply "ordering".
We could probably get a few volunteer parents to place the orders. As for the "support"- really now - have you seen Lynn Wenzel in your school (if you are really a teacher) - how about ... well I could make a long list, but I really don't have time. Please name the coordinators who do all of this "work" so that I can check up on that.
I'll be waiting for your reply.

You people kill me. So many people write in without having all of the facts straight. First of all, Ms. Fleming's job is funded through a state grant--to not fill it would have been stupid, as in throwing FREE money away from the state. There is a GA law that says that every school HAS to have a principal so they had to replace the position she vacated when she took the one at the county office, but they did not replace the assisant prinicipal's vacancy that opened in doing so.
As for positions at the county office, I would hope that if you benefit from the education that Fayette County provides for the children in your community, then you would be thankful for all that goes into ensuring that the excellence and quality that you so enjoy remains such. Given that, perhaps you are not aware of all that the coordinators do to provide teachers with the materials that are needed to continue teaching the demanding curriculum expected within the county. They may go about making certain that all of the county Kindergarten students have their Dr. Cupp readers, or that the high school science labs across the county have consumables reordered for labs each semester, or that the gifted testing you are dying for your child to have actually happens. They do more than most realize each day for their teachers. We are the best system in the state. I am a teacher here, and I am thankful that my curriculum coordinator ensures that I have the materials, resources, professional development, etc. that I need, so then I can concentrate on being the best educator possible that I can for any of your kids that may be in my classes. I have taught in other counties, and I know what it is like to come from somewhere that is either less fortunate, or that does not ensure that curriculum and achievement are the priority. Please remember how much you value the education that your children have received in the past before jumping on the blame game bandwagon of late, and calling for the elimination of jobs. They have served some of you well. I know many college-bound students headed to Ivy league schools this fall. We must be doing something right in the field of education around here.

I'm sure someone on the board has a relative that could fit in that position. Sure wish I had a relative on the board.

Lynn Wenzel's salary is approximately $130,000. Her last listed salary in state records is about $126,000 . . . this does not include a 2.5% pay raise for this school year. Those who know her are well aware she is mediocre (on her good days). Replacing her would send the wrong message. Earlier this year, Tracy Fleming was selected to fill another position that was open. That position should not have been filled either. Though I understand the staff at McIntosh was DELIGHTED to have Ms. Fleming leave . . . the central office has a habit of cutting the budget everywhere EXCEPT the central office. We'll see what happens with the Wenzel position.

This is agreat opportunity for someone on the board to show leadership and at a minimum recommend to freeze this position and/or reorganize some of the directing and coordinating. Is there such a person on the current board? I don't think it is the fact that it is a $100k position but the organizational structure that is the problem. Asst. Sup. is a position that should be paid in that range. But do we need the number of people at that level of management. With the number of middle managers (directors, coordinators) in place the current Asst. Sup or Deputy Sup. should pick up some of the slack. Delegation, monitoring and accountability are the keys.

someone on the board would shove their child forward to take the job if they only had more than a year. Maybe next year.

Dr. D is certainly capable of trying to do the right thing, but the cumbersome organization he is burdened with cannot and will not leave such a plum position open. Plus having someone in charge of education is a real good idea for a school system. It is what they do. It is their most important task - right after growing the teacher's union and creating cushy retirement packages.

Expecting them to do the right thing is what got us into this mess.