I am encouraged by the motivation of the parents of the Fayette County students. When I moved to Georgia and Fayette County in 1998, I’ve seen some major changes (not good ones) in our school system as far as illegal students in our schools.

What amazes me lately in all of the articles written concerning this issue is the term “out of county residents” or “out of county tags”. Since no one else will be more specific, I will.

In Mr. Thompson’s article from 02/08/06 he quoted Mr. C.W. Campbell saying, “he takes pride in making sure only Fayette County students attend the schools.” Be careful what you say Mr. Campbell, if the present situation is what you take pride in, your job may be in jeopardy.

Mr. Campbell stated that over 145 students have been dismissed since August 2005; 120 more were able to provide proof of residency and 106 are still under investigation. That’s a grand total of 371.

Do we NOT see a huge problem? Those 106 will no doubt complete this school year and well into the next one and may be a third one before anything is done.

This is out of hand and here is where my being specific comes in: I want Mr. Campbell to give us the accurate percentages that Clayton County illegal students were and have been the majority of those 145 already dismissed and the majority of those 106 still under investigation.

Let’s quit using the phrase “out of county” and give the facts: “Clayton County.” Don’t just watch the tags at the schools, report the ones at the many bus stops like the one to The Oaks Subdivision on Ga. Highway 54 every morning and afternoon so that their Clayton County kids can ride our buses.

Or those at the entrance to Millers Oak subdivision and just about every other subdivision up and down the Fayette County part of Corinth Road. Or how about the Greenlea Subdivision on Ga. Highway 92 in Fayetteville?

I find it hard to believe that on a daily basis, twice a day, Clayton County parents have no problem teaching their children it’s okay to disrespect and disobey the laws of the land. No wonder their political and education systems both are in a mess.

Then in one article the phrase, “not wanting to transfer their tags” was used. It’s a law that when you move into another state, or even another county, you must transfer your tag. You can’t delay that for a full year. The transfer fee is what, $20? That’s it.

Wow, what a sorry excuse used by those in charge of this problem at our board of education. Let’s get a grip. Get something done. Quit beating around the bush. Quit walking on eggshells afraid we might offend someone and get something done and then show some proof that’s been done, not just, “We take pride.”

Show me some evidence, now. Get the 106 still undone, done before it’s too late. Is that too much to ask from a parent of a Fayette County student and a Fayette County taxpayer and voter?

Parker David
Fayetteville, Ga.