Fayette County Schools has a nifty new online means of viewing one's paystub, and I'm hoping that did not cost the taxpayers too much. In using that means and seeing the results of the paycut and furlough, I was disheartened and discouraged (having to re-budget for $400 less per month net). HOWEVER, I forced myself to think of the good in my work and my particular work site. One of those very good things is the parents; most of my students come from families that care about them and their education; they support their children's studies and their children's teachers. Most Fayette County parents, I believe, are deeply invested in the quality of education in which their children partake and expect them to take responsibility for their own learning. They also hold their children's teachers responsible, as they should. Parents are the absolute backbone of education.

What do you think so far? Love it? Hate it? Favorite features? Problems?

Parents: Keep your children home from school on Tuesday, Sept. 8th, or at least request that they be removed from the classroom while Obama's speech is being aired.

I needed to get a few records for my son to get his drivers license and called the Board of Ed on Friday around 2pm. The phone rang and rang for ever, no answer.

To the school bus that I accidently passed yesterday. The bus was on Hwy 92 North headed south, pulled over in a subdivsion right turn lane, letting kids off to the right.

Rumor has it that Lynn Wenzel (Assistant Superintendent of Education), is about to accept a position outside the county. Her salary is over 100k. In these hard times, will Dr. D have the courage/sense to NOT fill this spot.

Well, my friend who has been a dedicated, outstanding teacher for many years in Fayette County system, now retired and working 49% (on paper, but 100% in reality) got a letter today saying that there would be no contract or hope for a job in the Fayette County system next year. The timing is perfect... The letter arrived on the Saturday after schools closed for Spring Break.

Just wanting to thank the crossing guard near McIntosh High School, who was unfortunately injured on Friday. Four-way stop signs plus golfcarts headed to school are very dangerous, especially when the bell is about to ring.

I recently received a series of e-mails related to election issues and thought this part of the exchange might be of interest to bloggers. At this point, the names are not relevant, hence the xxx and xxxxx.

In today’s article by Ben Nelms FCBOE member Janet Smola is quoted as saying: “The reason the SPLOST came up after the primary was because on Aug. 4 the governor delivered another 2.5 percent in cuts to quality education,” Smola said, noting that the cuts came after the school system adopted its budget. Since then the system is bracing for another $3 million in additional cuts, she said. (Note that school district administrator Sam Sweat first floated this "explanation" at the "state education funding meeting" a few weeks ago that was really a pro-SPLOST forum.)

In an article entitled "Overview of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax for Educational Purposes" published by Smith, Gambrell & Russell, LLP Attorneys at Law at

My 8th grader came home yesterday and told us that the children of Whitewater Middle School were pulled into an assembly, separated by gender, and advised that they were no longer allowed to physically touch other students. This included "high-fives", shaking of hands, pats on back, and hugging. They were then informed that they could be charged with sexual harrasment and/or assault if they violated this direction. When my daughter made the statement "this is ridiculous" the student were advised (at least the females were) that the Administration was not open for discussion or comment on this subject. Now, apparently this is the result of a few incidents of innappropriate touching between boyfriend/girlfriends (which - in the 8th grade - I dont believe there should be boyfriends/girlfriends- but that is just me) and instead of simply dealing with the incidents as they arrise they have decided to ues fear tactics and inact yet another "no tollerance" type policy without clear forethought. I contacted the principal at the school this morning and she confirmed what we were told and when I asked if she supported the action, she said yes. When I asked if she had sought counsel or guidance from the District she said NO.

Dear Editor:

Quoted below are statements from the Clayton County SACs report:

“Board members have become regular fixtures at the administrative building, and have insinuated themselves into every aspect of the school district…Board members subjected the administrative staff to insults, accusations, and derogatory comments…Board members routinely acted beyond the scope of their legal authority by holding their own meetings with constituents, staff and administrators…Board members discussed with their constituents issues that should have been referred to administration or staff.”

I'm not running for BOE, but if I were, here is how I'd answer Cal's questions.

1. The school board is faced with the likelihood of having to increase the millage rate from 18.569 to 19.35, a rate just .65 mills under the maximum allowed. If negative conditions such as Fayette’s economic downturn have not improved significantly by mid-2009, the board might be faced with deciding to either cut programs or expenses, increase the millage again or all the above. How will you handle those decisions? Are you prepared to cut people and programs if necessary? Be specific. (And please explain — if you don’t have any definite position on this, why should anybody vote for you?)

[Tuesday night, July 1, 2008]

I have received numerous calls and emails from my supporters who want me to respond to your questions, so I have done so. I won’t get into details as to what transpired with my non-response before, only to say that I am a political novice and should have trusted my first instinct.

[No Photo provided.]

We received your questions for the school board candidates, but we are concerned about their tone and the context in which our answers will be used.

[No photo provided.]

We received your questions for the school board candidates, but we are concerned about their tone and the context in which our answers will be used.

[No photo provided.]

We received your questions for the school board candidates, but we are concerned about their tone and the context in which our answers will be used.

[No photo provided.]

We received your questions for the school board candidates, but we are concerned about their tone and the context in which our answers will be used.

Responses for Dr. Mary Kay Bacallao, candidate for Board of Education Post 2

Question: 1. The school board is faced with the likelihood of having to increase the millage rate from 18.569 to 19.35, a rate just .65 mills under the maximum allowed. If negative conditions such as Fayette’s economic downturn have not improved significantly by mid-2009, the board might be faced with deciding to either cut programs or expenses, increase the millage again or all the above. How will you handle those decisions? Are you prepared to cut people and programs if necessary? Be specific. (And please explain — if you don’t have any definite position on this, why should anybody vote for you?)

Yesterday, someone on these blogs (his/her name escapes me) lamented the lack of transparency in the Fayette County School Board.