Hello,
I am a concerned parent and resident of Barrow County, I have resided for the past three years in Bethlehem. My children are 7 and 11 years of age. My youngest is a current student at , my oldest will go to this year. For the most part I have had no complaints about the education they have provided thus far. However, this year has absolutely blown my mind with all the changes.
I was appalled at the decision to , regardless of what other counties are doing, this is a decision that is not in the best interest of our children.
I spoke at that time, around May, with Dr. Wanda Creel. She had no news to provide me that was acceptable. I understand the decision was based on our lack of funds and the current debt … but this “solution” that will reduce the debt by approximately $450,000 per year will effectively put our debt at zero in 22 years.
I can do nothing, again about this decision. I am a working parent, with a full time job. I have no family in this state to help. I have had to employ some assistance with my neighbor to help with the new school hours that have also been put into effect. Now my elementary school child will not get out of school until 3:30 p.m., which means she starts later as well. I have to be at work in Athens at 8 a.m., a full 30 minutes before school even starts. So in order to get her to school, I can no longer take her, as I have in the past, but leave her with my neighbor to ride the bus.
Today I learned that my other child, who will go to 6th grade this year, is not eligible to ride the bus because we live too close to the school. I have spoken, today, with Executive Director Dr. Chris McMichael. He informed me that this information is accurate. I have, once again, been put in a position to decide how my child will get home from school, as there is no after school at this level, and she cannot ride the bus and I will be at work.
The road, Haymon Morris Road, on which my 11 year old child would have to walk home has no side walk and is very busy with traffic. There are no plans to put in a side walk, and no other options presented for this issue. I have a mortgage that I pay every month, and taxes to Barrow County, and my children deserve a better solution. I do not know where else to turn for help.
The only other solution I know of is to have a parent at home that doesn’t work a job outside the house. This probably isn’t a feasible solution for myself or most of the other parents. I have tried to talk with those at the school board, to no avail. I was told I could read about these decisions in the paper or online, that nothing is done in secret. I am on the e-mail list for the school board and have received nothing about any of this.
Further, I am outraged that it was suggested by Dr. McMichael that my child go ahead and walk down a road where there is no sidewalk, this a dangerous and unacceptable idea for a child, any child. What can we parents do??? Thank you for listening, I hope there are enough parents who will state how these changes are affecting them, and we can make a change. And something else, not to be overlooked, these are ELECTED OFFICIALS, and this job can be done by someone else who might care about these issues.
Nicole McIntyre
Bethlehem, Ga.
The opinions expressed above are those of the writer, not Barow Patch. Barrow Patch will accept letters to the editor discussing current local issues. Letters should be addressed to the editor and not to third parties. All letters must have the name of the author and contact information, such as a phone number or e-mail address. Contact information will not be published and will be used for verification purposes only. Letters should express the thoughts of the writer. Copied content will not be published. All letters are subject to editing for length, clarity and factual accuracy. Barrow Patch reserves the right to reject letters that do not comply with our site’s acceptable use policy. Letters may be submitted via email to barrow@patch.com.
http://www.barrow.k12.ga.us/business/FY_2013_General_Fund_Budget_Information.pdf
So you're not sympathetic. Fine. I am. I will be there.
1. When my son was going to school last year for the 1st time, (he went to private kindergarten and last year was his first year) and I saw the schedule, I was very worried. I was working at the time, but I was fortunate to have my mom & dad be able to watch him. I left at 7:00 am and did not get home until 7:00 pm, including Saturdays. After being used to Gwinnett County's schedule - "normal" hours - It was something I thought was going to be hard to adjust. HOWEVER, when we determined we are moving to Barrow County, the first thing I did was look at the hours and schedule and I was EXCITED to see the same times. 8:30 - 3:30. BCES does offer a before & after school care for working parents. I am also allowed to drop him off as early as 8:00 as a "normal" parent drop off. I do sub at a preschool and that works perfect for those days. It is an adjustment, but, I am sure, something will work out for y'all. It may seem like a big adjustment now, but it really is not. I know 30 minutes to a boss is a lot. Hopefully, bosses will understand OR you can find a neighbor that does not work that you feel comfortable leaving your child with. Even non-working moms, have to adjust to this time as well.
When we were driving down Haymon-Morris to look at houses - I WOULD NOT walk down that road myself, let alone let my 7 year old walk down that road. Eventhough, I take & pick up my son, I feel for all the parents who are having to face that fact that your child may have to walk. I live a mile with no side walks and grassy area as well. I do not allow my son to walk now, and I will not allow him to walk when we move to the Appalachee area.
On another note, I would like to say to Barrow Co. voters, "You blew it!" You had a chance to get incumbent Mitch Churchill off the board. There was a chance for authentic change and the voters just blew it! Another four years of status-quo, stale incumbents voting for these *very* decisions we are discussing. Parents, stand your ground. Don't back down. As emotionally charged as this is, try to remain calm and have your concerns/suggestions organized and to the point. I know it's hard, but don't let your anger/frustration get in the way of the valid reason you are there. Good luck and God bless.
I know several over at Bethlehem said they got very informed of the changes at the end of the school year. I didn't know any of these changes until I saw this Patch article. Were we the only family in the Yargo district that didn't hear anything from the school?
ipetition.com asks for donations after your signature has been recorded. Since it is a free website in order for them to stay as a free website they ask for donations. I am a concerned and affected parent by the PRZone. My friends and me decided to try and make a change. We have gone door to door with our petition. On Friday we got 40 signatures in one subdivion! I do not know how many signatures we need but we will present his at the Board meeting on Tuesday. Along with pictures we have taken of the dangerous roads. And any other information we can get our hands on...
And this is a major change the Board should have notified the parents! Why couldnt they sent out a recorded msg?
Perhaps this site (or something like it) could provide a solution: http://www.carpoolworld.com/carpoolworld-communities.html Each school could set up a link on their respective websites for "no-bus" area parents to coordinate with other parents & volunteers- with obvious hold harmless liability disclaimers for the school. A bing search for carpool brought up several private schools that offer that service on their school website. Perhaps an e-mail to each school principal could get this going. These policy changes will not be changed overnight and school begins next week. I'm not saying it is the best solution, but it is the best one at the moment while the discussion over the budget & new policies continues. Carpools are organized faster than sidewalks could be built. People in the "no-bus" radius might also consider working with the local police to set up neighborhood watch and remain vigilant.