Vote Tomorrow! - Repost From DeKalb School Watch II

Below is a comment which appears below a very ugly and misleading post at DeKalb School Watch II (DSW2).

If you are not familiar with DSW2, it is a blog which is very critical of the school district. The editors raise good questions and provide more information that the district does. However, they are not always objective. I read DSW2 because I find the comments from teachers are so informative.

This comment is not from a teacher.

I hope that every voter in Dekalb County will choose to vote on Tuesday. I can’t recall any election in Dekalb County being more important than this one. Based on the recently concluded Legislative session, the Georgia Constitutional Amendment to create more school districts has a long uncertain path ahead. While this issue is of great interest to many in Dekalb, it appears to be of little or no interest to other counties in the State. Since charter schools must receive the approval of the school board, that avenue is also uncertain.

For the first time in a long time, Dekalb County voters have a very realistic chance at electing a school board that can bring positive change to Dekalb County and make classrooms the top priority. We have a great chance to elect three very classroom-focused new board members and need only one more to bring about change. I know that some have expressed concerns about Thad Mayfield, but I see him as being that potentially fourth board member to make a big difference. I have been impressed by his preparation and the depth of his questions. I don’t agree with him on his assessment of Mr. Thurmond, but he does seem to ask searching questions and make reasonable decisions.

After what all of us have gone through during the past four years, we need to seize this opportunity and be heard at the polls. Nothing can be more important than what happens in the classroom with our students. And this election can bring such great opportunities for Dekalb County as a whole.

Finally, I am very, very disappointed and frustrated, even angry, about the way our teachers have been treated by the past and current school boards and by the past and present superintendents. There were some very good teachers who shaped my life, motivated me to learn, and gave me such wise counsel and, no doubt, there are many teachers in Dekalb County who are also having a similar impact our today’s students. Few people impact our kids more than our teachers and we need to listen to them, encourage them, provide them with competitive compensation packages, and allow them to control their classrooms without outside interference. It is just shameful that they have been treated in such a shabby, disrespectful, and unprofessional manner. (Again, I say that I am not a school teacher nor is anyone is my family a school teacher nor is anyone in my family employed by any school district anywhere).

Let’s all go to the polls on Tuesday and vote. It’s now or never!

This blog represents only my opinion and does not speak for any other group or person.