VALDOSTA — Why I am against school consolidation

Now that the issue of school system unification/consolidation in Lowndes County is to be placed on the ballot this November, it is time to get down to the nitty gritty of the issues involved. 

First, let me say that until recently, I did not know the real significance of unification. I did not understand that the Valdosta City School System was lawfully established in Georgia in 1893 and was one of only 21 city school systems existing in Georgia’s 159 counties

I have now learned that the only way school unification can be achieved is by the citizens voting to dissolve the Valdosta school charter.

Once it is dissolved, the charter cannot be renewed. The studies that have been conducted to determine if school unification would benefit the education of our children have been inconclusive and show no real benefit to consolidation.  Then who is pushing for unification and why? The most vocal proponent of school unification is Community Unification for Education Excellence, Inc. (CUEE).

CUEE has two main goals. The first goal is to unify the two school systems into one and the second is to implement education reform based upon the reform model adopted by Chattanooga/Hamilton County, Tenn. The problem is the Hamilton County model does not seek to improve education.

It merely redefines educational success to avoid the national standards of progress and testing. In other words, if we redefine success, we can increase graduation rates regardless of whether or not we meet federal requirements.

CUEE has staked its entire claim to reform on this Hamilton County model.  However, the State of Tennessee released data on July 29, 2011, showing that less than half of the Hamilton County schools earned “good standing” and for the first time the entire Hamilton district was identified as “high priority” subject to sanctions if math and reading scores do not improve. Because Hamilton County’s model falls below national standards, Tennessee is seeking a waiver to use its own revamped education standards to measure schools instead of federal standards while downplaying the importance of standardized testing. 

Despite having no data to support the need to unify the school systems, CUEE has pushed forward without the blessing of either school board. By asking Valdosta citizens to vote to dissolve their charter, CUEE does so without any plan, purpose or need proven.

They merely want Valdosta to dissolve its school system for the empty promise of a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

If Valdosta votes to dissolve its schools without any plan, purpose or need proven, we will be sacrificing an entire generation of students all in the name of educational experimentation.

In short, the burden to give up the charter for unification rests upon the proponents of school consolidation. I do not believe this burden has been carried, and I am not ready to throw my child with special needs onto the altar of unification.



David Mullis is a Valdosta resident.

Keep an eye on your health

Now that the holidays are just around the corner, you say to yourself, “well this year surely has gone by so fast.” Now having said that, have you ever thought about how time goes by so fast in your life? It’s true, you know.

We all are getting older and soon most of us baby boomers will start our 60s pretty soon. It’s not too late to start good health habits now that we are older.

I, for one, would like to have good health in my older years. Though we are not spring chickens anymore, we can still spread the mustard around some bit. I’m not saying go and buy vitamins etc. ... but start a good diet plan, exercise, read up on diets, that way in later years of life, you might not have so many health issues to put up with.

Having said that COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease) is now the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. With the advancement of scientific knowledge, it is no longer simply considered an “old people’s disease.” COPD is chronic and progressive, now affecting even people in their 30s.

Are you surprised with that bit of information? With the many pollution exposures at younger ages, the “at risk” group has expanded, most noticeably among those with parents who smoke.

People particularly at risk are long-term smokers; people exposed to a wide variety of air pollution, second-hand smoke, and people with a family history of COPD.

It has been discovered there is a genetic cause for some COPD.

If you are one of those potentially at risk for COPD, please ask your family doctor to test you for it — it’s quick, easy, and painless.

Those who think “it won’t happen to me” and wait for symptoms to show may have already lost more than half their lung capacity. If you are a smoker, quit!



Lynn Cooper

White Springs, Fla.

Fan misses the Valdosta Wildcats

I start my 43rd broadcast year this week. Almost half a century in the business of radio football and still love it. The early days were the best. Albany vs. Valdosta; Albany vs. Moultrie; Albany vs. Lanier.

 Now the games never include Valdosta, Moultrie or other old foes. Folks hardly remember them anymore. What I would give for a visit to Cleveland Field and to see Coach Bazemore again. Long gone, but not forgotten. This year the schedule again has me all over South Georgia, but no trips to Valdosta. God, how I miss those days.

I may live 80 miles up the road, but my football heart is in Valdosta. Good luck, ’Cats.



Sonny Lofton

Albany

A response from Dr. E. Steven Smith

Dear Valdosta Daily Times Editorial Board:

The purpose of my letter is to respond to the editorial published August 31, 2011, in the Valdosta Daily Times regarding the Lowndes County School Board’s stand on school consolidation. Hopefully, the editorial did not accurately reflect the opinions of the entire Editorial Board; therefore, my comments are directed toward those members responsible for such unprofessional journalism.

The insinuation that Lowndes County citizens, and furthermore, the Lowndes County School Board are motivated by racism in regard to their stance on school consolidation is completely unfounded and disturbing. You virtually state that anyone who opposes school consolidation does so because of racist views. Why attack someone who chooses to disagree with you? You will likely discover some citizens in any community who exhibit racist views as depicted in your editorial; however, to indicate the Lowndes County School Board was influenced by such views or exhibit these character traits is not only unsubstantiated, it is underhanded, unethical, divisive, and absolutely irresponsible for a group of journalists who may consider themselves professional.

I have spent the majority of my 37-year education career serving schools and school systems that were predominately minority. The chairman of the Lowndes County School Board, Mr. Fred Davis, is a minority who has spent 35 years as an educator in both the Lowndes County School System and the Valdosta City School System. Our other board members work in professions involving a very diverse population and have gained a high level of success. I doubt any of us would be where we are today if we made our decisions based upon race or social status. I have never worked with such a committed and compassionate group of men dedicated to the improvement of educational experiences for all students. Their decisions are based on what is best for students first, regardless of the color of their skin or station in life.

I deliberately chose not to attend any of the CUEE meetings for several reasons. First, the perception of my attendance could be misleading, and I suspect CUEE would use my attendance to suggest that I was a proponent of consolidation. From my attendance some could further misconstrue that the Lowndes County Board of Education was in support of consolidation or pursuing somewhat of a hostile takeover of the city school system. We respect the autonomy of the Valdosta City School System and support their efforts to protect their independence.

Second, CUEE has failed to provide a well-considered plan. It is not that CUEE has failed to plan: they have failed to adequately plan, mainly due to their lack of expertise in the financial and legal areas of education. Their plan should provide an adequate transition period including a timeline for critical actions to occur that would lead to a successful implementation for consolidation, should it be approved by the voters.

Third, CUEE has been reluctant to accept the state’s Common Core Georgia Performance Standards as adopted by the Georgia Board of Education and required by law for all public schools in Georgia. In addition, CUEE does not recognize the Vision for Public Education in Georgia as adopted by the Georgia School Boards’ Association and the Georgia School Superintendents’ Association. Both the Lowndes County School Board and the Valdosta City School Board have approved resolutions adopting the Vision. The overwhelming majority of the school systems in the state have done likewise. CUEE appears to be fixated on the creation of a contrary vision, mission, and curriculum.

Fourth, and most important, CUEE has refused to endorse a community-wide referendum including city and county voters, when in reality the entire community will be affected by a decision for consolidation. In order for change to successfully occur, you need to seek and receive the endorsement of a majority of your constituents impacted by the change. Their failure to seek consensus from all affected will either lead to the failure of the referendum or to the creation of huge challenges for a successful consolidation.

My stand against consolidation is also based on the lack of research evidence to substantiate improvement in the quality of academics or to support a potential increase in operational efficiency and effectiveness of a consolidated school system. A consolidated school system will cost more to operate, which will lead to an increase in taxes for everyone, city and county.

Failure to solicit city and county support will result in taxation without representation.

In closing, at some point in time, the Valdosta City School System may pursue consolidation with the Lowndes County School System, but now is not the time. That time will be determined by all registered voters in the city and county having the opportunity to make a decision regarding consolidation rather than disenfranchising over half of the population affected by any consolidation vote.

You must have the support of a majority of the community in order to stand a chance of a successful consolidation.

Consider this question: If the city and county governments were to consolidate, should that decision be made by the city or should the county also have a vote in the decision?



Dr. E. Steven Smith

Superintendent

Lowndes County Schools