VALDOSTA —
The Community Unification for Educational Excellence (CUEE) team turned in 10,090 signatures to the city clerk Monday.
The petition is an effort to place the school unification referendum on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.
“Two months ago, many people doubted CUEE would accomplish this goal, but the response from the community has been phenomenal and clearly shows people want an opportunity to vote on the school unification issue,” said Rusty Griffin, vice chairman of CUEE.
The city has 50 days to determine the validity of the petition signatures. If CUEE collected 7,375 valid signatures, the minimum number needed by state law to place the issue on the ballot, the city must issue a call to place school unification on the ballot for a vote.
CUEE board member Walter Hobgood said he is confident that the community will get out and vote on the issue.
“We will try to get as many people to vote as we can. Hopefully, it will increase the voter turnout,” said Hobgood.
When asked about concern or support from the county system, Hobgood said that, in regards to the Education Task Force, there is support from both the county and city.
“Both representatives
from the county and city are on the Education Task Force. The Education Task Force is looking for ways to address the issues and find the solutions,” said Hobgood.
Hobgood said that the effort of the Education Committee is not about consolidation; it is about doing what is right for children in the community and education reform.
“CUEE has been and will remain focused on education reform. School board members from both boards have been invited to join the Education Task Force,” said Hobgood.
Hobgood said that CUEE is not asking people to endorse consolidation but to address all the issues and the role of the community, parents and school reform.
Board member George Bennett expressed his excitement regarding the signatures on the petition and CUEE’s effort.
“I personally want to thank everyone who helped CUEE collect signatures. The school unification issue has been a topic of discussion for decades and I’m proud that our community will get to decide this important issue at the ballot box,” said Bennett.
Hobgood said that CUEE will continue to focus on education reform and identify ways to better support the public education of all children in Valdosta and Lowndes County.
The next Education Planning Committee meeting is scheduled at 5:30 p.m., Thursday, July 14, at W.G. Nunn Elementary School. The public is encouraged to attend.
In response to the signatures being turned in to the city, retired Valdosta City School System Superintendent and Chairman of Friends of Valdosta City Schools Sam Allen said that the committee is standing by its initial belief of unifying the two school systems.
“We would like to see a plan. We believe another method could have been better where the county and city could vote on this issue. We believe the students of Valdosta will not be served properly with a plan that is not in place,” said Allen.
Local News
Related Photos
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Community Unification for Educational Excellence (CUEE) board member Jack Edwards delivers one of two boxes full of petitions with 10,000-plus signatures to Valdosta City Hall Monday. If the petitions meet guidelines and there are enough verified signatures, a referendum for school unification will be on the Nov. 8 general election. Paul Leavy
Discussion
Signatures for school unification referendum turned in
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