Years ago, on the rare occasion when someone, anyone, spoke of consolidating the Valdosta and Lowndes County school systems, the discussion was conducted in a whisper, with usually the veiled implication that such talk was to go no further.
Whether it was concerns about football traditions, race, or differing academic programs, a discussion on consolidating the school systems was not entered lightly.
Most local politicians, who wanted to attain or retain elected office, avoided any mention of school consolidation on or off the record.
Bring up the subject of consolidation amidst the wrong group of people at the wrong place, at the wrong time, which was almost anywhere in the city or county not too many years ago, and the offender could expect to at least be shushed, shouted down, potentially threatened, and possibly punched.
While there are still two school systems for Valdosta and Lowndes County, things have changed.
From 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, the Valdosta-Lowndes County Chamber of Commerce hosts a public meeting at the James H. Rainwater Conference Center on the subject of school consolidation.
The public meeting follows the recent release of the chamber’s report on the economic impact of consolidating the school systems. Through a survey of hundreds of local chamber members and business people, 81 percent chose a consolidated school system.
For the past, few years, The Valdosta Daily Times editorial board has listed school consolidation as one of our editorial objectives. It is the only objective that has made it on each list, year after year. While, ultimately, we would like to see the city and county schools consolidated, we have repeatedly placed it on our lists of objectives hoping it would, at least, remain a point of public discussion.
The public meeting will allow area residents to speak their minds on school consolidation. There will likely be those who are for consolidation and those who are against it. But one thing is for certain, school consolidation will be what everyone’s talking about.
What We Think
OUR OPINION: Consolidation: Something to talk about
- What We Think
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THUMBS UP: To Valdosta State University Athletics for its 2012 Chili Fest scheduled for this afternoon, 3-5:30 p.m. at the PE Complex. Should be some good eating even if we’re not experiencing the traditional January winter weather. Plus, it’s an old-style no-bean chili event. Tasty, indeed.
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Theatre: A busy week ahead
Theatre: A busy week ahead
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Help for the greater need
This weekend, people will gather to help two Valdosta-area young people and their families. Ride for Haley is scheduled to raise money for Haley Waites, a Valdosta High senior battling a brain tumor.
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Social media changing the rules
Some businesses and agencies haven’t come to the realization that it’s a different world.
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Weather alerts: Flirting with disaster
In the late 1990s, a devastating storm ravaged South Georgia. Residents received few warnings of the storm’s trajectory.
In its aftermath, a more comprehensive system was created to alert South Georgia residents of thunderstorms, high winds, tornadoes and other potential weather emergencies.
The system has worked well. Perhaps, it has worked too well. -
Thanking the Law
Valdosta Rotary Club will honor the area's law-enforcement next month. Officers of the Year will be recognized for their service but the Law Enforcement Appreciation Dinner is a way for the community to show its support for our law officers.
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Be on the lookout for crime
You are much less likely to be the victim of a crime if you are vigilant about your surroundings and cautious with your activities. And crime can happen anytime, any where.
A popular radio personality was gunned down and died early Saturday morning outside his place of business. An elderly woman opened her door to strangers at 4 a.m. and was robbed. A man was robbed at gunpoint by someone he knew in broad daylight. -
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THUMBS UP: To the Valdosta-Lowndes County Parks and Recreation Authority for attracting more tournaments to the region. This week, the Authority announced that the Amateur Softball Association will bring eight to nine tournaments to Valdosta and Lowndes County this year. The Georgia-Florida Rider Cup Tournament will feature 40-60 teams. These combined tournaments are expected to have a $1.2 million to $1.5 million economic impact on South Georgia.
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Scholarships grow by leaps and bounds
Brandi Roberts has created a program that gives back to the community and enables Valdosta State University Theatre & Dance students to continue their studies.
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Abandoning ship
Few romantic notions are left in this world, where individuals gladly sacrifice themselves in the line of duty so that others may live.
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