I attended the rally for educators at the state capitol Saturday, January 23, 2010. Thousands of educators and other school personnel attended to voice their opinion with the slogan “Invest Now or Pay Later”. I respected the slogan for many individuals that dropout of high school lavish in poverty which in too many cases escalate into criminal activities that leads to incarceration. Given a state regulation to balance the budget, notwithstanding a recession, education will be reduced by 3%. This will result in 3 additional furlough days with a possibility of 6 additional days next school term, 2010-11 for educators in Fulton County School System.
In addition, class size for middle and high school classroom will increase by one to 30 students and if a waiver is approved the class size can reach 32 students. Moreover, Fulton and DeKalb Counties School Systems are forecasting a 37 and 56 million dollars shortfall commencing July 1, 2010, which is the beginning of the new fiscal year. Polk, Peach and Carroll Counties School Systems are concerning a four day educational week to save money. With a shortfall at the state and local levels, additional furloughs (which is a cut in pay) and a cut in operation could lead to a tremendous downgrade in Student Achievement. Every public school must make Adequate Yearly Progress and with the cut in days, it makes this proposition harder to achieve.
I am proposing that the state increase revenue by adding .25 cents to the lottery. This portion of the lottery will be used for school operation. The idea of less instructional time is unacceptable! The proposal to just sacrifice is ridicules for our students need additional time in the classroom with a competent and exemplary instructor. We must put all options on the table prior to accepting cuts as a reality. I ask that the General Assembly to run the numbers to determine if this idea is a possible solution or a piece of a solution. For our students need to be in school 5 days a week indulge in excellent instruction leading to exemplary student achievement.
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