What can one expect of our schools when we allow our Government to pick golf over education. How about boat ramps, gun ranges, camp grounds, football or baseball? All of which are subsidized by OUR tax dollars.
I will not argue that our education system is not completely broke, here in Georgia and across the Country. What I am trying to point out is when OUR elected officials opt to continue subsidizing the likes of recreation how can we expect education to get any better?
All 4 of my children are products of the Bartow County Public School System. I know all too well the challenges parents face when dealing with teachers, administrators, the school board and central office staff. It can be a nightmare. I also know the challenges teachers face when dealing with these same people INCLUDING the parents. We have tied the hands of our teachers to teach to a very specific curriculum, the CRCT and now we are telling them to do it with less pay. Would you teach?
It is quite easy to start with the lowest man on the totem pole and find the issues. Business do this very thing every day. But the fact of the matter is teachers follow the examples of the parents and administrators. We have allowed special interests to deprive our school systems of the very funds they should be receiving. Should OUR tax dollars be used to add another teacher or reduce the cost of a golf game? Should OUR tax dollars be used to add another teacher or keep Charlie Elliot Gun Range open? It's your choice.
I ask you, if we cannot FORCE our elected officials to do right by our money how can we force them to do right by education?
It is time that our Government be held to the essentials and do away with the special interests. It is time for the tax burden on the citizens and businesses to be relieved. It is time for the Government, state and federal, to stop wasting money on recreation and start spending it wisely.
Of course it is time for the school system to stop spending money on football, baseball, cheerleading and the likes and start focusing on reading, writing and arithmetic but I bet the parents will not lead the teachers in this direction.
Ron Gibson
Cartersville