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My contribution isn't tax deductible. My contribution is tax. Property tax and other tax that is supposed to fund education.

I think it is total BS that teachers are responsible for paying for their own supplies and I sure as heck wouldn't encourage that type of system by donating money for it. Let Grier cough up the money. Otherwise, let's see how parents react when teachers can't do their jobs because they have no chalk, tissue, paper, etc. Maybe that will be what it takes to run these idiots out of town.

Very well said, nitpicker.

And who's money will Grier be coughing up exactly? As to what you think is BS...

My dad likes to say "There are the way things should be and then there are the way they are."

I do not think this is where we draw our line in the sand. Do you really think we should have enough spare chalk, computers, band instruments, etc on hand in case an entire school burns to the ground? That indeed would be a waste! These families need our immediate help and I do not intend to leave them to the govt's mercies. Support the teachers, kids and families of Eastern Guilford. Thank you.

I really see no reason why there would not be extra supplies of paper, chalk, glue and other standard classroom supplies on hand. Computers and band instruments I can see. Computers have a limited shelf-life and band instruments are often personal property of the student. I support a fund to replace student's band instruments. If you'll notice from my post above, I never mentioned anything about computers or band instruments.

My main beef is that it is a commonly accepted practice that teachers must pay for their own classroom supplies. I think it is wrong that this is being turned into a charity case for things that should be handled by the school administration. Use charity for things beyond the school's responsibility. However, many of the items on the lists should be up to the school to provide.

We'll just have to have different opinions on this one.

nitpicker,

You said it very well. It is rediculous that central office is sitting on their hands and letting the public pick-up the Eastern teachers' needs. Mick asks the question as to whose money Grier wil cough-up. Good question, but the answer is the taxpayers' money that he is sitting on. Grier has his own little "office" account which he uses for lavish entertaining and such at expensive restautants. That money could be better spent on supplies for Eastern teachers where it will actually contribute to education. History has shown that any time that funds are needed for something that Grier wants, such as a $25,000 contribution to his retirement, funds are always available. And, I believe that I recall that the district maintains an emergency or contingency fund that could be used in this case.

And, whether they actually have chalk, etc. on-hand is not the issue. They have cash that they can use to buy it, just like you, Mick and I would have to do. I don't know about you and Mick, but I don't have any surplus of chalk and erasers on hand either. I'm sure that Staple's or some other company would give them a big discount and deliver it for free.

The day that I see some fiscal responsibility coming out of this school administration is the day that I will consider putting out my personal funds. Vote Garth in District 2 today for an accountable school board and administration. Many people are doing so today because they are tired of the wasted millions of taxpayer dollars. this is just one fine example.

nitpicker,

You are right also about the teachers getting stiffed over school supplies. There was a documented case one or two years ago of teachers being told that they had to use less paper and parents were asked to buy paper and send it to school. It seems that Grier had told the principals that they had a strict budget for paper, and they needed to go the parents if they needed something above and beyond their pitiful little budget. Well, once it hit the fan and went public, Grier pleaded that there was just a misunderstanding and the central office supply people were at fault. Interestingly, the problem went away, but only after it became public and the school board was asked about it. You see, Terry Grier is never at fault, it'e someone else's fault or a misunderstanding on someone else's part.

Yeah for Garth. Does anyone know anything about the other new guy on the board? I would love to learn about him.

I taught for 25 years in the GCS's. I NEVER had to spend a dime of my money for supplies, always had everything I need. Perhaps we need to look at the budgets of the individual schools who require teachers to pay for supplies.

I think now would be a time for the business group, forget their name, to step up with some money for needed items instead of spending money on an ad campaign to show how great GCS is.

Amen, Carol.

I was disappointed there were not more challengers. I do know a little about Jeff. He is pretty much a regular guy, not the silver spoon type. I've always found him to be a really nice guy. Other than that, I have no idea about his political leanings.

I wish I could have voted for Garth but I'm not in his district. I thought I was. Unfortunately, my only choice was to vote for an incumbent or not vote at all. I chose to not vote rather than do anything to indicate my approval.