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Jennifer,

I don't wish to seem harsh or without concern for our students and teachers, but carpet and projectors are items that should be provided by Terry Grier and the school board. I pay my taxes, and I expect that teachers will have what they need in their class rooms to do their job, without becoming beggars. I see millions of dollars being mindlessly wasted by these people, and teachers are begging for small improvements in their class rooms? This is a sad state of affairs. Perhaps, Terry Grier and the board will put some of their own money down to help.

To Echo Stormy's sentiments,

I fond it somewhat rankling that every year teachers have to beg parents for the basics when the average cost of education a child in the GCS is getting closer and closer to the cost of a private education. Additionally, now that I'm paying not only my taxes, but the cost of private school for two children, my discretionary dollars have been substancially reduced. You should address this plea to the school board. I'm sure that Dr Grief has plenty of spare money he'd like to donate.

What next? Teachers begging for toilet paper and handsoap? Or will it be paper and pencils?

I hate to plaey Scrooge, but the Guilford county School board and not-so-Superintendent have created a monster out of this used to be nice/volunterring/generous-at-fund-raising-time me.

How sad indeed that our teachers have become as Stormy says, "beggars". How sad that they have to want for anything when Terry and the School board just gave themselves a raise. How sad that they need the basics when we are preparing to renovate the same building for the third time (or is it the forth time?) How very sad that our teachers are going without or in many cases, spending their own money for simple, inexpensive tools to make their classrooms more productive.

How long do we parents have to scream and beg for the "basics"? We just want our teachers to have the basics. I already pay out the wazoo and then I get to watch it befuddled on TV each month during the monthly sitcom known as the School board meeting.

I have no more sympathy for Guilford county so-called schools. They have run the system into the ground. Let Grier and Company come to the rescue. This parent is sucked dry emotionally, physically and financially.

The way I understand it, Donors Choose is supposed to be a program that provides grant money for educational projects that wouldn't be covered by the regular budget - things like expensive science equipment or maybe a field trip. As intended, it certainly is a worthwhile program that could do a lot of good for our schools.

But it's sad to hear that Guilford County teachers are having to apply for this special grant money in order to pay for basics, like a projector or some books or a piece of carpet. Those items should be paid for by GCS out of the regular budget.

Instead, we read in the N&R about massive cost over-runs at the Smith Academy, multi-million dollar projects to repair middle schools that weren't built properly to begin with and hundreds of thousands of dollars spent on controversial "racial sensitivity" training.

There's always plenty of money for pet projects. But I know of teachers who regularly buy classroom supplies out of their own pocket. Something doesn't seem right with that picture.

Parents should not be asked to supply copy paper, Kleenex and general classroom supplies. Alan Duncan and/or Dr. Grier could put a stop to it if they wanted to. They want first class salaries and benefits but they don't want to run a first class organization. Let's hope the new Board Members will take the initiative to use common sense when it is necessary.

The truth is, public schools are pinching pennies all over the country, not just in Guilford County. If you have a concern about where the money goes, please get a copy of the budget and go line by line and make recommendations as to what should be cut and what spending should be increased.

I see that our County Commissioners routinely underfund the public school budget, but I have not seen a specific set of issues that the commissioners have with the budget or recommendations for cost savings. I just see alot of political posturing. Too bad for the kids.

I spoke to a commissioner at one point about this and this commissioner mentioned that they told the BOE to consolidate their offices because they did not feel they needed to maintain all three. So since they did not do that, they were not going to support their budget. (As a matter of principal?)

I have been to all three facilities, and they are old, tired, unappealing, and there is a person in every nook and cranny. I wouldn't want to work there every day... Depressing facilities in my opinion.

The public schools here are terribly underfunded, and the facilities here are embarrasing for a city that really wants to be a player. There are broken sidewalks that greet guests at most schools, old out-dated facilities, and by everyone's admission, the schools are about 20 years behind in facility needs.

That is everyone's responsibility, not just Dr. Grier or the BOE's.

This public school system belongs to us all, even if your kids go to private school. We all stand or fall based on the quality of our public schools.

It is easy to cast stones, and really around here, it is a sport to blame Grier and the BOE for everything, but this is all our responsibilty. We all have buy in.

Check out the budget at your local school. The teachers DO beg for basic supplies all year long. I think the Donors Choose program is wonderful, and it illuminates the real situation for our educators and our students.

If you don't like the state of affairs, I encourage you to get involved and be part of the change you want to see.

What are your ideas for how to get more money to the classrooms?

"what are your ideas for how to get more money in the classrooms"

1. Quit adding new programs that do not work and are dropped a year later.

2. Quit renovating and re-renovating and re-renovating uses of buildings (i.e. the Tomlinson Building. See last BOE meeting for Anita's comments.

3. Quit spending 1/2 million on "racial healing" that does not work. The people who need it aren't being "healed".

4. Get responsible bids, true-to-cost bids on new projects. Use DUE DILIGENCE in seeking new properties. Make well thought out decisions.

5. Quit wasting money of fuel and extra personnel for unnecessary busing across town.

6. Quit paying all these consultants, curriculum facilitators to teach teachers how to teach. Hire competent teachers in the first place.

7. Spend money on tutors and TA's not on "green schools".

8. Quit spending money that is not there that you might get in from a lottery.

How's this list for starters?

I agree everyone should support our public schools, that the public schools reflect the community. This benefits the entire community. But in real life in Guilford County more and more parents are pulling their children out for private schools. Once that happens, their $$$$ and volunteer hours and hearts go there. Older people who do not have children do not support bonds for schools. That is just how it is.

Terrina,

I challenge you on your statement that the county commisisoners underfund our public schools. That is patently false. As Get Real stated, there are millions being wasted in this system that could be used to teach children and buy the basic supplies needed. Open your eyes, Terrina, and be honest. You know that the waste is terrific. Take a look at some surrounding school districts. Their school board members demand that the superintendent spend wisely and properly. They do not allow overrruns and waste, because they know that public funding is precious. They also know that public trust is essential. When the school board and administration are seen wasting millions, as this one is, the public will evetually revolt, and that takes the form of bond referendums going down in flames. It happened in Charlotte recently, and the school board got the message quickly. They also got a new school superintendent.

Terrina, you sound like someone either on the current school board or running for it, YOu already have your list of ready made excuses why classrooms dont get money.
This school board needs to be accountable. Period. They waste too much money for all the reasons stated above and more.

Terrina,

I hate to say it, but I would have to agree that the school board wastes huge amounts of dollars on things like statisticians when they need to be spending the money on basics. this Board like to spend money on frills and neglect the basics in just about every department. I agree that the public schools should be the concern of all taxpayers. I just cannot support the huge amount of waste, the lies, the,favoritism, and the general mismanagement of the schools.

Is she new here or does she simply drink heavily before bedtime?

My idea to get more money in the classroom
is to STOP BUSING STUDENTS!!

Students with a Greensboro address should
go to a school with a Greensboro address!!!

My Terrina,

What would you call your new-found attitude? I'm sure there's some fancy lingo somewhere in your Pshycology books.

I call it two-faced. It's obvious that you dream of being among the likes of Dot Kearns and Marti Sykes and Susie Mendenhell. So is this new material that you're posting just part of your future campaign material?...So you can say, "I've always supported the schools.."??

It's a load of CRAP Terrina. Take your Mary Poppins Umbrella statements (ie..blame the Commissioners, etc) and fly back from where you came.

It wasn't too long ago you were placing "Get Terry Grier Outta Here" signs in the yards of High Point.

Now you want us to feel sorry for the poor, poor, poverty-stricken school board? There is NO seat for you on that Board Terrina. Get back to your 911-ing. We have enough CRAP on Eugene Street.

411, why are you jumping on Terrina's case? She didn't attack you or anyone else and she's just as entitled to her opinion as the rest of us. Just give us yours - no need to insult anyone.

I happen to disagree with Terrina's statements that the schools are underfunded. The Guilford County Schools receive roughly half a billion dollars every year from county, state and federal taxpayers. That's billion with a "b."

The problem, or at least a big part of it, is that too much of that money doesn't make it to the classroom. A previous post lists a number of areas of waste and I'm sure there are plenty of others.

Every household operates on a budget. You have a finite amount of money coming in and you make your spending decisions accordingly. Important items (bills, food, the mortgage, etc.) get paid first. Then, anything that's left over is discretionary money - but only after you've paid for the important stuff.

The Guilford County School Board doesn't operate this way, however. They act as if there is an infinite well of money, so they spend regardless of priority. If some new program or extra administrator comes down the pike, well, they approve it, even if that money is needed to buy, say, paper and textbooks.

When the money runs out, the school board pleads poverty - in this case, blaming the commissioners and the taxpayers for being stingy and "not caring about kids." The BOE needs to learn how to set spending priorities and live within a budget before they need any more taxpayer money.

But if anyone wants to disagree, go right ahead - I won't call you any names.

Let me tell you of one federally mandated programs that aren't fully funded... NCLB, says children at a 'failing' school can go to another school.. however there is no money for transportation and limited money for the tutoring. So when we have alot of 'opt-out' students (I am not debating if this is right or wrong, it just is..)then one school can become overcrowded, so we have to buy more trailers or pay to relocate trailers...no money for this. This can cause a domino effect.. teachers are moved, classes are split etc. More students, less hands on stuff, like computers, books at that school.. do you spend more money or do you let them make do?

I think GCS does a crappy job of distributing the money they have! Alot could be done with that money, but costs do go up.. salaries, electricity, gas, insurance replacement cost on computers, tv's etc. With more students that means we need more space. I think most of us agree that there is plenty of waste, pet projects etc., but the truth probably is in the middle, do we need more money, probably.. could we do more with what we have? Absolutely.

Debora,

Until the school board and administraton shows that they can spend their money wisely and get maximum bang for the buck, there should be no more money. It doesn't work the other way around. You give them more money before they show they know how to use it, then you are just wasting more money. Besides, if they actually did use the existing money wisely, we might find that they have to much money, not enough. Throwing money at a problem has never made it better.

But remember, GCS took away the opt-outs this year. (If anyone knows of students that can still do it, please let me know because I was told that this was no longer happening)

And as for paid tutors: In High Point, the students that may have needed it most from the Parkview/Welborn/Andrews area were redistricted far away to Southwest Middle and High this year so they are no longer able to benefit from this program either.

Grier knows how to save a buck, he just doesn't want to stop the waste.

You are right this year, the state (maybe FEds)gave Guilford Co the option to do tutoring first then opt-out later... this is a test to see if it works (makes more sense that moving first) it is better to tutor the students that need it, than to allow everyone to change schools without any extra education

Debora,

But what is being done for the students that were bused to SWH and SWM from Andrews and Welborn that desperately need tutoring? Now they have been moved so they don't qualify. Why were they moved in the first place if they needed the tutoring?

These are the very students who need help but won't get it.

That's what I want to know too. Grier saved money by not having to transport the students to an opt-out school but he also doesn't have to tutor them since the board redistricted them to a school that doesn't qualify.

This is exactly what has happened in High Point.

No need to worry, I heard that Terrina and Terry himself was tutoring them.

Terrina,

Criticizing the school board and Grier is not a sport it’s a sickness. I am sick and these people are the cause of my sickness.
Ever since they stole my child and shipped him across town to another school.

Its ok for you to criticize from that bright white Ivory tower called Summerfield. Wait until it happens to you.
Until then don’t patronize and tell me to look at budgets and give my opinion.

Have you seen how many people go and give their opinion at the public comments section of the board meetings? The board are just plain ignorant and rude. They do not listen one bit. What about what they did to High Point? The community wrote petitions, spoke at board meetings, cried at board meetings. They did what they wanted.
They don’t listen. All that is left is to throw bombs and disturb them as much as we can. If you want to encourage thoughtful and meaningful dialogue with the community then encourage the school board to listen to their customers. The children, the taxpayers and parents.

It starts there.

Dear Just Asking,
I have no idea about those children. It was wrong to redistrict those children, to just hide them in the mix. I would never try to defend that decision. I was against it then, and I am against it now. I would hope that the school would help, but again; with limited money how can they offer extra tutoring to these students, many of whom don't have transportation

Wow. It was my intention to take this conversation from the general to the specific, so I guess that happened.

I agree that it is a total waste of money to bus kids across town, and I am sickened that the kids who get shuffled around now fall through the cracks. That is why I spent time away from my family for many months fighting the HP plan even though it directly affected me, not at all. It was wrong and is wrong.

I hate all the new programs that get started here over and over. To me they are nothing more than distractions from the business at hand... what happens in the classrooms.

The purpose of my post was to solicit specifics so we can keep these issues in the consciousness of our community. Lots of people read this spot, but they often discount the posts because they are often seen as just personal attacks. It also inhibits others from posting.

I am fine with being yelled at and criticized on line. Some of it is valid and good feedback, some of it is just venting at my expense... it's all good. I take it as information.

I would respond to the 411 on Terrina... that I don't have a new found attitude. I think the schools here are in terrible shape. The teacher morale is in the toilet, and that affects our kids.

My point was not to feel sorry for the BOE or to defend them. But they are a reflection of the collective consciousness of the community, are they not?

What we did,(in regard to the HP plan) did not work. Does that mean nothing we do can work? I hope not.

We have critical issues here and we can't afford to get distracted by making this personal all the time.

And I think the drinking heavily before bedtime thing is funny. I wish I had that excuse. I just get frustrated with the state of affairs here and sometimes speak from the place of my upset.

And yes, I am new here. And my question is..."If everyone here is so disgusted with the state of the public schools here, why can't we shift this?" Is it really true that nothing can be done? Is it the way it has always been and the way it will always be?

I often hear that the BOE should be held accountable or that Dr. Grier should be held accountable... but I see no consequences here. There is no accountability in the absense of consequence. (There. That is my fancy psychological lingo.)

In real life, you are right. When people pull their kids out of public school, money and volunteer hours go too. The quality of public schooling goes down, and crime and social service costs go up.

My point about the County Commissioners funding is that it is lazy to just cut the budget every year without holding the BOE accountable in some specific way.

And I am not running for school board. Hopefully I will not live here long enough!

Terrina you fell for our trick. We just wanted you to admit that sometimes you speak from the place of your upset.

Terrina,

I agree that the county commissioners are lazy when deciding how much money to give to the schools. Grier and the school board give them a bloated budget, and they just make an arbitrary cut without knowing exactly why. They don't understand the school's budget, and heck, even the school board doesn't understand it. Grier does an excellent job of budget manipulation.

But, I won't give you a pass on your original statement, as you said "I see that our County Commissioners routinely underfund the public school budget". Hopefully, that was a mis-statement on your part, as we have just agreed that no one realy knows what the right amount may be. So, underfunding the budget is not accurate. Your statement sounded sympathetic to the schools that they never get enough money. We all know that they waste more than they properly use to educate. I'm just sitting the record straight here that the schools are not being "underfunded".

"If everyone here is so disgusted with the state of the public schools here, why can't we shift this?" Is it really true that nothing can be done? Is it the way it has always been and the way it will always be?" quoting Terrina

Unfortunately for this county that seems to be the case. As "Iwantopuke" mentioned, people wrote petitions, spoke, cried at board meetings, etc. Hours, months, days of trying to work it out. THEY DON'T LISTEN.

And no Terrina the BOE is not the "collective consciousness of the community". Most of them have proven that over and over again. God help us all if they are. What seems to speak loud and clear are self-interests for one's one district; political gain; as it has been shown so clearly with possible conflict of interest over construction contracts, a board member's personal financial gain.

You are fortunate you won't be living in Guilford County very long.

Just a couple of points:

1. To the poster that said "All that's left is to throw bombs", I refuse to accept that. Your frustration is understandable, bur schools can get better and we should demand nothing less.

2. For all of the well-documented faults with its Board of Education, Guilford County is a wonderful place to live. It pains me to hear people say they "hope they won't be living here that long" (as if there is a prison fence and armed guards at the county line.)

I just hope we don't lose sight of the many good things our community has to offer on what is shaping up to be a beautiful September day.

SBT,
Nobody is denying that this is a great place to live in general but to those of us that have had our children kidnapped by the school board its very easy to lose sight of it.
Until it happens to you then you just have no idea. ITS NOT FUNNY!
Now, when I say throwing bombs it means that many of us are watching school board meetings all the time. Sending E-mails to the board, questioning them and suggesting improvements.
In reality we are watching the board like hawks and I think that is very healthy for this County.

sad but true:

1. Agree on item number 1.

On point no. 2 what would that be? high taxes? great schools? a major league baseball/football team? mountains? a beach? (yes there is golf)

Many people like Terrina have been transferred here because of their spouse's job. They have lived several other places that have better schools, more things to do, better local government leaders (i.e. refer to Realty TV Commissioners meetings), communities that have kept up with the infrastructure needs, not 3 cities that constantly work against each, and places that do not CONSTANTLY talk about racial issues, not a dying city that still holds hope for their furniture market (re per Fantasia "the city of the dead") And yes, unless they want to get a divorce and move they are "stuck here" for now. Granted they can move to a neighboring county or go private to get away from the school situation, but you still have to live with the other mess that you don't find in other places.

It is a beautiful September day today. On that we can agree.

Now, when I say throwing bombs it means that many of us are watching school board meetings all the time. Sending E-mails to the board, questioning them and suggesting improvements
******

In that case, Things, I completely agree. We absolutely should play "watchdog" for the school board. After all, these are the PUBLIC's schools, not the school board's or the superintendent's schools. We pay for them and we have every right to have a say in how they are run.

It sounds like you are doing some good things. My only point was to say don't give up.

It Is Sad, no one is really stuck here. There are plenty of other jobs in plenty of other places and no community is perfect. My family lives here because we truly love it here - despite some of the BS you mentioned. I refuse to let any politicians ruin that.

Terrina,

I just wanted to say thanks for being such a good sport. But you really shouldn't have to put up with people attacking you personally because they don't like your viewpoint.

Terrina is one of the few people with the courage and conviction to put their names and reputations behind what they say on this blog. That doesn't mean they can be used for target practice.

We've said this before, but apparently need to remind folks: attack ideas, not people.

Thanks.

Jennifer,
Some of the comments to Terrina were a little over the top but if she had not put her real name then the responses would be pretty much the same.

To me it sounded a typical response from some of the non-public friendly school board members we have.
"What are you going to do about it" or as Marti Sykes says regularly "why don’t you run for school board then"?

The board has all the power. It’s an almighty power where they have the possibility to kidnap your child if they feel like it.
"Oh, I woke up with a headache this morning I think I am going to steal a few more kids from North High Point"!
Just like that. Then, if you try to rationalize with them and they don't listen so you complain. Once you complain you get?

"Why don't you run for school board then"?

Well, that kind of attitude just pisses me off! So, in fact to keep Marty happy some of us ARE doing something about it and its more than just throwing bombs!

..and besides, Terrina, by her own admission, psychologicaled us into saying those things. We didn't mean to say anything at all but she worked her wiles on us. It was like she hypnotized us or something.

She's good.

Terrina by her own admission, her website and TV blibs on the news is a trained "professional" in psycho mumble jumble. She can handle herself quite well. If I am not mistaken there were some old blog postings when she used quite strong languate herself that should have said "#!*#!#@". Someone's past history of planting yellow signs, having bumper stickers on their car, etc. can be a significant reference point. It's kind of like a Democrat turning Republican all of a sudden or visa versa.

SBT, there are things I like about this area too but overall the local politics is definitely not one of them. Unfortunately many families ARE stuck here for now. It depends on if your spouse wants to move, you can afford to move, if his/her company will tranfer you, your age in the marketable workforce, health issues, what year your children are in at school, family obligations to older parents, etc. I know many people who just can't pick up and leave right now. This would be the same if they lived here or elsewhere. If your spouse is in the military, you cannot move until you are transferred.

There may be amble jobs in other places and no community is perfect, but I personally have lived in better places. So have many of the other transplants. We definitely have had better schools and not all this constrant tension, busing, redistricting and unstableness. Most people do make the best of it. Many have just put their children in private schools so they don't have to deal with it. The numbers are continually growing.