A statewide half-cent sales tax is one solution to Georgia avoiding more cuts to education funding, Georgia Association of Educators president Jeff Hubbard says.
Speaking at a meeting of several North Georgia GAE members on Tuesday at the Oakwood Cafe, Hubbard said the Legislature should avoid adding to seven years of educating funding cuts totaling nearly $2 billion. Hubbard is still seeking a legislator to introduce the proposal. The tax would last two to three years, just enough time for the state to receive some extra funding until the economy turns around, he said. Lawmakers have already proposed a 1 percent sales tax for state transportation funding, he said.
“If people will pay for good roads,” Hubbard said, “don’t you think they would pay for a good educational system?”
Karen Roark, a 28-year teacher who works in gifted education at Roan School, said she believes local taxpayers would support the sales tax. State funding cuts mean local school systems have to cut their budgets or raise taxes to make up for lost revenue.
“I think Dalton and Whitfield County taxpayers would probably like that idea more than property tax increases,” she said.
Roark is one of five employees from Dalton Public Schools who attended a rally at the state capitol on Saturday. Some 1,300 GAE members from across Georgia rallied with signs and speeches to urge lawmakers not to cut education funding.
Jeff Adair, a counselor at Varnell Elementary School, was among about 10 educators from Whitfield County Schools who attended.
“I think it was a great start, but we just can’t do that and then it’s over,” Adair said. “This is an issue until we see the economy pick up.”
Several Murray County educators attended, but an exact count wasn’t immediately available. The GAE is sending a message of “invest now or pay later,” referring to studies that indicate lack of education leads to prison time, Hubbard said.
Several rounds of funding cuts mean public education will receive $710 million less in the current fiscal year than was allocated last year, officials said. The current year’s total state budget is $18.6 billion, though more cuts are expected, and the proposed budget for the coming year is $18.2 billion. Because of funding issues, every school system in Georgia has applied for and received a waiver to allow for slightly larger class sizes, Hubbard said.
In a press release on the state Web site, Gov. Sonny Perdue says state officials have “actively managed” the budget amid sliding revenues.
Ralph Noble, a teacher at Eastbrook Middle School and a past statewide GAE president, said he wonders what education funding will look like a couple of years from now after federal stimulus funding expires. Federal funding has partially offset state cuts, but “2012 looks like a total train wreck,” he said.
Education
GAE chief promotes sales tax for education
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Northwest students place high, take tech to next level
Several Northwest Whitfield High School students placed high in the Sequoyah Regional Georgia Educational Technology Fair. Pictured from left are Josh Rountree, Audrey Edds, Bryan Cooper and Eli McMahon.
Several Northwest Whitfield High School students placed high in the Sequoyah Regional Georgia Educational Technology Fair.
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Dalton student on GPS May Court
Christian Bryant of Dalton has been elected to the May Court at Girls Preparatory School and will serve as crown bearer to the May Queen during the May Day festivities in April.
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Northwest Whitfield High School Sweetheart Court
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Art student’s work on exhibition
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Professor to speak on the Oscars during 'Lunch & Learn' program
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Local high schools recognized for AP classes, exams
State School Superintendent John Barge named several local high schools as Advanced Placement (AP) Honor Schools.
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The Perfect Polish
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MCHS accepts letterman's jacket
James “William” Butler’s family presented his letterman’s jacket to Murray County High School Principal Gina Linder during halftime of a varsity boys’ basketball game recently. The jacket, which has a “1962 STATE CHAMPIONSHIP” patch on it, will be displayed in the school’s trophy case. Presenting the jacket to Linder were Butler’s nieces, Chloe Brown and Ashley Strong; his wife, Patsy Butler; his daughter, Robin Baggett; and his grandchildren, Jaden and Janna Baggett.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December teacher of the month
English teacher Jennifer Weninger (center) was selected by her peers as December’s Teacher of the Month at Mountain Creek Academy. Principal Paula Martin (right) and Curriculum Instructor Facilitator/Counselor Jennifer Lents presented her with the award.
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Mountain Creek Academy honors December staff of the month
Mountain Creek Academy Lisa Sanford, center, accepts a certificate from Principal Paula Martin and Counselor Jennifer Lents (left) as she is recognized with a December Staff of the Month award. Sanford has worked at Mountain Creek for 12 years.
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Med students visit Murray High
In December, students from Murray County High School and North Murray High School were invited to meet with fourth-year medical students Allen Ligon of Augusta and Heath Petty, an MCHS graduate.
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Gladden honors December student of the month
Joey Ecklebarger is the December 2011 Gladden Middle School Student of the Month. Joey is motivated and puts forth great effort in all classes. His behavior and attitude towards school, other students and teachers is also outstanding. Sean Hammond, Joey’s social studies teacher says of Joey, “He is great to have on our team.”
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Coker honors students for Week 14 good behavior
As part of Coker Elementary School’s PBIS or Positive Behavioral and Interventions Support system, students that follow the school expectations are recognized each week for their Great Behavior.
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Gladden students use Facebook in lessons
Gladden Middle School eighth-grader Shaley Stafford shows her Facebook page model on the book “Alice in Wonderland.” Eighth grade reading teacher Keith Rollins had his students choose a book from the library to do a book report on. However, this was not an ordinary book report. After the students read their book, they were to do their report by making a Facebook page about their book.
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Gladden assigns January Dreamcatcher award
Every month, one of the faculty members at Gladden Middle School is recognized for having the most clean and organized room. The award given is called the Dream Catcher Award. Seventh grade social studies teacher Jennifer Bennett was awarded the Dream Catcher Classroom of the Month for January and will hang the Dream Catcher model in her room until the next month.
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