Local News
New high school intrigues Shoemaker
By Mark Millican
markmillican@daltoncitizen
After being on the Murray County Board of Education from 2003-2006, Greg Shoemaker believes he has some unfinished business to take care of — helping to build North Murray High School.
“Discussion had started about the new high school when I was on the board before,” Shoemaker said. “In fact, we had formed a land committee. I’d like to see that project get accomplished.”
Shoemaker said having two younger children almost ready to enter the school system also figured into his decision to run again for the school board.
“I want to do the best I can for them,” he said. “I want to give back to the community again.”
Shoemaker, a Republican, is running against Democrat Raymond Keener for the District 4 seat in the Nov. 4 general election. Shoemaker defeated incumbent Billy Webb in the Republican primary in July. Current board member Josh Young ousted Shoemaker from the at-large District 7 post in the Republican primary in 2006.
Shoemaker, 39, said he would “look at every area” of the budget if elected again.
“We can look at more cuts,” he said, “but from there what else can you do? The school board is limited in the funds it can get. I believe we should look closely at grants, specifically Title I grants — and I know those are for certain areas — but we need to be asking ourselves if there is any way we can keep from cutting programs.”
U.S. Department of Education Title I funds are directed toward school districts with a high percentage of students from low-income families.
“The thing regarding cuts is, some will say they’re good and others will say they’re bad,” Shoemaker said. “There’s no getting around that.”
Shoemaker said the new high school may be responsible for what some see as a high number of board meetings
“I don’t know all the issues,” he said. “With the new high school, of course you are going to have more meetings. That’s just a given. Now, does it require as many as they’ve had, I don’t know. If there’s a way to combine issues, not have three or four separate meetings, you need to do that. I’m not saying they haven’t done that.”
Shoemaker said security at the schools is also a concern.
“We may be a small town, but we are not immune to drugs and violence,” he said. “When I was on the board before, the school resource officer (SRO) at Murray County High said it was hard for him to watch everything inside and outside the building, and he had the Ninth Grade Academy across the street to watch, too.
“We either have to have another SRO — and I don’t know how the budget would handle that — or have more surveillance equipment and make sure it’s working properly. That goes for the new high school as well.”
Shoemaker said he’d like to review the security systems and school resource officers at each school to ensure they are still adequate.
- Local News
-
-
60-plus people arrested at cockfighting raid
CHATSWORTH — More than 60 people have been arrested after a raid on a cockfighting site on Berry Bennett Road Saturday morning, Murray County Sheriff Howard Ensley said.
-
Coahulla Creek High work continues
When construction on Whitfield County’s newest high school is complete, the campus will feature more prominent outdoor classrooms than any school in the district and will be designed for the project-based learning students are moving toward.
-
New wing at Dalton High almost ready
Dalton High School will soon open the doors to its first addition to the main building since the school was built in 1976.
-
Georgia’s budget mess could hurt local health care
Some plans to deal with the state’s growing budget deficit could take a big bite out of Georgia’s health care system, say local doctors and hospital officials.
-
North Murray High Schools set to open this fall
North Murray High School will likely offer at least three programs students in the school district have never had before: cosmetology, culinary arts and graphic arts.
-
Restaurant report card — Murray County
Murray County Environmental Health conducts inspections of restaurants every three months. The inspectors may require a re-inspection. Restaurants are required by law to post their most recent inspection permit. The Daily Citizen lists areas where the establishments are out of compliance.
-
DAP presents ‘Do You Remember?’ March 26-28
With today’s computer downloads and satellite radio offerings, the music of our memories is more accessible than ever in our history. As a result, it transcends time and allows both young and old to appreciate the music once only labeled as the domain of “my generation.”
-
Two performances this week at the guild
The Creative Arts Guild’s monthly Noon Arts performance will feature the Rome Area Flute Ensemble.
-
Democratic candidate forum today
Georgia 9th Congressional Democratic Party’s county committees will hold a candidate forum today from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Northwest Georgia Trade and Convention Center. Nineteen candidates for state or federal offices have been invited, and 14 are scheduled to attend. There’s no admission charge, and the public is encouraged to attend.
-
Bluegrass Bands and Helping Hands strikes up the bands again to benefit North Georgia jobless
Bluegrass Bands and Helping Hands has announced that its second benefit concert is scheduled to be Sept. 25.
- More Local News Headlines
-
60-plus people arrested at cockfighting raid
