Dunwoody's State Representative, Tom Taylor drops HR 58 to authorize Municipal independent school systems

http://www.legis.ga.gov/Legislation/en-US/display/20172018/HR/58

House Resolution 58
By: Representatives Taylor of the 79th, Stovall of the 74th, and Brockway of the 102nd

A RESOLUTION
1 Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize any municipality in the State
2 of Georgia to establish by local law an independent school system; to provide definitions; to
3 provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification
4 or rejection; and for other purposes.

5 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

6 SECTION 1.
7 Article VIII, Section V of the Constitution is amended by revising Paragraph I as follows:
8 "Paragraph I. School systems continued; consolidation of school systems authorized;
9 new independent school systems prohibited. permitted. (a) Authority is granted to
10 county, municipal, and area boards of education to establish and maintain public schools
11 within their limits; provided, however, that the authority provided for in this Paragraph
12 shall not diminish any authority of the General Assembly otherwise granted under this
13 article, including the authority to establish special schools as provided for in Article VIII,
14 Section V, Paragraph VII.
15 (b) As used in this Paragraph, the term:
16 (1) 'County school system' means a school system operated under the control and
17 management of a county board of education; and
18 (2) 'Independent school system' means a school system operated under the control and
19 management of a board of education of a municipality or other political subdivision of
20 this state other than a county school district.
21 (c) Existing county and independent school systems shall be continued, except that the
22 General Assembly may provide by law for the consolidation of two or more county school
23 systems, independent school systems, portions thereof, or any combination thereof into a
24 single county, municipal, or area school system under the control and management of a
25 county, municipal, or area board of education, under such terms and conditions as the
26 General Assembly may prescribe; but no such consolidation shall become effective until
27 approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon in each separate school
28 system proposed to be consolidated. No independent school system shall hereafter be
29 established."

30 SECTION 2.
31 The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as
32 provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the
33 above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:
34 "( ) YES
35 ( ) NO
Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow any municipality to
establish an independent school system by local law?"
36 All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes."
37 All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No." If
38 such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall
39 become a part of the Constitution of this state.

Independent School System Meetings Mon & Tues in Dunwoody at Library.

Dunwoody Public Library 

Monday, October 12 6pm-8pm 

Tuesday, October 13, 10am-1pm

Georgians for Local Area School Systems Fundraiser at McKendrick’s Steak House in Dunwoody - Tues Aug 25th

Parents,

You are invited to join GLASS (Georgians for Local Area School Systems), for a fundraising event.

Georgia House of Representatives Host Committee: Joe Wilkinson, Tom Taylor, Mike Dudgeon, Valerie Clark and Buzz Brockway.

Meet legislators and hear about future legislation allowing the creation of independent school systems in Georgia.

Join us August 25th, 5 pm-7 pm, McKendrick’s Steak House, 4505 Ashford Dunwoody Road, Dunwoody, 30346. Suggested donation $100 per couple.

Complimentary light hors d’oeuvres, beer, wine and soda.

House Education sub-commitee to review HR 4 to allow municipalities to form independent school systems

The House Education Sub-Committee on Academic Innovations will meet Wednesday, February 25, 2015 at 1:00PM in Room 403 CAP. The agenda will be as follows: 1. HR 4 – Representative Tom Taylor - Municipalities; establish by local law an independent school system; authorize

It is unknown if this meeting with will be live streamed but check here on Wednesday.

Dunwoody City Council offers resolution in support of HR 4 to authorize any municipality in the State of Georgia to establish by local law, an independent school system.

HR 4 presented by Rep. Tom Taylor - A RESOLUTION proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize any municipality in the State of Georgia to establish by local law an independent school system; to provide definitions; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

---

A RESOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF HR 4

WHEREAS, the 2015 Georgia General Assembly Legislative Session begins on January 12, 2015 to consider important legislative matters of the state; and

WHEREAS, the City of Dunwoody is concerned with legislative matters at the state level which have an impact on the governmental operations of the City of Dunwoody; and

WHEREAS, it is appropriate for the City of Dunwoody to adopt legislative priorities to present to its representatives in the General Assembly; and

WHEREAS, the City of Dunwoody has identified a number of important legislative items that may be considered by the state legislature in the upcoming year including opportunities to enhance and improve K-12 Educational opportunities; and

WHEREAS, HR 4 is a proposed amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize any municipality to establish individually or collectively by local law an independent school system; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejections; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, adoption of HR 4 will empower City officials, staff, and representatives to advocate on the City’s behalf, before and to members of the state legislature on such educational values and goals which are most feasible, urgent and/or of the highest importance.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED AND EFFECTIVE this 12th day of January, 2015 that the Mayor and Council of the City of Dunwoody commit its support of HR 4.

---

H.R. 4 requires 120 votes in the Georgia state House and 38 votes in the Georgia state Senate before it can be placed on the 2016 ballot for approval or rejection by the voters.

Dunwoody resident's response to Brad Goodchild’s “Attack on Education and Tom Taylor”

Video

By, Erika Harris

       Co-Chair of Georgians for Local Area School Systems and Dunwoody Resident

This election campaign cycle has been an interesting and sometimes difficult one to observe.  I’ve been proud to watch Representative Tom Taylor stay positive, refuse to engage the mud slinging & negative campaign run by Goodchild, and focus on his own past efforts, successes, and his future intentions. 

Just days before the May 20^th Primary, Brad Goodchild has put out a mailer attacking Representative Taylor for the extraordinary work he has put forth on the Independent School Resolution (HR486).  For the record, I have workedin lock step with Tom Taylor on this resolution for the past eight months.  

“My opponent spends a lot of time touting his bill for a Dunwoody school district... that never saw a vote. Why does he feel pride in this legislative non-accomplishment?”  - Brad Goodchild

I am floored by the ignorance and arrogance that Mr.Goodchild reveals in his commentary.  Both Tom Taylor and Fran Millar were extremely upfront that this effort was going to be one that would require patience and time to accomplish.  Consider that it took three years for Dunwoody to become a city through Legislative approval, something already allowed by the constitution.  How is it then that Brad Goodchild would assume that this constitutional amendment wouldn’t be vetted with equal time and consideration?

HR486 serves to amend our state constitution, ratifying an amendment from nearly 70 years ago.  If Brad Goodchild knew any of the background of education legislation in Georgia, he would know why this was not going to be a one session push through.  Further, if he understood the dynamics and complexity of rural versus metro politics, he would not be so quick to criticize Mr. Taylor’s legislation.

But Brad Goodchild does not know these things.  Why?  Simply because he has not been involved in any of the efforts to improve education in our city or our state. He has not attended information sessions, city events to learn more about improving education through legislative efforts, or shown support down at the Capitol... 

“My opponent personifies the "showing up is good enough" mentality that has brought DeKalb County schools to the brink of losing accreditation.” – Brad Goodchild

Well, if this is really the bar he is using, “showing up”, Mr. Goodchild has not even come near reaching his own bar. Let’s recap: not showing up for any educational events, not showing up for the DHA debate, not answering media phone calls…  When does he show up? 

Our children do deserve better, as Brad Goodchild points out in his letter.  They don’t deserve someone who seeks to “pad his resume” using false claims and undeserved bravado in an attempt to win an election against a proven incumbent, as Mr. Goodchild does. 

I urge everyone to show up on Tuesday the 20^th and cast their vote for Tom Taylor who stands for honesty, integrity, and accountability in more than words, but in proven leadership.

HR 486, the bill to create independent school systems in Georgia passes out of committee. Video of meeting.

Video

The link to the video above shows the Georgia state House Education committee who passed HR 486 to create Independent school districts for new cities by a 7-3 vote Feb. 5. The bill now goes to the Rules Committee for consideration. The bill calls for a state constitutional amendment allowing new school districts under those limitations. A constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds vote of both the state House and Senate and a simple majority vote of the people in November.

My favorite comments in the meeting came from Rep. Edward Setzler (R - Acworth) and I thought they needed to be broken out and highlighted from the main video.

Video 

Kudos and thank you to Rep Tom Taylor, Senator Fran Millar, the Leadership at State Capital and all of the Citizens who are working so hard to move this difficult bill forward. 

Video

Videos of the Dunwoody City Council Meetings of Jan 13, 2014

Video - 6 pm CAD2CAD 911

Video - 7 pm (Glass, DeKalb Sanitation, Paving, Complete Streets, Trees)

Importance of Dunwoody Homeowners Association stressed at Annual Meeting.

Video Playlist ( 45 min)

Great introduction speech by Dunwoody Homeowners Association President Stacey Harris on the importance of the DHA and all of the great things they do for the community.  If you are not a paying member, please register.

Huge kudos to the DHA Citizen of the Year: Jay Kapp, for his support of community events.

DHA Community Service Awards to Bill Grossman, former president of the association, and former Dunwoody City Council member Adrian Bonser.

Dunwoody Nature Center presents the Dave Adams Award to Rotary Club officials Harvey Rosenzweig and Rick Woods

Speeches by Dunwoody Mayor Mike Davis on City topics and Robert Wittenstein on an independent school system.

Announcement that Gov. Nathan Deal will serve as grand marshal of Dunwoody's Fourth of July parade


Video 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQZebsGkAsA

Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWS0FHm04tQ

Video 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcDVW9WYd7k

Video of Dunwoody State Representative Forum held on Jan 12, 2014 at DUMC

Playlist of four videos - one hour.

Interesting forum, introductions at the beginning gives a nice overview of our legislators priorities then questions from public touched on various issues including possible City Charter changes, Independent School Systems, Juvenile Justice, New Cities in DeKalb, Public Transportation System Mergers, and a few other items.  The forum closes with 2 min closing statements of each panel member.

Video 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rw65JUA2y2U

Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFBi87W5Z7Q

Video 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4A5CQN2G0U

Video 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_6-lRYlCido

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday January 13, 2014

Monday, January 13, 2014
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East

Dunwoody, GA 30346

6:00 pm - Work Session & Exec Session

7:00 p.m. - Voting Meeting

Watch Live at 7 pm

Agenda

Update on the CAD-to-CAD Interface Project. - 6 pm

Presentation by Georgians for Local Area School Systems.
       Should Georgia change its constitution to allow Dunwoody and others to create own schools? by Erika Harris

Presentation by DeKalb County Sanitation - Pilot Automated Trash Collection and Once/WeekPickup.

Approval of Resolution in Support of H.R. 486

Discussion of Updated Concept Plan for Renaissance 5 Acre Park on the 19 Acre Property.
      Jan 13th Memo and Updated Concept Drawing
  
Historical Docs on 5 acre Park

• Bob Mullen email of Dec 10th outlining background documents on 5 acre park.
• 12 08 15 Council Roundtable - ProjRen Parks & Trail.pdf
• 12 09 04 Public meeting fact sheet.pdf 2013-12-4 - 5 Acre Park Site Plan v.2.pdf
• North Shallowford Active Park - Concept A.PDF
• North Shallowford Active Park - Concept B.PDF
• Public comment cards - 5-acre park meeting 11-19-13.pdf
• Updated Concept plan Visual for ProjRen 5 acre Park.PDF

Discussion of Name and Charter Amendments of Sustainability Commission

Discussion of Amendments to No Net Loss of Trees Policy.

Discussion of Amendment to the City of Dunwoody Comprehensive Transportation Plan.
      Guessing it is a request to remove center lane from Mt. Vernon?

Discussion of 2014 Paving Plan.

Dunwoody School meetings Sunday 2 pm at St. Luke's and Dunwoody Mom knows best.

On Friday, December 6th, Chesnut Charter Elementary joined the Atlanta Falcons' "RISE UP-idemic," as the school celebrated having been chosen as the Atlanta Falcon's "Rise up Friday" School of the Week. The title was earned after Ms. Julie Borenstein’s 5th grade Discovery students submitted to the Falcons their "rise up" themed bulletin board demonstrating their spirit and pride in Atlanta's hometown NFL team. Chesnut’s entire student body, faculty and staff welcomed Freddie the Falcon and two cheerleaders as they presented a banner for display in the school.

Smart Dunwoody kids win DeKalb County Academic Bowl - Congrats to both Dunwoody & Vanderlyn.

Dunwoody Parents Concerned about Quality Education will host a community meeting to review the Dunwoody Independent School District Feasibility Study on Sunday, December 15 at 2:00 pm in the Great Hall of St. Luke's Presbyterian Church, 1978 Mt. Vernon Road in Dunwoody.

Georgians for Local Area School Systems is an advocacy group promoting the passage of HR 486 in the Georgia General Assembly and then by a state wide referendum. GLASS will meet following the 2 pm Dunwoody Parents Concerned About Quality Education Community Meeting.

Dunwoody Mom, the blogger who writes Dunwoody School Daze always has the best inside information on what is happening in and around our schools.  Well worth a follow and a special shout out as every story above was lifted from her!

Dunwoody City Council Agenda for Monday December 9th, 2013 - busy night last meeting of 2013.

Monday, December 9th
Dunwoody City Hall
41 Perimeter Center East

Dunwoody, GA 30346

5:00 pm - Exec Session

7:00 p.m. - Voting Meeting

Watch Live at 7 pm

Agenda

Proclamation Recognizing Mayor Dr. Eva Galambos.

Proclamation Recognizing Council Member Dr. Adrian Bonser.

Update on Dunwoody Independent School System Financial Feasibility Study. (Robert Wittenstein)

SECOND READ: Approval of Amendments to Chapter 6, Animals (Nuisance).

Discussion and Approval of 2014 City Council and Community Development Boards Meeting Schedules.

Approval of Updated Concept Plan for Renaissance 5 Acre Park on the 19 Acre Property.

• Not in the memo but my thoughts after discussions with neighbors as to why we would have three children's playgrounds so close together? Why not remove some more of the children's play structures and focus this specific park on activities for adults & seniors? Keep the splashpad, the sports courts and a very limited amount of playground but find activities and community gathering places that are not available elsewhere.
•  Several Pickleball courts could be installed and the facility could house a league, the same could also be said for Shuffleboard courts, Horseshoe pits, an artificial putting green and maybe a chess pavilion could be built into the hillside on the corner allowing a shaded peaceful place to congregate between the two trail heads overlooking the park. I'm thinking that the band shell needs to go to Brook Run but we need to be creative with the hillside in this park concept.

Approval of Award of Brook Run Park Multi-Use Trail Phase II Construction Contract.

Approval of 2014 Website Redesign Contract Award - Jesse James Creative.

• RFI, questions, responses, examples of work http://visitpagosasprings.com http://edinamn.gov http://www.cityofcheney.org http://unicefinnovation.org

Update on the CAD-to-CAD Interface Project.

Approval of Contract 13-10 Brook Run Dog Park Construction.

• Discussion of current Dog Park Situation, Proposal by BRDPA and Dec 2nd Meeting

Approval of Contract 13-11 Dunwoody Nature Center Renovation.

Approval of Contract 13-04 Parks and Right of Way Maintenance.

Approval of Contract for Installation of Electrical Conduit for Camera System at Brook Run Park.

Approval of ARC-MARTA Offset Funds Intergovernmental Agreement for Dunwoody VillageParkway.

Approval of Agreement with Georgia DOT for PCIDs Commuter Trail System Study.

Approval of Agreement with Georgia DOT for the Georgetown Area Multimodal Improvements Project.

Discussion of Amendment to the City of Dunwoody Comprehensive Transportation Plan.

Final Report - Proposed Dunwoody Independent School District Financial Feasibility

Full Report

Introduction and Summary of Conclusions

This report on the financial feasibility of forming a Dunwoody Independent School District was commissioned by the City of Dunwoody, through the Dunwoody Parents Concerned about Quality Education, a community group formed in 2013 to explore opportunities to improve public education in Dunwoody.

Dunwoody’s public school students (6,082 students in 2012) attend one of the seven public schools located within the city limits. All of these schools are currently under the management and supervision of the DeKalb County Public School District (97,297 students in 2012). Together, the seven Dunwoody schools comprise a relatively self-contained cluster that could conceivably be operated as an independent public school district.

The report is specifically designed to assess whether educational services provided to the recently founded City of Dunwoody by the DeKalb County School District could be provided more efficiently with a leaner organizational form. The question is whether a Dunwoody Independent School District (DISD) can potentially manage a single ‘cluster’ of Dunwoody schools (one high school, and ‘feeder’ middle school and elementary schools) and deliver the same or better district educational and management services at lower cost.

 Such organizational reform may be not only financially prudent but would facilitate the classroom-centered and child-centered operations without the organizational encumbrances of a district organized to serve 98,000 children. Significant changes in information technology have substantially altered the economies of scale arguments that previously argued for larger school districts. Smaller districts are consistent with educational reform that emphasizes child-centered education.

This report assesses the financial feasibility of a smaller Dunwoody Independent School District with analysis of the most detailed and accurate available data. We reallocate the sources of revenue and allocations of cost from the current consolidated DeKalb County School District (which now supervises Dunwoody schools) to project revenue and cost allocations as if a separate and independently controlled Dunwoody School District (DSD) had existed in 2012. We also reallocate resources based on the number of students who would transfer into schools within the new boundaries as well as students who are expected to move from private schools into the new DISD.

The Dunwoody schools are currently managed and controlled under the operational and financial umbrella of the DeKalb County School. If the Dunwoody cluster of schools were managed under a separate and independent school district, some current sources of revenue would follow students and schools to the new Dunwoody Independent School District (DISD). Other revenues would remain allocated to what we term the deconsolidated DeKalb County School District (DDCSD). The allocation of 2012 revenue to either the independent Dunwoody district or the deconsolidated DeKalb district depends on detailed and specific characteristics of the two student populations, supporting communities, and the experience and educational profile of the assigned teachers.

Likewise, the analysis reallocates the consolidated DeKalb County School District 2012 costs between an independent Dunwoody district and a deconsolidated DeKalb district. Using line-item cost detail, we calculated those operating costs of the DISD that are required for each new school, classroom, and student. These estimates of various fixed and variables costs allowed us to project cost shifts for students who would transfer to new schools across new boundaries and student currently in private schools who are projected to transfer to DISD.

This reallocation of revenues and costs (including projected costs of a new Dunwoody Independent School District central office) allows the conclusion that deconsolidation and formation of an independent school district is financially feasible for the City of Dunwoody. In fact, projected revenues for a separate Dunwoody Independent School District from local property tax allocations, state funding, and federal funding would have been $78.7 million in 2012 (based on student and community characteristics, teachers’ profiles and current laws and regulation). Costs of $37.8 million in 2012 would no longer have accrued to a deconsolidated DeKalb County School District, but would have fallen to a new Dunwoody district. Costs for operation of a Dunwoody central office and services are projected to be $10.3 million. On net, revenues for operations of an independent Dunwoody school district would exceed school and district operating costs by $30.7 million annually.

Reallocation also has consequences for a deconsolidated DeKalb School District. After significant wealth-reallocation transfer by state and federal authorities, a deconsolidated DeKalb would lose $77.3 million in revenue (out of a consolidated total of $863.6 million) and $50.5 million in costs. A loss in local revenues of $57.2 million is mitigated as state and federal funding grow as a share of total funding. The net reduction in resources available to DeKalb after deconsolidation is $26.8 million. This is the equivalent of $293 per student per year.

The detailed 25 page report can be found here.

Kelly McCutchen and Prof. Christine P. Ries1
November 18, 2013

DeKalb County's unilateral decision against Druid Hills Charter Cluster forces fight to Georgia Legislature for independent school systems.

Next round will be fought here at the Capital.

As per Maureen Downey of the AJC, In a contentious 5-4 vote tonight, the DeKalb County Board of Education rejected the Druid Hills Charter Cluster petition.  The "no" vote followed about four hours of tense debate. Those voting for the cluster were Thaddeus Mayfield, John Coleman, Marshall Orson and Jim McMahan.

The charter petition would have put Druid  Hills High School and six feeder schools under the management of a nonprofit organization and freed them from the reach of the central office. The cluster of schools would have its own administrators and board of directors. The petition, the first in Georgia involving the conversion of a cluster of traditional public schools, had to win the blessing of the school board to proceed as there is no appeals process in the state law. 

With no other options, the fight for an independent school system moves to the State Legislature where HR 486 presented by Representative Taylor of Dunwoody offers options for new local school systems.  

House Resolution 486

By: Representatives Taylor of the 79th, Jacobs of the 80th, Riley of the 50th, Wilkinson of the 52nd, Dudgeon of the 25th, and others

A RESOLUTION

Proposing an amendment to the Constitution so as to authorize any municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, and any municipality which is contiguous to a municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, irrespective of whether such municipalities may be in different counties, to establish individually or collectively by local law an independent school system; to provide for related matters; to provide for the submission of this amendment for ratification or rejection; and for other purposes.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Article VIII, Section V of the Constitution is amended by revising Paragraph I as follows:

"Paragraph I.

School systems continued; consolidation of school systems authorized; new independent school systems prohibited. Authority is granted to county and area boards of education to establish and maintain public schools within their limits; provided, however, that the authority provided for in this paragraph shall not diminish any authority of the General Assembly otherwise granted under this article, including the authority to establish special schools as provided for in Article VIII, Section V, Paragraph VII. Existing county and independent school systems shall be continued, except that the General Assembly may provide by law for the consolidation of two or more county school systems, independent school systems, portions thereof, or any combination thereof into a single county or area school system under the control and management of a county or area board of education, under such terms and conditions as the General Assembly may prescribe; but no such consolidation shall become effective until approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon in each separate school system proposed to be consolidated. No independent school system shall hereafter be established; provided, however, that any municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, and any municipality which is contiguous to a municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, irrespective of whether such municipalities may be in different counties,  may establish individually or collectively by local law an independent school system."

SECTION 2.

The above proposed amendment to the Constitution shall be published and submitted as provided in Article X, Section I, Paragraph  II of the Constitution. The ballot submitting the above proposed amendment shall have written or printed thereon the following:

"( ) YES or   ( ) NO

Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended so as to authorize any municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, and any municipality which is contiguous to a municipality created on or after January 1, 2005, irrespective of whether such municipalities may be in different counties, to establish individually or collectively by local law an independent school system?"

All persons desiring to vote in favor of ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "Yes."

All persons desiring to vote against ratifying the proposed amendment shall vote "No" If such amendment shall be ratified as provided in said Paragraph of the Constitution, it shall become a part of the Constitution of this state.

Nancy Jester for State School Superintendent and the possible Future of Education in Georgia

Please join Dunwoody resident Nancy Jester for her campaign kick-off! Monday, November 11th, 3:30 p.m. Brook Run Park playground in Dunwoody.

http://www.nancyjester.com

The State of Georgia spends around $20 Billion per year, with more than half of that money spent on education. If you do the math, no pun intended, reason dictates that the State Superintendent has the responsibility to spend more than $10 Billion a year. Not exactly the job for a “Edu-crat.”

Former DeKalb School Board Member Nancy Jester will make her candidacy for Georgia State School Superintendent official tomorrow afternoon in Dunwoody.

Greg Williams of Greg’s List had the opportunity to catch up with Nancy at the Dekalb County GOP Headquarters opening on Sunday, November 10 for a unscheduled Q & A. He had the chance to ask Nancy a few pertinent questions about her candidacy so check out Greg's site.

http://gregslistlive.com/2013/11/10/nancy-jester-for-ga-school-superintendent-exclusive-q-a/

Finally the other big news in education is the DeKalb school board is scheduled to vote Monday on the petition to put Druid Hills High School and six feeder schools under the management of a nonprofit organization. The cluster would operate under its own administrators and board of directors.

If approved by the board Monday and the state board later, the Druid Hills charter cluster will be the first in Georgia.

Read AJC columnist, Maureen Downey for more details.

Dunwoody City Council Recap for October 27, 2013

Everything on the agenda passed as presented with the only changes to the budget being a few minor revenue changes to the positive. We heard of additional delays on the CAD to CAD project, we heard a preliminary report that an independent school system based on Dunwoody's revenue and expenses to be not only feasible if implemented at the current levels but would be running a surplus which could be lowered by reducing taxes or we could reduce the proposed class sizes to improve the services provided. The final report on the feasibility of an independent school system should be available around Thanksgiving and when presented to me I will post. We approved the final contract to the Dunwoody Village Parkway.

Shooting video tonight was hit or miss as I was knocked off for lack of bandwidth a number of times but that being said, there are 7 video segments available here.

 http://www.ustream.tv/channel/dunwoodycc

Former DeKalb BOE Member Jim Redovian discusses the need for strong public schools and has touted the need for a smaller system for years.

Jim Redovian

Being a proponent of public education, I find it difficult to abandon it and look to private schools to be the answer.

Having 11 grandchildren, five of whom have been or are being educated privately, I have seen the terrible financial burden put on a young family to provide such an education. Most families, even if given vouchers to supplement the costs, would not have the financial resources to put their children through private education. Those with more than three children would, for all practical purposes, be shut out completely.

With that as a background, the need to improve and preserve the public sector becomes more and more important.

School systems, like any organizations, have a point at which they function best. These points are marked by: the number of students, the size of the budget, the number of employees, the facilities and the physical area. Any of those, if they become too large, lead to the degradation of efficiency of management.

A system becomes so large that management is forced to move to the middle and distance themselves from the crowd. Understanding of specific and individual needs begin to blur. Contact with decision makers becomes almost impossible, and the student as an individual begins to erode.

On the local level, the everyday professionals in the schoolhouse know the needs of the school community, but are stymied by decisions and directions from the system mountaintop.

Please understand this is not the fault of those on top of the mountain, it is instead the fact that the mountain is too high. I have high respect for the majority of administrators outside of the schoolhouse, and believe they are hard-working professionals. I have always found that to be true. The problem is that you cannot be everything to everyone, and the farther you spread the peanut butter the thinner it gets.

With all that said, although it will be a long difficult road, it is imperative the city of Dunwoody, with the help of State Rep. Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody), continues to aggressively fight to get the opportunity to have its own independent school system.

It’s not seceding from the union, it’s putting the education of all children first. We need to downsize the mountain and make it more accessible. We need more than one member on a school board of nine or seven members that understands our community and needs. We need decisions that affect our community and children being made by administrators that we have access to and relationships with. It would be hard for me to believe that any parent in the county would not desire the same.

Because of a constitutional amendment in the 1940s, that is no longer possible. We must work to change that. It is the only hope for communities to begin to make public education in urban areas workable again. If you look around the state, those systems that operate with 40,000 students or less are in most cases the most successful. They can respond more quickly to problems, hone in on them, and make the corrections needed much faster.

Who knew in the ’40s, when the constitution was amended, that DeKalb County’s school system would grow from 4,000 students to 98,000 students, 16,000 employees and 21 high schools spread over 26 square miles? It is unfair for local communities to be placed in this box. It completely changes the definition of local schools.

A prime example of decisions coming from the mountaintop comes from the decision to build a new elementary school in Dunwoody. It is proposed to close Austin Elementary and build a new, larger school closer to the Ashford Dunwoody corridor. This would mean, of course, that all the students currently attending Austin would have to be bused to the new school, adding even more to the current commute and take away their ability to walk to school.

Someone more aware of the community would easily see the advantage of leaving Austin as it is, and building a new facility closer to the needs.

The mountaintop’s decision is based on financial concerns and not on the desires of the local community. Aren’t we as a community more capable of making such decisions? In a system as large as DeKalb, it is impossible to get to those making the decisions, and even harder to find out who they may be.

There is no perfect solution, but moving to a smaller model has proven very effective.

Should not our whole school board be elected by us?

Prior articles.

 Jim Redovian: The DeKalb school system is too large

 Jim Redovian - "Nepotism found at DeKalb Schools is just the tip of the iceberg."

Jim Redovian is a former member of the DeKalb County School Board. He lives in Dunwoody.