You presented the problems we all understand well. So what is your solution? I don't get your purpose unless it is to draw attention to the dilemma that is being worked on by all.
We cannot allow the Columbia County Board of Education to treat our children as just numbers! Rezoning for the new high school should not be a course of action to address the issue of lower test scores and the academic standings of the schools. Rezoning needs to be about the quality of education that our children will receive. ...
I challenge residents go to the county school Web site to review the proposed rezoning of our high schools, and the report card for each school. Then voice views against or for rezoning to show that our children's education is important, and children should not be considered mere numbers to balance high school enrollment.
I have researched county and state Web sites to compare the schools in question. I have found that the 2007 graduation rate for Columbia County was 81.4 percent; Greenbrier High was 86.9 percent and Harlem High was 68.8 percent, a difference of 18.1 percent. All the graduation rates, in my opinion, are not acceptable. They need to be addressed, and a course of action should be prepared and implemented so that we will not lose 18.1 percent of students.
Statistics prove that Greenbrier is performing academically higher than Harlem. Greenbrier's SAT scores are 137 points higher than Harlem's. Harlem has received state awards for their AP teachers and students; unfortunately, this will only help those students enrolled in the gifted program, which represents only a small percentage of the student body. What about the rest of the student body? Harlem also has a great drama club, which is only helpful to those students who want to pursue a career in the performing arts.
And even if you do not have any children in the school system, the proposed rezoning will change the resale value of your property.
Patricia Kissinger, Grovetown
Comments
You presented the problems we all understand well. So what is your solution? I don't get your purpose unless it is to draw attention to the dilemma that is being worked on by all.
There is a real issue with student performance, but it is not related to zoning. In the Greenbrier district there is likely a higher percentage of parents who have completed high school, and also of those who have post high school education. Statistically if a child's parents did not complete high school, they are much less likely to complete high school than the general population. Certainly the schools should strive to educate and assist all students. However, a great deal of the responsibility is with the parents. At best it is difficult for schools to make up for what is lacking at home. I don't have a good solution for this, as we cannot regulate who has children. All men are created equal, in the eyes of God. Unfortunately not all graduate from high school. What is your solution, other than zoning?
Parents need to take an active interest in the rezoning issues if they did perhaps more attention would be paid to the quality of education our children should be receiving but are not. The bottom line is that the rezoning more often than not is to the benefit of the representatives in the local, county and state rather than the child.
Patricia - it's all about sports. Nagle and crew do not want their precious Greenbrier to move up to 5A classification and compete with the biggest boys on the block and not be able to win state championships in baseball and softball. They don't want to travel to Atlanta to play. They will do any and everything to keep Greenbrier 4A. Their goal is to move all the schools up to or keep them down to 4A classification and have their own region in this area. Children's academics and moving kids around like chess pieces on a board mean nothing to them. It's all about sports. The rumor mill has it that Holder is out at Greenbrier and Matthews is out at Lakeside for next year.
RM, I believe the lady has said that the CCBOE needs to address the differences in graduation rates in these schools as well as being as low as they are and find solutions to correct them. If I had a child in Greenbrier, had boght my house so they could attend that school only to have my home/child rezoned into a lower performing school, I would be raising hell at those meetings myself.
Lady, they don't re-zone for your benefit, or your children's benefit, or to raise your property value.
Rezoning is a fact of life in Columbia County folks. When you have neighborhoods popping up like crazy, you must build more schools for the students. If you want to get mad at someone, get mad at the builders and the planning commission who lets them keep building. Rezoning is NOT about sports- that's just stupid. Have you tried to walk the halls at Greenbrier? If you went once during class change, you'd see why they have to build new schools. It's unreal the amount of students in the halls. EVERY school in Columbia County is a good school. In a few years Grovetown and Harlem High Schools will be the "schools to be at". People are moving that way. Get over it and support your child's change, move, or put your child in private school.
The Augusta Chronicle ©2012. All Rights Reserved.
