SCHOOLS AND ZONING

One of my opponents suggested that he was the only one to see the relationship between planning and zoning commissions. NOT TRUE. In my answers at godekalb.com I specifically pointed out the relationship among the board of commissioners, zoning commission, and the school board. Many decisions made by the board of commissioners directly affects the school system. Look at the Sembler project or the current attempt to expand the Toco Hills Town Center. If these projects come to fruition as they were originally planned it will have a major impact on DeKalb county schools. As the board of commissioners continue to create greater density of population in Central DeKalb they put pressure on the schools. If you are a believer in community schools, as I am, you must realize that increased population density can overwhelm schools. In all of the board of commissioners meetings I have attended never have I heard one commissioner mention the impact on the school system. If Sembler had been approved as planned we would be missing 2 schools and a stadium. We must have a meaningful relationship with our zoning and planning boards or we will no longer be able to maintain a neighborhood school system. High population density and neighborhood schools do not mix well. Remember the planning and zoning commissions think about tax revenue and not about the operation of a school system.

SPLOST COMMENTS

Do you know we are already spending SPLOST 3 money? It technically does not become available until January 2009. Did you know that all major funding for school construction and remodeling comes from SPLOST money? Other than a few small repair funds for fixing a broken fan , faucet, etc. there are no other funds available to do major work. When I taught in DeKalb we built a whole school system, constructed buildings, supplemented teachers, and had NO SPLOST funds. It was all done with property taxes and grants. Schools were on a rotation for routine maintenance like painting, roof repair etc. Wow, could we benefit from this if it were in place today. Did you know the county has already projected SPLOST money to be spent that has not even been voted on yet? What do we do if your roof wears out before your school's SPLOST money becomes available? You have to get it from someone else in line that is in front of you on the repair list. Now everyone is pushed back on the list. With an aging system of buildings we are constantly chasing our tail. All this because maintenance was neglected over the years. We are facing some hard decisions about our buildings. 

What a school board member should do

1. I will be a trustee of your tax money,your schools, and indirectly some zoning issues. You need to see a benefit for your tax dollars.

2. I will NOT avoid controversial issues which effect the health of our schools.

3. I will attempt to listen to all reasonable suggestions from ALL of our neighborhoods in our district.

4. Right now there is a disconnect between practicality and theory. After 34 years in the classroom I know what works and what doesn't.

5. School boards often lose touch with how schools are run on a day to day basis. We must find a balance between education and business operations that reflect positively on all our students.

Some professional honors

1. Shamrock High School yearbook dedication in 1986.

2. Coach of the year in baseball 1990 Gwinnett County.

3. President of The Gwinnett County Dugout Club 2000.

4. Who's Who Among America's Teachers 2003-2004.

5. Parkview High School most inspirational teacher 2003.

Biographical and educational background

1. I am a graduate of DeKalb County Schools. I taught at Tucker and Shamrock High. I was hired by James R. Hallford former DeKalb County Superintendent of Schools.

2. My teaching background was quite varied. I taught in the inner city, suburban communities, and the second most diverse school in Georgia where 44 countries were represented.

3. I have a bachelors degree in history and an M.Ed. in education-social studies. Both degrees are from Georgia State University.

4. I am active in the Sagamore Hills Civic Association. I serve as co-chair of the zoning committee.

5. My wife, Melinda, and I have been married 37 years and are members of Smoke Rise Baptist Church.