Fairhope, Alabama
APPLICATIONS NOW BEING REVIEWED
Councilmember Stankoski said that he and Councilmember Kingrea would review the 12 applications received for membership on the new Educational Advisory Committee -- and make recommendations to the full council for filling the six vacant slots, possibly as early as the next council meeting.
Stankoski: "... (we) have been in contact with the Baldwin County Board of Education regarding the committee make-up and jointly developing a mission statement for the EAC. The goal is to have the EAC work with the BCBE to make Fairhope schools and the feeder pattern as good as we can possibly make them. ... the EAC should act in concert and cooperation with Dr. Lee and the BCBE. The EAC is not being formed as a subterfuge for a movement to establish a Fairhope City School System."
HIGH QUALITY APPLICANTS
When asked by a Times reporter, Councilmembers Quinn, Kingrea and Stankoski said they were satisfied with the quality of the applicants overall.
Stankoski called it a "good group" and Kingrea said that while he wished there had been more applicants, the quality is "extremely high."
Councilmember Quinn called many of the applicants "well qualified," but worried some applied only because they distrusted the group's mission.
None of the applicant's names have been made public.
POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES DISCUSSED
During the work session prior to the meeting, councilmember Mixon wondered about the committee's mission statement and what would be the funding source for recommendations the committee may someday propose.
Mixon: "Where are you going to get the money."
Stankoski said he envisioned the committee itself coming up with its own mission statement and any recommendations that it ultimately makes that require spending "significant" tax dollars should be ratified by taxpayers (voter referendum).
Stankoski: " ... if you are talking about significant money ... (we) need to hold a referendum ... I don't want to make a decision to spend tax dollars without approval by tax payers of the city."
Kingrea agreed, saying later he considered city funding of schools to be "outside the norm," usually provided through school boards, and the citizens should decide where any "discretionary funds" are spent.
Kingrea: City funding of schools is outside the norm for most school districts; funding is normally provided through the board of education, whether county or city. While I believe the education of our children ranks among the top, if not the top, concerns of our citizens, the City is responsible for a number of other costly issues, debt reduction, infrastructure repairs, etc.; therefore, the citizens should determine where any discretionary funds are spent.
APPLICATIONS NOW BEING REVIEWED
Councilmember Stankoski said that he and Councilmember Kingrea would review the 12 applications received for membership on the new Educational Advisory Committee -- and make recommendations to the full council for filling the six vacant slots, possibly as early as the next council meeting.
Stankoski: "... (we) have been in contact with the Baldwin County Board of Education regarding the committee make-up and jointly developing a mission statement for the EAC. The goal is to have the EAC work with the BCBE to make Fairhope schools and the feeder pattern as good as we can possibly make them. ... the EAC should act in concert and cooperation with Dr. Lee and the BCBE. The EAC is not being formed as a subterfuge for a movement to establish a Fairhope City School System."
HIGH QUALITY APPLICANTS
When asked by a Times reporter, Councilmembers Quinn, Kingrea and Stankoski said they were satisfied with the quality of the applicants overall.
Stankoski called it a "good group" and Kingrea said that while he wished there had been more applicants, the quality is "extremely high."
Councilmember Quinn called many of the applicants "well qualified," but worried some applied only because they distrusted the group's mission.
None of the applicant's names have been made public.
POSSIBLE FUNDING SOURCES DISCUSSED
During the work session prior to the meeting, councilmember Mixon wondered about the committee's mission statement and what would be the funding source for recommendations the committee may someday propose.
Mixon: "Where are you going to get the money."
Stankoski said he envisioned the committee itself coming up with its own mission statement and any recommendations that it ultimately makes that require spending "significant" tax dollars should be ratified by taxpayers (voter referendum).
Stankoski: " ... if you are talking about significant money ... (we) need to hold a referendum ... I don't want to make a decision to spend tax dollars without approval by tax payers of the city."
Kingrea agreed, saying later he considered city funding of schools to be "outside the norm," usually provided through school boards, and the citizens should decide where any "discretionary funds" are spent.
Kingrea: City funding of schools is outside the norm for most school districts; funding is normally provided through the board of education, whether county or city. While I believe the education of our children ranks among the top, if not the top, concerns of our citizens, the City is responsible for a number of other costly issues, debt reduction, infrastructure repairs, etc.; therefore, the citizens should determine where any discretionary funds are spent.
Comments
Their answers have been very vague.
No qualifications for participants stated, no mission statement or stated goal, no specific term of service, the list goes on and on and on.
There is absolutely no need establish this committee other than to placate the Good2Great group - who seem to be the only people in town who can get the attention of the council.
I'm getting ready to get their attention when I vote.
The purpose of the committee has been made perfectly clear over and over again, watch the videos.
Its to find out just what is needed in Fairhope-area schools, and make recommendations to the Mayor and council about what to do about it.
The city already heavily subsides local Baldwin County schools by providing abundant recreational facilities.
It makes sense that the members should have experience in the education field.
They are meeting with principals and teachers on a regular basis. They have open lines of communication not only with those educators but with the BCBOE.
A fact that cannot be claimed by Ms. Brewer or Good2Great.
The EAC was proposed by Good2Great supporters and was endorsed by members of the council who are on record as supporting the Good2Great proposal.
This fact that Mr. Stankowski and others are compelled to continue to deny that the proposed EAC is not being used to lay groundwork for a city school system makes me even more circumspect.
what harm could the committee do?
what harm could the committee do?"
Because this is a ruse...and a lie.
Spoken like a true government (union) employee.
Afraid you may be out of a job? Which would mean no more union dues...which would mean less money to the democrat party. What a shame...
Class sizes are too large here in Fairhope. Something needs to be done.
God bless them all.
The rich elitists can send their kids to private schools if they want to, but it isn't necessary.
Don't worry...I will continue to pay my taxes so your child can have a "free" education