Fairhope, Alabama
EDUCATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
The mayor and city council unanimously appointed six citizens to the new committee: Gretchen Schapker; Henry Clark; Jim Kellen; Robert Riggs; Julia Sumerlin; and Karen Mullens. The new members have prior experience as teachers, principals, superintendents or assistant superintendents.
Councilman Kingrea said he and Stankoski (both are committee members as well) tried to get "as professional a group as possible" and denied again the committee was being formed solely to establish an independent Fairhope school system.
Kingrea: " ... there's nothing further from the truth ... this has nothing to do with that ... ."
"We want to look to see how we can improve our schools ... if we can ... thats our sole goal."
"I envision (the committee) meeting with Dr. Lee and Bob Callahan ... to come up with a joint mission statement ... then come up with a list of recommendations about how schools could be improved ... and how much (it) will cost."
Kingrea said the council would then "put it to the citizens (voter referendum) ... do you want to spend X number of dollars to get these improvements in our school system?"
"Ultimately its going to be up to the citizens of Fairhope about how the money is to be spent."
BALDWIN SCHOOLS FACING BUDGET SHORTFALL
Councilman Stankoski called it "a balanced committee with a lot of talent."
Stankoski: " ... we can't just bury our heads in the sand ... while state education budgets are being cut ... problems on the horizon with class size, equipment, labs, etc."
"We would be remiss as a city if we didn't come forward in a pro-active way to see how we can make our schools better."
Councilwoman Quinn, noting that other cities (Gulf Shores) are now being asked to provide funds to cash-strapped Baldwin schools, called it a "good first step."
Quinn: "They're coming ... ."
The mayor and city council unanimously appointed six citizens to the new committee: Gretchen Schapker; Henry Clark; Jim Kellen; Robert Riggs; Julia Sumerlin; and Karen Mullens. The new members have prior experience as teachers, principals, superintendents or assistant superintendents.
Councilman Kingrea said he and Stankoski (both are committee members as well) tried to get "as professional a group as possible" and denied again the committee was being formed solely to establish an independent Fairhope school system.
Kingrea: " ... there's nothing further from the truth ... this has nothing to do with that ... ."
"We want to look to see how we can improve our schools ... if we can ... thats our sole goal."
"I envision (the committee) meeting with Dr. Lee and Bob Callahan ... to come up with a joint mission statement ... then come up with a list of recommendations about how schools could be improved ... and how much (it) will cost."
Kingrea said the council would then "put it to the citizens (voter referendum) ... do you want to spend X number of dollars to get these improvements in our school system?"
"Ultimately its going to be up to the citizens of Fairhope about how the money is to be spent."
BALDWIN SCHOOLS FACING BUDGET SHORTFALL
Councilman Stankoski called it "a balanced committee with a lot of talent."
Stankoski: " ... we can't just bury our heads in the sand ... while state education budgets are being cut ... problems on the horizon with class size, equipment, labs, etc."
"We would be remiss as a city if we didn't come forward in a pro-active way to see how we can make our schools better."
Councilwoman Quinn, noting that other cities (Gulf Shores) are now being asked to provide funds to cash-strapped Baldwin schools, called it a "good first step."
Quinn: "They're coming ... ."
Comments
Just in case you thought there wasn't anyone paying attention.
12th grade in one building...never a single problem. Yet these people act like 6th graders would be beating up their little 1st grader everyday on the playground. Crazy. But anyway, enough with the committees already...DO something...like maybe figuring out where the $10,000+ per student per year in taxpayer money goes. That's a quarter of a million dollars allocated to educate 25 kids for 9 months. Say the teacher makes $50,000...I'd love to see the breakdown on where the other $200,000 goes for just ONE class.