Petition for the August 1st Calendar

#376: Guest - Re: Half of these signatures arent even from Cobb County!!! 

 Actually, there are people that live in some of these areas that ARE in fact zoned for Cobb County Schools...this can be found on the Cobb County School District website under the Attendance Zoning section.  Also some of these are employess that work in Cobb County, but may live in Hiram, Dallas, etc.  Check the facts before calling someone a cheater.

#377: Guest - Re: Re: Half of these signatures arent even from Cobb County!!! 

For Example: Vaughn Elementary and Powder Springs Elementary, just to name a couple schools that are Dallas/Hiram, but zoned for Cobb County.  Also, as above said, employees don't necessarily live in Cobb County, but work in Cobb County...and they bring there kids to their schools with them...so it does effect them.  This is on the Cobb County Website under Attendance zoning.

After all the due diligence the School Board went through before initially putting in place the Balanced Calendar, I don't think that it is appropriate for the new Board to overturn it. I would only feel that doing so is appropriate if there was new data presented or new factors brought to light that were not considered in the initial decision. As it stands now, the Balanced Calendar has not been in place even a full year. No conclusions can yet be made about the merits of spacing the year and summers out (as they are in the Balanced Calendar), as it relates to student information retention, absenteeism, etc.

This reversal of a prior Board decision also impacts families who have already made vacation plans in reliance on the calendar dates for 2011-12 previously published. What about these people?

I also read that 84% of the educators in Cobb County support the Balanced Calendar. These people are teaching our children. Wouldn't they know perhaps what is truly best for students' learning?

#376: Guest - Re: Half of these signatures arent even from Cobb County!!!

I don't think that some 250 out of 2960 votes adds up to half!  And this issue impacts many people including teachers that don't live in Cobb County.  All stake holders should have a say on this important issue!  This petition has received more out of County votes than the petition for the "traditional" calendar got votes.

It is unrealistic that students will perform well on exams, or perhaps even be there the days before Christmas. The current winter break also robbs employees time to prepare and partake in holiday traditions with family.

I am really annoyed at the board member's decision. It is now clear that the voices of the people do not matter.

I'm glad someone started this petition. Ppl are stupid for wanting to change the schedule. this schedule is one of the best we've had.

#372: 4 B C - Re: people need breaks? 

 Very well said....THANK YOU...

+70% said YES so not sure why it would have been overturned and not even taking into consideration.

Stick to your commitment of 3 years - then reevaluate!

You asked, we answered, you ignored us! Why? What are your ties to Six Flags and White Waters? I smell something funny here!

My son does SO much better with breaks from school spread out during the year. He gets a week to refresh and goes back with a much more open and ready to learn mind. Please listen to what the people want.

Pls. return school calendar to what it is this year and what it is suppose to be for the next two years. Thank you.

1) Been doing a little research and it seems that Six Flags/White Water was having financial problems before the balanced calendar was in place. Also, Six Flags has reported a revenue increase for 2010.

Six Flags’ bumpy ride prompts exit from ACVB
http://www.amusementinsider.com/forums/showthread.php?2302-Six-Flags-Over-Georgia-General-Discussion

SIX FLAGS ANNOUNCES 20 PERCENT REVENUE GROWTH AND RECORD $22 MILLION ADJUSTED EBITDA FOR THE FOURTH QUARTER 2010
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/news/stock-alert/sxfl_six_six-flags-announces-20-percent-revenue-growth-and-record-22-million-adjusted-ebitda-for-the-fourth--1506940.html

Also, most students who frequent Six Flags on a regular bases during summer break have season passes, therefore the losses are mainly in concessions.

2) After watching the February 9th work session, it was stated by our superintendent that utility expenses were only a small percentage of the annual budget, it cost more to heat than cool a building, and the unpredictable Georgia weather makes it unreasonable to consider utility expenses in the discussion for or against a balanced calendar.

3) Teacher absenteeism was 8700 days less than the previous year resulting in a huge savings to the county.

Don't understand why these new board members were so rushed to return to the traditional calendar, or why they neglected to take the opinions of their own superintendent and those of the teachers, parents, and students they serve.

BRING BACK THE BALANCED CALENDAR!!!

"You asked, we answered, you ignored us! Why? What are your ties to Six Flags and White Waters? I smell something funny here!"
Check your pants.

If you know something, say it - else grow up or shut up.

#366: Kari Lieber - Calendar 

 You are right.

And if you paid any attention, the final decision was made at the school board meeting.

#372: 4 B C - Re: people need breaks? 

 You poor baby.  Bless your heart.

#373: Stefan Shook - Petition for the August 1st Calendar 

 hey einstein,

4 board members ran on pledges to change the calendar away from the balanced calendar.

the voters elected them.

then the board did exactly what it said it was going to do - if elected.

#328: Angela Cowan - Aug 1 start date 

 angela,

the board that put in the balanced calendar was replaced partly because they put in the balanced calendar.

 

#330: Marsha Boyd - Abuse of power 

 laughingstock in regards to Cobb has come to represent Holli and her immature clan of clown teachers.

#55: Sue - Voter Fraud 

 Sue is exactly right.

Like the ballots used in November where people were asked to vote (in some cases) for candidates that favored balanced calendar or not.  Those that did not support the balanced calendar - won in all cases and have followed up on their promise.  Good for them.

#65: Lynn Rossi -  

 no

you elect representatives to make the decisions

#81: shakes head - people need breaks? 

 i know dats right

#9: Ericka Graziosi - Give us back the Balanced Calendar 

 how exactly did they "help themselves"?