Opinions

PERCEPTION IS REALITY AND POWER IS PORK

Opinion columns are just that…one man’s opinion; therefore, take that into account as you read this. At the same time, be advised that the writer, unlike many of those who agree, or disagree, with some of the opinions expressed herein, has no axe to grind.

This is about the Franklin County School System. We have no children or grandchildren in the system. We have no spouse, children, cousins, in-laws, or relatives (legitimate or otherwise) involved in the system in any way. We have no business ties or economic interests in the system. We have no real estate or products of any kind to sell the system.

Lastly, and most importantly, we have no plans to run for office.

Up until the publication of this opinion, we assume we have friends on all sides of the current controversies regarding Franklin County schools. That may change.

Why, then, be interested, you might ask. More interested, apparently, than the majority of the citizens (especially parents of schoolchildren) in Franklin County.

Perhaps it is because we have this crazy notion that development of the minds and character of our children is more important than the roads and drainage and landfills and zoning and…you name it….that can pack commission meetings, while school board meetings are generally orphans.

Perhaps it is because, as taxpayers, we are concerned about the sixty percent of our ad valorem taxes that go to education. How is it spent?

And what about the Special Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) we voted for schools? There have been questions concerning the board’s phrasing on the ballot and the publicity they put out to get us to approve it? Are they complying with the voters’ intent when they appropriate SPLOST money for capital improvements (i.e. the new middle school)?

In short, it is MONEY that interests us. And integrity. These are always related issues.

Another major issue is PERSONNEL. In a small rural school system such as ours, the Board of Education is not only the biggest business money-wise, but it is also the largest employer in the county. Our county is no exception.

Money and jobs. And politics. Don’t forget politics. Not unlike other BOE’s, those are the driving forces in our public education system.

When the word "politics" is mentioned, the immediate response is negative. That is sad. Politics is people. If it is dirty, it is because most of us are too lazy to get off our duffs and clean house.

(We are still, after five years in this county, looking for that mythical "THEY" who are screwing us so abominably. "Well, what can you do? ‘THEY’ are going to go ahead and do what ‘THEY’ want to." An actual quote, repeated many times)

Now for the nitty gritty questions that have been haunting the Franklin County School System for the past few years:

NAME YOUR FAVORITE COMPLAINT……..

Land purchase for new middle school? New middle school? New elementary school at Carnesville? Reuse of old middle school for grades 4-5? Bussing of fourth and fifth graders halfway across the county? Need for a separate 4-5 school? Selection of school principals who are spouses of present and former school board chairmen? Board members’ spouses as teachers? Selection of the curriculum director? Old folks having to pay school taxes? We have heard it all…we think.

Did we leave anything out?

Oh yes, almost forgot. "THE SUPERINTENDENT". Never saw such a love/hate relationship. Teachers. School employees. Some "Boosters". Surprisingly, even a few wide-awake parents

Most of those who express an opinion about the superintendent either love him or hate him. The middle ground is narrow. Same with the middle school/Carnesville Elementary dispute.

The truth? Whatever you perceive it to be. Perception is reality.

Meanwhile, the clock is ticking, and the BOE is getting nearer to a decision on renewing the Superintendent’s contract and building the new middle school. School Board meets second Thursday of every month. (The holidays may change the January schedule.)

Whatever the schedule, "THEY" will be there, and so, God willing, will "WE". If YOU should decide to come, don’t be surprised by the action (or inaction) of your elected officials.

Anything of importance may be decided behind your back. What do you think "executive" sessions are for? Remember the universal axiom that politics is power, often exercised in secret. Can you say "Sunshine Law?"

And power is pork, no matter how you slice it.

If you don’t care to attend or to get involved in that dirty game called "politics", just wait awhile. In the near future you will wake up long enough to hear that both the superintendent’s contract extension and the new middle school, both of which many of you have vocally opposed, were a foregone conclusion.

Then you can once again say, "Look what ‘THEY’ did this time."

(In case anyone catches a glimpse of "THEY", please try to get us a picture. We would love to publish it.)

 

(This paper is here to serve the community. Your comments, on this, or other subjects, are welcome, through our "Letters to the Editor "section. ed.)