Intense budget cutting leads to green solutions
- 2/5/10
- Categorized in: DeKalb News, Education
There might be a silver lining in the heavy budget cutting at the DeKalb County School System.
Now, it seems, students might get a greener school district because it saves money.
Amid several plans to cut more than $56 million from the school district budget this month, Superintendent Crawford Lewis included several green measures he said could save the district nearly $2 million yearly.
One of the more complicated cost-savers is a plan to move the district to a four-day work week between June and July. District officials would work 10-hour days. Construction programs would be exempted, however. The plan could save the district up to $100,000 yearly, according to district data.
The district’s plan to incorporate green initiatives began before the district announced its cuts, said Tiffany Nowlin, the district’s textbook coordinator and co-chair for its environmental council.
While the measure is not a energy-saving initiative, the district is investigating the possibility of purchasing only biodegradable lunch trays instead of those made of plastic foam.
“That’s something that’s really on the hot list for students and teachers,” she said.
The district also plans to adopt various conservation programs, including the mandatory shut-off of classrooms lights and the installation of new energy-saving light bulbs. Those programs could net the district up to $1 million yearly, Lewis said.
The district has also purchased a computer management system that will shut off all 32,000 district computers at 8 p.m. daily, saving the district nearly $250,000 yearly.
Lewis released three budget plans last month that included $11 million in program cuts, including pre-kindergarten and magnet programs, and $14 million from school-level staffing. Only one plan does not include a millage increase. The board also released a fourth plan at the request of school board member Gene Walker that included a 2 mill tax increase, netting the district an extra $40 million.
Walker’s increase would save all proposed district program cuts.
http://www.cbsatlanta.com/news/22538074/detail.htm...
STONE MOUNTAIN, Ga. -- The investigation into a teacher accused of child molestation and rape began years ago, but parents are just finding out about it now.
Stephenson Middle School Spanish teacher Rafer Lamar Grier is in jail, charged with four counts of aggravated child molestation and one count of statutory rape. Court documents said Grier had sexual relations with a girl under the age of 16 in January and April of 2008.
Grier was indicted nearly a month ago, but he was still teaching at Stephenson until he was arrested on Feb. 5.
“What is most shocking to me is that these allegations surfaced in December of 2008. It was brought to the attention of the principal of the school, the allegation of child molestation, and apparently nothing was done to stop it,” said an anonymous parent who had a daughter in Grier’s Spanish class at Stephenson.
DeKalb school officials said they knew about the allegations against Grier, but did not know he was arrested until CBS Atlanta News told them Wednesday.
Parents with children at the school said they’re disturbed that they’re just finding out about the allegations now. Other parents who wished to remain unnamed said the school knew about the allegations of molestation and rape long ago.
“There was a note given to the principal that said this teacher was a child molester in 2008,” said the parent, whose daughter was in Grier’s class. “If this person was indicted in January and they’re still teaching in February, there’s a problem.”
DeKalb County School Officials declined numerous requests for an interview.
They said over the phone that they run background checks on employees every five years, but there is no way for them to know if someone like Grier was charged or arrested unless someone comes forward and tells them.
It is not known if the young girl Grier allegedly had sexual relations with is a student.
Grier has worked for DeKalb schools since 2000. His next court appearance is set for Tuesday.
They probably would save the most money by issuing vouchers to allow parents to send their children to private schools where they can get an education. This will raise the SAT scores dramatically. I am personally tired of Georgia schools being rated 49 out of 51. We also them to spend money but we don't get value for our money.
It is time that the entire school board was elected by the people. They should have an immediate 50% salary cut. And they should figure out how to do what is needed without robbing the residents of Dekalb county after they robbed us. When is the District Attourney going to act in the fraud issue?
For more green classrooms have students sit out side on the grass,to save on AC in the Spring.. just provide them with more bottle water to drink donated by the local Wall Mart.