Category Archives: VBOE

The school systems don’t want to consolidate —WALB

Jade Bulecza wrote for WALB today, School systems oppose consolidation
Two south Georgia School systems don’t want to consolidate.
Hm, they noticed yesterday’s VBOE meeting with its statement and today’s LCBOE meeting with its resolution.

Almost as interesting is what they don’t mention. CUEE is not named; it’s just “a citizen group”. And there’s no mention that both meetings were full of FVCS people opposing consolidation, and not one single CUEE member willing to speak up for it. Less than two months ago, both WALB and WCTV named both groups and used words like “Talks Heat Up” (WALB) and “Showdown” (WCTV). What’s changed, TV media?

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FVCS @ VBOE 29 August 2011

You can see them inside during during the reading of the statement and after the vote. Many of them spoke during Citizens to be Heard; video to come of that. Here they are outside afterwards:

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VBOE voting to oppose school consolidation 29 August 2011

The Valdosta Board of Education voted tonight 8 to 1 for a statement opposing school system consolidation.

As she said she would, Jeana Beeland voted no. That’s eight to one for the statement against school consolidation.

Here’s the video:


VBOE voting to oppose school consolidation
education, referendum, consolidation, statement,
Work Session, Valdosta Board of Education (VBOE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 29 August 2011.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

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Why I’m going to vote against the motion —Jeana Beeland @ VBOE 29 August 2011

A motion and a second were heard on the statement just read by Vanassa Flucas. Jeana Beeland spoke up, talking about how proud she was of the school system and how it has grown; she went to VHS; her children are in the system, and “I know it’s serving them well”.
And my greatest fear is that I will come to you so biased because I know that the school systems not consolidating for the next few years is what’s best for my child….

More transcription after the video:


Why I’m going to vote against the motion —Jeana Beeland @ VBOE 29 August 2011
education, referendum, consolidation, statement,
Work Session, Valdosta Board of Education (VBOE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 29 August 2011.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

But there are so many people involved in this issue…. And I
Continue reading →

Valdosta School Board statement against school consolidation

Chairman Lee asked Vanassa Flucas to read the statement the board was about to vote on regarding school system consolidation:
The Valdosta City School Board opposes consolidating the Valdosta City and Lowndes County school systems at this time. The board feels that a decision to merge the two systems should be a collaboratively planned effort between the two school boards, the citizens of both the city and the county, along with those who have the best interest in educating all the children of our area.
Statement text continued after the video:


Valdosta School Board statement against school consolidation
education, referendum, consolidation, statement,
Work Session, Valdosta Board of Education (VBOE),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 29 August 2011.
Videos by John S. Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

The Valdosta City School Board is proud of our school system. We have an organization that
Continue reading →

VBOE voted to oppose school consolidation

The Valdosta Board of Education voted tonight 8 to 1 for a statement opposing school system consolidation. Here are some still pictures.
Update 10AM 30 August 2011: Video to come of the board statements and vote is now available (see below).

Chairman Lee asked Vanassa Flucas to read the statement.

The statement Ms. Flucas read is on the VBOE website LAKE video is now available.

The Valdosta City School Board opposes consolidating the Valdosta City and Lowndes County school systems at this time. This Board feels that a decision to merge the two systems should be a collaboratively planned effort between the two school boards and citizens of both the city and county, along with those who have the best interest in educating all the children of our area.

The Valdosta City School Board is proud

Continue reading →

5.a. The process has not been followed. —James Wright @ VCC 25 August 2011

Council Wright again said proper legal process had not been followed.
The local school boards that are responsible for this burden should have sent a motion to the state board of education asking for it [a feasibility study on consolidation]. That has not happened.
He called the state board of education and the Valdosta Board of Education and no feasibility has been done.
The process has not been followed.
…
This is the law.
…
This is in black and white.

Here’s the video: Continue reading →

Valdosta Board of Education considers consolidation tonight

This is a rare local government body that has their agenda online in web-accessible form (rather than entombed in a PDF). Tonight’s agenda includes this item:
17. A. Consolidation/board position – Mr. Lee – action required
Also this item:
18. B. Public forums on consolidation will be held Sept 8 (VHS PAC), Sept 20 (VMS) and Oct 25 (JLL) from 7-8:30 p.m.
I wonder will these be real forums, or the sort of fake forums VLCIA and CUEE have foisted on the community? CUEE’s Kick-Off meeting had no opponents speak, took questions only in writing, and conveniently didn’t get to Rev. Rose’s question of what would consolidation do to improve education. LAKE has published videos of the whole thing.

The only real dialog I’ve ever seen about education around here was was the one held by the Lowndes County Democratic Party 2 May 2011. LAKE has published videos of the whole thing.

According to the VBOE web page tonights meeting is: Continue reading →

5.a. First time I’ve heard some of these arguments —Deidra White @ VCC 25 August 2011

Council Deidra White wondered what would be the repercussions if council took more time to decide this issue, since this was the first time she had heard some of these arguments.

Attorney Talley said he wasn’t sure what the timeline was to prepare ballots.

Um, maybe he should talk to the Board of Elections.

Manager Hanson said there are different sections of the Constitution that might apply.

Attorney Talley noted that the Home Rule Act did not apply, even though it was cited in the petition, since the school system charter is not in the City of Valdosta charter; it’s a separate pact.

Manager Hanson noted qualifying for city elections is next week, so Continue reading →

5.a. We’re not actually going to deny, are we? —Tim Carroll @ VCC 25 August 2011

Rather heated discussion as Tim Carroll seemed incensed that Sonny Vickers thought consolidation proponents had a hidden agenda. He mentioned Rusty Griffin, Walter Hopgood, and George Bennett.
It just bothers me when I hear “hoodwinked”.
Carroll repeatedly mentioned the number of citizens who had petitioned asking to put the referendum on the ballot. He said there might be issues between CUEE and VBOE, but not with city council.

Here’s the video:


5.a. We’re not actually going to deny, are we? —Tim Carroll @ VCC 25 August 2011
petition, education, referendum,
Regular Session, Valdosta City Council (LCC),
Valdosta, Lowndes County, Georgia, 25 August 2011.
Videos by Gretchen Quarterman for LAKE, the Lowndes Area Knowledge Exchange.

-jsq