Georgia DOE Finds Enough Funding for Branding Program / Furlough Days Still on Calendar
During the debates that preceded our voting on Amendment One, an amendment to our state constitution that allowed charter schools to appeal to the state when they were denied by local boards of education, Georgia School Superintendent John Barge spoke out against it. He said, "Before we start putting money in other places, I would really like to see all of our kids across the state in school 180 days and teachers at full pay."
Wow. That sounds like a guy who's committed to his cause. Right?
But, then he forgot that.
Because addressing furlough days is not as important as his new project. So far, nearly $60,000 have been spent by the Georgia Department of Education to out-of-state for profit vendor, Voss & Associates from Florida. This branding outreach includes things like flyers and knickknacks with the campaign's logo and they are working on raising more money to have a regular show broadcast on GPTV called "Modern Teacher". The pilot has been done – now they just need more money for this worthy cause.
This is a campaign to highlight all the great things about Georgia's public school. Hey! What happened to that commitment to 180 days of school and teachers at full pay? Does anyone else see the hypocrisy? Kind of makes you wonder how long he's been working on this little project, doesn't it? It kind of makes you wonder where his priorities are too.
Elizabeth Hooper
3:13 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
Debbie, why don't you look into Fulton Science Academy's tax returns and let us know how much they spent on "marketing." They had a full time PR director that we, the taxpayers, were paying for. Charter schools that belong to the Georgia Charter Schools Assoc. don't have to worry about marketing because The Walton Family Foundation takes care of that expense for them. They are just one of the out-of-state "non-profits" that spend money "branding" charter schools as superior to traditional public schools. Alice wants competition doesn't she - competitors have to market their brand. So why don't you bemoan that fact that all public schools, including charters, are now forced to market themselves and defend themselves using tax payer money. That's just the way it will be now. Charter schools and other public schools targeting their customers. Certainly Alice would want "other' public schools to compete and be able to advertise like Walmart does. I think Dr, Barge should be able to compete dollar for dollar with the advertising/PR money that flows to charter schools. May the best advertising program win - not like the spending imbalance of the Amendment campaign. At least take a bit of the blame for starting this mess.
Debbie Pascoe
4:56 pm on Wednesday, November 14, 2012
I'm pointing out the inconsistency of his quote, "Before we start putting money in other places, I would really like to see all of our kids across the state in school 180 days and teachers at full pay" and this new expense. When we have vouchers, then it would make sense to feel a need to compete.
Steely Dan
5:48 am on Thursday, November 15, 2012
You can't preach against the evils of giving tax $$ to out-of-state, for-profit charter companies...and then turn around and support that very action when it supports your agenda.
You're a complete hypocrite on this issue, Mrs. Hooper.
Thanks for all the YES votes your blogs sent to the polls!
No More Bullies
8:38 am on Saturday, November 17, 2012
How about when those out of state, for-profit charter companies get their business in a no-bid process and then the board that hires them hides the contract renewal process from the public? Where is the accountability? Hiring a company to fulfill an organization's board-driven directive (like providing textbooks or school buses) is totally different from turning over all the decision-making processes to a for-profit entity that will draft a budget giving itself a hefty bonus rather than hire a school nurse or lease a couple of buses.
Steely Dan
5:59 am on Sunday, November 18, 2012
There's no difference at all. You NO crowd complained for months that tax $$ going to out-of-state, for-profit companies was bad.
This Voss & Associates project was a blind, no-bid contract that was completely hidden from the public until after-the-fact. It's also a completely-useless expense that won't better the education of a single solitary GA child.
You too are a hypocrite on this issue, NMB.
Common Sense
8:09 pm on Sunday, December 16, 2012
So is it bad, or is it good, Dan? You can't have both. The 'No' crowd complaining about out-of-state profiteers dive-bombing into Georgia to run entire schools is a heck of a lot different than ordering Dell computers across state lines. The last time I checked, Dell doesn't make a SINGLE financial decision for the district. How about CSUSA over at your school? Oh wait, you're the brain behind that disaster. That $1.5 million hole. Now I remember!
Steely Dan
12:32 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
I'm the brain behind what disaster?
and what does Dell computers have to do with a blind, no-bid contract to Voss & Associates?
Common Sense is clearly not so common, as your posts prove time & time again. Put the bong down before you post next time, please.
Common Sense
9:09 am on Tuesday, December 18, 2012
I wish I had a bong after reading your posts. If you'd stop playing on Facebook and the Patch all day, perhaps CCA would be in a better financial situation. Just sayin', DAN(ny).
Kristal Dixon
12:33 pm on Monday, December 17, 2012
Hey everyone! I want to remind you all to please keep personal attacks out of your comments. Thanks!