A Thank You to Superintendent Fuhrey
We have led through trying economic times, education disruptions during a global pandemic, and we’ve grieved the tragic loss of faculty, students, and even one of our own board members, our friend and mentor Almond Turner. So, we’ve been through a lot of highs and lows, calm seas and stormy weather, and you have been a steady captain of this ship and crew.
Do “Politicians” Really Care?
Public servants must listen to the citizens, and then continue honest, constructive leadership conversations that draw us together to work toward an agreed vision for Newton County. Boards and councils cannot make decisions in a vacuum or in a silo. Every individual decision from every board and commission impacts the whole. Newton County is interconnected. As leaders, public servants, we need to be more connected.
Differing Perspectives Do Not Mean One is Right and One is Wrong
I can only see three sides of the Rubik’s cube from my perspective, however, there are three other sides that matter, and one is a mystery to us all. Read how the BOE FY23 budget passes 4-1 and all sides of the cube are heard, especially the Superintendent’s.
Don’t Dip Into Your Savings Account During a Recession
BUT, in our meeting Tuesday, I warned that you don’t dip into your savings account during a recession. Yes, we have a healthy ending fund balance. But with the nation heading into a recession, now is NOT the time to dip into that savings account.
Why Local Politics Matter More
I could scream from the top of my lungs but not be heard on a national level, or even a state level, currently. But, I can certainly stay plugged in, weigh in, and buy in to what is going on locally. And you can too!!!
Gwinnett Teacher of the Year Resigns Stating 3 Major Problems in Schools
Allen gives three big problems in public school:
student apathy and disrespect for school rules/norms
mobile phone usage
a disconnect between administration and the classroom.
A Pearl of Great Value Starts as an Irritating Piece of Sand
You may feel like you are irritating people with your questions and ideas. And maybe you are. But maybe you are also the irritant, the tiny piece of sand, that creates the environment for valuable change to occur. In order for the pearl of great price to be realized, there had to be something initializing and catalyzing the change.
The Last of My Kind : a Moderate Republican Willing to Meet in the Messy Middle
We share more in common than our differences. We all want to see a thriving community and a solid school system. And in order to see that come to fruition, our community leaders must lean in, work together, meet in the messy middle, and make sure the main things remain the main things. That’s my work, the work of a moderate republican…but am I the last of my kind?
An Open Door is not Always a “Good Opportunity”
I believe a K-8th grade Performing & Liberal Arts Academy is an initiative you endeavor when you’ve taken care of the basics in all of your schools and have a few extra dollars in your account because you’ve trimmed expenses in other areas.
If You Only Have $20, You Can’t Spend $30
I believe we need to pay our teachers top-dollar. And if that means we need to scale down our program offerings to the essentials of teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic…then that’s what I’ll advocate for. I believe classroom management and discipline issues are MUCH more important than most of the new programs we are looking at funding. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but I believe we need to get back to the basics and spend our money on the people who are teaching and managing these kids in the classroom.
Bailey to Seek Reelection to Newton County BOE District 1 Seat
Cut me and I bleed ‘Newton County’…in our school system we aren’t where we want to be yet, but we are ready for the challenge. I feel like there is much work to be done.
It is more noble to strike out swinging than to get caught looking.
The ability to have difficult conversations, with mutual respect, often creates a more valuable outcome than if we drew lines in the sand and refused to have productive dialogue.