Mon
Feb 18 2013
03:42 pm
Roane County Schools / Roane County Commissioners - collision
By: swanpondresident

(link...)

RCN reports denial of budget request by RCS officials. Amendment denied, There are necessities which the school must fund:

1) unemployment costs
2) Liability insurance
3) Janitorial expenses
4) Truancy expenses

“We have commitments to pay the unemployment. We have commitments to make that payment to the county for the truancy. We have to pay liability insurance and we also have to pay the increased janitorial expense.”

The County Commission, 6 votes for amendment, 5 pass (no vote), 4 no votes including one in my District.

What is it that Commissioners do not understand with regard to education? If our education suffers, so does our community; plain and simple. If we can waste money on other expenses (don't get me started on that subject), why can we not allow our schools the funds they need? Voting "NO", are you kidding? Maybe a vote "no" to re-election of those folks who fail to support education by by educational leaders and their families may make a difference.

I just don't get it. I, for one, have no children in the public school system but you can bet I would easily pay a tax hike to give the schools as much funding as they need. It is the cause and effect of funding which equals increase in education, increase in property values (due to excellent schools), state of the art educational equipment in all schools, services for all children whether they be on an accelerated program, regular program, or in special education.

For a commissioner to make the comment that they are on a fixed income and would not support a tax hike, maybe that same commissioner should be reminded, "It is NOT about YOU; it IS ABOUT YOUR CONSTITUENTS." Maybe that same self-centered commissioner is serving because of the benefits commissioners receive (pay and excellent benefits) v. actually serving the needs of his community and district!

Commissioners voting "yes", thank you for voting "yes" and I will be calling my one voting "NO" commissioner. I think it is time for him to retire!

Our world is flat due to globalization, our students must be able to compete on a global basis. If our kids are not educated to the maximum levels possible by our school system, our America, our County, will fall further behind. Commissioners, what is it that you don't get about this? It is proven fact, not a new revelation.

Topics:

Please, who voted no?

Submitted by onetahiti on February 18, 2013 - 5:20pm.

The article is behind the RCN out-of-state billionaire owners' pay wall.

-- OneTahiti

Votes

Submitted by chelsea on February 18, 2013 - 8:55pm.

Commissioners Copper Bacon, Berry, Randy Ellis, Nick Forrester, Chris Johnson and George Nelson voted for the amendment.

Ray Cantrell, Bobby Collier, Benny East, Carolyn Granger and Steve Kelley passed.

Voting no were Brummett, Jerry Goddard, Stanley Moore and Fred Tedder.
****
My question is why these numbers were so far off in the original budget? I think everybody knows these are items the BOE is obligated to pay, but they owe the taxpayers (via the County Commission) why they were so far off on the numbers.

From a quick conversation

Submitted by WhitesCreek on February 19, 2013 - 7:09am.

From a quick conversation with one commissioner, it seems that the sins of the past are catching up with us. Bond issues were made years back that are now due, adding to the cash burden of current operations. Let's all try to find out more.

bonds

Submitted by swanpondresident on February 19, 2013 - 8:35am.

Is this a county issue or a school issue? Whose bonds? County / School?

The Schools would not be asking for funding if they did not need funding.

Back on my rant!

Now is a moment to seize from an educational standpoint. Since 2000 when the Chinese joined the WTO, massive amounts of Americans have lost their jobs. Since 2000, the Chinese wages have more than doubled since 2000.

In light of the rising costs in China, many US companies are beginning to look at their homeland to bring jobs back.

Our Commissioners need to understand the opportunities facing us. Yes, there is a protection of the almighty budget(s) required yet Americans may not get a second chance.

Investing in our children through education to bring those kids up to speed in order to improve their skills ( math, science, & Technology), is necessary. We have enough unskilled workers to fill the service industry (fast food, etc). What we need is $$$ going directly into our Schools to deliver the highest quality of education.

A common election platitude, "jobs", is almost laughable as there is not a plan to deliver the jobs outside of service. Yes, we can hope industrial plants will select Roane County but without the educational workers (skilled workforce) to fill those jobs, without strong schools to attract business to our community, we will again fall behind.

Roane State is a gold mine for our region. Roane County Schools are the stepping stone to Roane State.

In my opinion, our Commission need not be the just the banker with a firm hand. They must understand globalization and recognize every possible penny must be made available to help our children excel to the highest levels to meet the needs of a free-trade economy.

The hosiery mill is not coming back to Harriman and it doesn't matter how successful it was back in 1950 --- we need to prepare for what is available now and in our very near future.

Roane County School Board Mtg - Thurs., 10/21/2012

Submitted by swanpondresident on February 19, 2013 - 1:55pm.

The School Board Meeting is at 7:00 p.m this Thursday, 10/21/2012

Should be rather interesting.

An aside about the hosiery mill

Submitted by onetahiti on February 19, 2013 - 2:53pm.

I knew there was a mill in Rockwood, but haven't heard of the one in Harriman. Does anyone know its name?

-- OneTahiti

2

Submitted by chelsea on February 19, 2013 - 4:00pm.

There were two actually, if memory serves me. Roane Hosiery and Burlington. Surely some others out their can confirm or correct me.

Chelsea

Submitted by onetahiti on February 19, 2013 - 4:04pm.

Thanks! :)

-- OneTahiti

You're correct, Chelsea

Submitted by RoaneBooster on February 20, 2013 - 6:39pm.

There were other mills in Harriman, but two hosiery mills.

RB

Comment viewing options

Select your preferred way to display the comments and click "Save settings" to activate your changes.

Eco warriors and politics

Science and stuff

Lost Medicaid Funding

To date, the failure to expand Medicaid / TennCare has cost the State of Tennessee ? in lost federal funding.

Sponsors