June 30, 2012
Youth
A9
CrossRoadsNews
“With the layoffs, the loss of money for employees – it’s a double whammy for them.”
Teachers favor higher tax over furloughs at millage rate hearing By Carla Parker
Some DeKalb teachers said they would rather have their taxes raised than get more furlough days. The teachers and their union, the Organiztion of DeKalb Educators, told DeKalb School Board members at a June 28 public hearing about a proposed millage rate increase, that they support the 1 mill increase that would cost the owner of a $100,000 house $27.50 more a year in property taxes. The millage increase would raise $14.8 million in revenues for the school district. The school board voted 5-4 on June 21 to raise taxes for the first time in 10 years. It is facing a projected $85 million shortfall for its 2012-2013 operating budget of $760 million. School officials blamed the projected shortfall on a 9 percent drop in assessed property values, increasing health care costs, and rising fuel and utilities expenses. The approved budget included more than $77 million in cuts including two extra furlough days for teachers, which brings the total teacher furlough days to six for the 2012-2013 school year.
Timothy Davis, a teacher at Stone Mountain Middle School, told the DeKalb School Board that he is in favor of the 1 millage rate increase.
Timothy Davis, a teacher at Stone Mountain Middle School, said he is supporting the millage increase with reservations. “The less we earn, the less we can do and that means the less taxes,” he said. In a letter to School Superintendent Cheryl Atkinson before the hearing, Arabia Mountain High PTSA presidnet Tanya Graham said the furlough days will eat into the teacher’s pay checks, costing some up to
Singer Peabo Bryson offered a few tips to 14-year-old Thomas B ass, who plays the guitar, at the “How Big Is Your Dream?!” music camp.
Noted crooner drops in on camp By Carla Parker
Romantic crooner Peabo Bryson dropped by the “How Big Is Your Dream?!” music camp on June 27 at the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center in Decatur and offered valuable tips to some of the campers. The two-time Grammy award winner offered a few tips to 14-year-old Thomas Bass, who plays the guitar, and suggested that a group of girls who were trying to out-sing each other, to harmonize instead. “It’s not a competition,” he told them. Bryson, who lives in Atlanta, dropped by the center to support his drummer and producer, Jorel “JFly” Flynn who launched the “How Big Is Your Dream?!” Foundation
in March 2011. The month-long camp, offered by the foundation, opened June 4 and ends on June 30 with a free “Matinee Music” concert in which campers will showcase some of what they learnt. The non-profit foundation promotes, educate and develop youth to excel in music. Campers received instrumental and vocal training, lessons on lyric and rhymes writing, rhythm section ensemble techniques, Latin rhythms, percussion, and logic dance. Campers were rehearsing for Saturday’s performance when Bryson showed up. Doors open at noon on Saturday for the Matinee Music which starts at 1 p.m. The Porter Sanford Center is at 3181 Rainbow Drive in Decatur.
Junior academy teaches police skills Young people who live in Rockdale County can get a glimpse into the world of law enforcement during the Conyers Police Department Junior Police Academy in July. The educational academy, which takes place July 16 to 20 in the department’s training room at 1194 Scott St., is for youths ages 14 to 20 years old. During the daily sessions, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., participants will learn about the various divisions of the CPD and self-defense techniques, and identify fingerprints in a mock crime scene. The Rockdale County Sheriff’s Office will assist with a tour of the Rockdale County Jail and the Georgia State Patrol will participate
in a session to teach students about teen traffic laws and alcohol awareness. The free academy is limited to the first 20 applicants who meet the requirements. It culminates with a graduation and cookout on July 21. Chief of Police Gene Wilson said that the law enforcement field is one that “fascinates” young people. “The knowledge they can soak up firsthand from our officers, Explorer Unit may be the key to introducing them to a career in law enforcement,” he said. Applications are due by July 10. For more information, contact Sergeant Peggy Dunn at 678-374-5603 to request an application.
$2,000 for the year. She asked for full public disclosure of all DeKalb County Board of Education expenditures that survived the budget cuts, especially the third party vendor contracts. “It is about time that we citizens clearly see the entire picture of how funds will be spent in the event that the millage rate increase does not get the 5 votes necessary to pass, and additional cuts must be made,”
she wrote. “Instead of possibly rescinding any new teacher contracts, the School Board just may want to consider rescinding or modifying some of those third party vendor contracts before making any further cuts to students, teachers, and schoolhouses.” ODE president David Schutten urged the school board to move forward on the millage rate increase. “With the layoffs, the loss of money for employees – it’s a double whammy for them,” he said. School district chief financial officer Michael Perrone said that even with the higher millage rate, the school system will take in less money from property taxes than previously. For 2012, the district’s 22.98 mills generated $395 million. He said the proposed 23.98 mills for 2013 will generate $365 million because of the lower assessed values of homes. The school board will vote on the millage rate increase at its 6 p.m. meeting on July 9. Its final public hearing into the millage incease takes place at noon that day in the Administrative and Instructional Complex, 1701 Mountain Industrial Boulevard in Stone Mountain.
‘Mature Plus’ project targets teens Teens can learn to build healthy relationships at a “Mature Plus Summer Project” healthy relationships skills camp in July. The camp which is hosted by nonprofit More than Conquerors Inc., will be held in Conyers. From July 9 to 13, teens ages 14-19 will get lessons in life skills. For July
16-20, they will have classes in communication, conflict resolution, violence prevention and financial management. The camp meets weekdays 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at 1309-A Milstead Road. Lunch and snack are included. For more information, call 770-483-3299, ext. 202, or email Tina Thomas at tthomas@mtcimp.org.