CSD Launching "Save Our Schools" Campaign
Decatur Metro | December 16, 2008Facing a $2 million dollar deficit thanks to unfulfilled promises from the Georgia Capitol, Dr. Edwards and CSD are fighting back against the “austerity cuts” in public school funding that have been in place since 2002. According to the AJC, these austerity cuts have cost the city $2.7 million since ’02.
The “Save Our Schools” public information campaign comes in a time when CSD is attempting to grapple with the $2 million shortfall going into the next fiscal year. Things are so tight, that even teacher layoffs have been mentioned.
Well, I can’t fault Decatur about not being proactive. All school systems across the state are currently feeling the pinch, but CSD is the first in the state to show that it refuses to just rollover. Hopefully other school systems will join the initiative soon.
The AJC article talks about a public information packet for the public. Hopefully I can get my hands on a copy when it becomes available.
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Gotta wonder how much we’re all paying for this campaign???? and who is running it??? Is this the best way to spend CSD money???
Am I missing something, or is this campaign hopelessly overwrought? The article says Decatur has lost $2.7 million in grants from the state since 2002 — that’s barely more than $500,000 per year for 2003-07. The shortfall this year of $2 million is about 5% of the city’s $37 million general fund. That’s not nothing, to be sure, but hardly the end of the world. And it’s not all from a lack of state funding — some of it stems from declining property taxes. Is “save our schools” anything but a scare tactic?
nobody interested in answering my earlier questions, eh?
i think it’s important to know how much this campaign is costing… who is putting out this public info packet?
I recommend taking a look at the priorities of state government reflected in the state budget. Very important local educational programs are being cut. The need for an educational campaign is obvious to me.
Rick: not denying the need for this — i just want some facts. Who is running this campaign? How much does it cost?
Makresident, CSD does external communications all the time — their website, yearly report, PR, items sent home via the kids, etc. I never hear anyone asking for a line item accounting of those activities.
If they see it as potentially advantageous and need to get the word out, how is it any different from those other, routine efforts?
I’m not being critical of your question. I really don’t understand the distinction.
If this is part of the regular outreach that’s fine. To me it sounded bigger than that — more of a lobbying effort and it sounds costly. i hope you are right and this isn’t extraordinary. i just want some facts