Should cities be able to create their own school system? (Atlanta: credit, schools)

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by demonta4

One of the issues of the metro area today is the poor handling of schools. This is one reason unincorporated areas are becoming cities. But sould cities be able to create their own school system?

Absolutely not. Having come from a state (Massachusetts) where every little city and town of a few thousand people has their own school system, I can tell you first hand that it's horribly inefficient. One of the huge benefits of coming to Georgia was the larger county wide school system. The larger tax base and student body is a huge difference for the positive.

The duplication and redundancy of having the personnel and infrastructure for each system is huge, and simple things like maintenance and capital projects become harder to do with the smaller budgets and tax bases. You can no longer take advantage of economies of scale and procurement is more expensive.

It may seem like a good idea from the standpoint of local control, but trust me...it's not from a practical perspective. If anyone else on this forum is from one of the New England states where this is prevalent, I'd love to hear your opinion about whether or not you think this is a good idea.

Originally Posted by PKCorey

I hope, we don't go the route of NJ and CT with a new district every couple miles .

Exactly...the whole northeast is like this and it's incredibly inefficient and politically tangled.

[JPD]

I have mixed feelings about this and don't lean strongly in either direction.

The AJC has a pretty solid argument today against new school systems:

Allowing Dunwoody to form its own school district is mistake,... | Get Schooled | www.ajc.com

[arjay57]

If the new law passes and Dunwoody creates its own system, will contiguous cities like Sandy Springs and Roswell be allowed to join in?

If those three hooked up that would be quite a district.

[lastminutemom]

Originally Posted by arjay57

If the new law passes and Dunwoody creates its own system, will contiguous cities like Sandy Springs and Roswell be allowed to join in?

If those three hooked up that would be quite a district.

Yes. They could. But I wouldn't expect that. If what is desired, and from reading and attending a meeting recently, is smaller districts, a merger like that wouldn't achieve the goal.

[arjay57]

Thanks, LMM. That makes sense.

[JPD]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

Yes. They could. But I wouldn't expect that. If what is desired, and from reading and attending a meeting recently, is smaller districts, a merger like that wouldn't achieve the goal.

I'll bet they'll change their tune about "smaller districts" if they ever get the chance to do what Arjay is describing. It's about smaller districts as long as that makes a good talking point, but it'll be about something else once Roswell and SS show them the money. Besides, it'd still be a much smaller school district than Dekalb County.

[red92s]

Originally Posted by JPD

I'll bet they'll change their tune about "smaller districts" if they ever get the chance to do what Arjay is describing. It's about smaller districts as long as that makes a good talking point, but it'll be about something else once Roswell and SS show them the money. Besides, it'd still be a much smaller school district than Dekalb County.

I agree they'd be willing to expand provided that their socioeconomic fences remained intact.

[ChefRamsey]

Originally Posted by red92s

I agree they'd be willing to expand provided that their socioeconomic fences remained intact.

Without demonizing everyone involved, socioeconomic fences in this case also equates to quality and quality of life in school systems. I know it's unfair, but they're just looking out for their children.


My take on it is I have no take. If we do nothing, everyone loses, white, black, rich and poor. If we split them up, the poor minorities in the left behind districts suffer. If we use charter systems or, God forbid, a voucher system, then we put a wet bandaid on a bigger problem.

Being a politician is harder work than most realize.

[cwkimbro]

Originally Posted by lastminutemom

The authors of the law change at that time could not have envisioned a time when 1 in 15 GA children in public school would be in one system (Gwinnett).

As you spot this out.... it worth noting that Gwinnett County is one of the most efficient and well managed school systems around. They take full advantage of economies of scale, have a wide variety of course offerings, and won the Broad Prize. They specifically won the Broad prize for their success at closing the success gap between whites and minorities and between those with different income levels.

The structure of Gwinnett's size isn't something to be scared of.

The real argument people want to make is what happens when a county fails (Dekalb). Can they split off and try to save themselves and leave the rest of the county behind?

[arjay57]

Originally Posted by cwkimbro

As you spot this out.... it worth noting that Gwinnett County is one of the most efficient and well managed school systems around. They take full advantage of economies of scale, have a wide variety of course offerings, and won the Broad Prize. They specifically won the Broad prize for their success at closing the success gap between whites and minorities and between those with different income levels.

The structure of Gwinnett's size isn't something to be scared of.

Is there any possibility Gwinnett will ever wind up going the way of DeKalb and COA? At one point they were both outstanding systems.